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Thandi Newton has been on our screens for quite some time, most notably being her breakout performance in the cult classic, Beloved. Since, she has balanced her career with other movies, cementing her as a household name.

But believe it or not, that household name has been wrong this whole damn time.

Imagine your employer dismissing a part of your identity for over 30 years *eye roll*

Well, that's what's exactly happened to her, except her employer is Hollywood. And because of it, Thandiwe Newton is reclaiming her name on the cover of the May issue of British Vogue, where she reveals that the long-credited spelling of her name as "Thandie" is incorrect.

The misspelling goes back to her first onscreen credit when the "W" in her name was "carelessly missed out."

30 years later, and Thandie is reclaiming her professional name as Thandiwe Newton.

"That's my name. It's always been my name. I'm taking back what's mine."

And rightfully so, with Newton now insisting on the "W" being included in her name, which, ironically, means "beloved" in Shona, the language in Zimbabwe, where her mom is a princess.

"I find that acting takes more and more away from me because I'm more connected to myself than I've ever been, whereas before I was delighted to get an excuse to go off to another personality. I couldn't wait to get away from myself, truly, I had such low self-esteem. Acting was where I felt whole."

But now, sis is accepting no less than just being herself.

"The thing I'm most grateful for in our business right now is being in the company of others who truly see me. And to not be complicit in the objectification of Black people as 'others,' which is what happens when you're the only one."

Oop.

"Wherever I position myself now, I don't want to be part of the problem, I want to be part of the solution. I'm not for hire anymore. I'm not going to speak your story or say your words if I don't feel they could've come from me."

Gather them, Thandiwe!

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Featured image by taniavolobueva / Shutterstock.com

 

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