Today in a Hollywood minute, Amanda discusses Octavia Spencer. The Oscar-winning actress from Alabama, and Amanda’s alma mater Auburn University, had made some “scandalous” comments about racism in Los Angeles. During a recent appearance on the podcast WTF with Mark Maron, she talked about her upbringing in Montgomery, Alabama, and how racism played a part in her life. When asked if the area was “heavy” for the actress she mentioned that while southern history is intense, everywhere is pretty heavy. She stated that racism and race rights in the 60s and 70s predated her and she didn’t remember those things as she was growing up. She also said that racism hardly affected her growing up, adding that “she felt more racism when I first moved here [Los Angeles] than I ever ever had in Alabama.”

Spencer also discussed the movie ‘The Help’ which she won an Oscar for. While other stars from the film have mentioned their regret for participating in it, Spencer said why should it be regretted? Why can’t the story be told? In society today its like “we are scrubbing the history books.” And while the actress was unsure if the movie would be made today, she did say she still thinks it should it, because it tells a real story about real people who made a contribution to society that wasn’t rewarded.