Vas J Morgan EXCLUSIVE: TOWIE star accuses show of ‘systematic racism’ in impassioned statement

Vas J Morgan has lashed out at TOWIE bosses in an impassioned statement, in which he details his experiences as the sole black male on the set of the reality show.

In a lengthy missive exclusively shared with the MailOnline, the TV personality, 31, accuses bosses of the ITV2 show of practising ‘systemic racism’, by forcing him to stereotypical story arcs and failing to support him through his personal battles.

Vas, who was on the show from 2014 to 2018, also takes aim at the series’ social media team, who he claims deleted his posts from their Instagram account, after he defended the Black Lives Matter movement amid the worldwide civil rights protests.

Speaking of his social media experience, Vas wrote: ‘I want to address a recent incident that has not sat well with me. It began with a post on the @Towie instagram account that was in support of the black lives matter movement.

‘It read “We stand in solidarity with our black colleagues, storytellers and viewers around the world because #blacklivesmatter”.

‘I was saddened but not shocked to see many racist comments from fans and viewers and felt the need to respond to one comment in particular that read “white lives matter ALSO”. I simply replied “this comment is idiotic”.

‘While I don’t believe that I am responsible for educating other people on racism or the meaning of the black lives matter movement, it is fundamental to understand that until black lives matter, all lives can’t matter.

‘While I have been conditioned to expect uneducated comments, like the one above I was deeply saddened by what happened next.

‘My response was deleted within minutes. I posted another message, this time writing “@towie why are you deleting my”. within minutes this too was deleted.

‘I then took this off the public forum and direct messaged the account asking why my comments were being deleted but racist ones were still there; They responded “Hey Vas, I’ll delete that comment now, I’ve only just seen this so not touching your comments.”

‘At the time I was going to let this go but its something that has been on my mind for the past few days. Because its tantamount to black voices being oppressed and silenced while they still left the racist comments.’

‘This incident was reminiscent of similar experiences whilst filming The Only Way Is Essex,’ he said, before going on to detail the challenges he allegedly faced.

‘While I have always been proud to be one of the only black and gay reality TV stars on British Television, I have often felt conflicted over the way I was treated and the way I was portrayed,’ he said.

‘During the four years I filmed the show, I was almost never allowed to show any sides of my personality that wasn’t angry, aggressive or negative.

‘And while I repeatedly asked producers to allow me to show other sides of my personality; my funny, sensitive and loyal side, I was consistently put into situations that perpetuated the same racial stereotype that has been used to oppress and control black people.

‘I often warned producers that I didn’t feel comfortable arguing with women as regardless of my sexuality; I was a 6.2 feet tall black man. This concern was always ignored.’ 

He continued: ‘Countless times I’ve been in environments where I’ve had to endure racist language being used casually. The fact that it wasn’t directed at me doesn’t make it less painful to hear.

‘It was often said to me and I felt that I was the token representation of minority in our cast, there to be paraded out as a symbol but never treated equally to the other cast members and despite having some of the most progressive and talked about scenes on the show, my story ark was never nurtured the way that my white counterparts were.

‘The invitation to bring family members on the show was never extended to me and when I came out publicly on national television and struggled offscreen with depression, substance abuse and addiction I was never offered support in the other ways my white cast mates were.

‘Even now, during this time of global recognition for the black lives matter movement; Towie have failed to reach out. I would have appreciated having someone to hold my hand through some of those difficult journeys but I was left alone.’

Explaining his reasons for speaking out about his experiences now, Vas conceded: ‘I have felt guilty for not sharing this part of my journey sooner.

‘But like so many other people who are dependent on those in power, the fear of being blacklisted within my industry and never working again has always held me back.

‘The experiences I had on the show are part of the systematic racism that for the first time has had a spotlight put on it on a global scale. This systematic discrimination starts from the top down.

‘From leadership positions within the network, to the writers room, to our day to day producers. During my Time at Towie. I only ever worked with one black producer.

‘Out of the dozens of producers I worked with; I never met one black executive, writer or anyone in a significant position of power.

‘As the show approaches its 10 year anniversary it has made me think how disappointing it is to have been the only black male cast member.’

Concluding his statement on a positive note, the TV personality wrote: ‘While I am telling my full truth, it is also important to add that I have worked with some incredible people as well. 

‘People who have become some of my greatest friends and supporters; Luke, Paul, Hetal, Mesha, Anthea and Kate. As a network, as a show and as a society, we must do better.’

MailOnline has contacted representatives for TOWIE for comment. 

Vas’ statement comes after he revealed that he has raised more than £20,000 in under 12 hours to help give members of black communities better access to mental health services. 

The star launched the initiative I Am Enough on Go Fund Me on Monday, with the likes of Paris Hilton, Joan Smalls, Nadia Essex and football player Ben Chilwell all donating.

In a recent exclusive chat with MailOnline, Vas, who is now two and a half years sober, shared his own journey with mental health and how, with help, he faced his own personal trauma head on after a failed suicide attempt. 

Vas set up the fundraiser after the tragic death of George Floyd, who was filmed choking to death after white police officer Derek Chauvin, pinned the 46-year old to the ground by pressing a knee into the back of his neck. 

The television personality said: ‘I decided to set it up because of everything that is going on right now. It has been very traumatic for me because it has brought up a lot of feelings of low self-worth and self-esteem because of the colour of my skin.’

The I Am Enough campaign will help members of the black community access the help they need to deal with trauma and other mental health related issues.

The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) found black men were more likely than their White counterparts to experience a psychotic disorder in the last year. 

‘I did some research and realised that black people are at a significantly higher rate of mental health issues which in turn leads to not only mental health issues but criminal activity,’ the TINGS Magazine editor said.

‘I wanted to release something that was preventative and to help give black people the resources they need. I want to teach children at a young age, they are enough, they are valued and important.’ 

Vas went on to explain how trolling on social media impacted his mental health, often being subjected to racial hate after he joined the cast of TOWIE in 2014.

‘I wasn’t aware of how intense the scrutiny of social media is, I was trolled quite early on and a lot of it was racial actually,’ he said. 

‘I also was struggling with my sexuality which I had difficulty coming to terms with. I was out drinking every night, partying every night. I didn’t realise it was a problem until I started having severe suicidal thoughts around three years ago.’

Vas said these thoughts soon began to take over and he found himself asking “what am I living for?”. 

‘I woke up in a very dark place one morning and I realised enough was enough. There was a suicide attempt that day,’ Vas said. 

The reality star was admitted to hospital and when he was released got in touch with his best friend, Topshop heiress, Chloe Green.  

Chloe, 29, took matters into her own hands and booked Vas on a flight to Thailand, where he spent four months in rehab.   

‘It was in that time I realised drugs and alcohol wasn’t the problem,’ Vas said. ‘It was me and the trauma I had suffered that was the problem.

‘The trauma of coming out on national TV and not being accepted by my mum. 

‘The trauma of being black. The only black on a national TV show and in my world, generally. It was very difficult.

‘Dealing with all that stuff and learning I am enough and I am perfect the way I am made me realise I didn’t need drugs and alcohol. 

‘That wasn’t my problem, it was what I thought was my solution. When I realised I didn’t have a problem that needed solving other than learning to love myself, it started my sober journey. It’s been an amazing journey.’

Vas continued: ‘We all suffer, we all feel the same. That’s the beautiful thing to learn. 

‘We are never alone, there is someone out there who is feeling the exact same way. That’s what my platform is I Am Enough is all about.’ 

Speaking about the thousands of pounds already raised, Vas said: ‘It’s crazy. At 1am in the morning I decided to start this. I woke up to £12,000 being in there and now I have over £20,000.

To donate visit: www.gofundme.com/f/i-am-enough-fund