Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Arrested Development star David Cross responds to allegations of racism

Actor-writer Charlyne Yi recounted the experience which allegedly took place ten years ago

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 18 October 2017 09:51 BST
Comments
Anglophile: Cross has produced sitcoms for UK TV
Anglophile: Cross has produced sitcoms for UK TV (Getty Images for The New Yorker)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

David Cross, star of hit comedy series Arrested Development, has responded to allegations of racism made by actor-writer Charlyne Yi.

Yi recounted her experience of first meeting Cross - best known for playing Tobias Funke on the sitcom - a decade ago claiming the comedian made repeated racial remarks.

In a series of tweets, Yi wrote: “He made fun of my pants (that were tattered because I was poor). Dumbfounded I stared at him speechless and he said to me ‘what’s a matter? You don’t speak English?? Ching-chong-ching-chong'.“

She continued: “Then after he saw I was offended he asked me if I was going to fight with him karate in a southern accent.

“Then a few years later he was re-introduced to me after my comedy show with his girlfriend at the time & he said ‘Hi nice to meet you’.”


Cross responded to the accusations, writing: “This seems crazy and WAY out of character for me,” before adding: “Charlene, I don't remember this at all! It’s bonkers to me and WAY, way out of character. DM me so I can understand all of this [sic].”

He later posted a statement expressing his surprise at the allegation.

“I would never intentionally hurt someone like that,” he wrote. “I am NOT accusing Charlene of lying and I'm truly sorry if I hurt her [sic].

“I can't believe I have to write this but I am not a racist nor a bully and loathe them in real life.”


Yi - most recently seen in David Lynch's Twin Peaks revival - will appear in James Franco's The Disaster Artist alongside Dave Franco and Alison Brie.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in