For Good Podcast with Joseph "JoJo" Simmons

Episode: The Fight for Representation in Hollywood: Natasha Ward-Shaw on Colorism, Confidence, and Change
Guest: Natasha Ward-Shaw
Date: October 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of For Good dives into the battle for authentic representation in Hollywood with trailblazing casting director, producer, and acting coach Natasha Ward-Shaw. With over 21 years in the entertainment industry, Natasha shares her journey from culinary student to industry power player, her relentless fight against colorism, and her commitment to uplifting Black women, especially dark-skinned Black women, in leading and meaningful roles. The conversation, anchored by host JoJo Simmons’ own experiences with public scrutiny, career pivots, and mental health advocacy, explores issues of self-worth, legacy, industry resistance, and the power of faith and community in personal and systemic transformation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Natasha's Journey to Hollywood & Multifaceted Career

• Turning Point Story (03:16–05:20): Natasha’s unexpected entry into casting: moving to LA for culinary school, her sister connects her to an internship on "Fat Albert," which snowballs into a career.
  • “I went from a casting intern in four weeks to an assistant ... then casting director, then consultant, ... producing ... then coaching.” — Natasha Ward-Shaw (04:29)
• Wearing Many Hats (05:47–08:07): She thrives as casting director, producer, and coach, linking each role through the lens of service, confidence, and leadership.
  • “What feels natural is whatever I happen to be doing that day.” — Natasha (05:48)
  • “I like being a boss ... call the shots, put out fires. That excites me.” — Natasha (06:12)
  • On confidence: “That confidence goes a long way.” — Natasha (08:07)

The Power (and Fight) of Representation

• Changing the Narrative (12:31–14:34): Natasha describes actively diversifying projects, like the indie film Loco, where she transformed an all-white cast into one led by a Black actress, Jeffrey Maya.
  • “I came over, changed the lead to a Black girl ... I was able to add another maestro, another supporting role, to be Black. ... Representation matters.” — Natasha (13:32)
• Why Representation Matters (10:17–12:30): She seeks to cast realistic, everyday diversity rather than stereotypical or surface-level “classic beauty.”
  • “What do I see when I go to Target? ... When I turn on my TV, I don’t see it.” — Natasha (10:31)
  • Breaking through isn’t easy: “It’s hard to break those molds ... but you gotta break through.” — Natasha (11:24)

Colorism and Systemic Barriers

• Persisting Barriers (16:58–17:56): Despite industry conversation around diversity, colorism and exclusion of dark-skinned Black women in leads persists due to doubts about marketability.
  • “Because they don’t think they’re going to make their money back with a Black face as the lead... Especially Black females, we are the strongest force out there, you know, and without us, stuff is going to crumble.” — Natasha (16:59)
• Industry Pushback (18:09–19:39): Studios and networks enforce coded decision-making and recalcitrant “numbers,” making every win a hard-fought battle.
  • “They have different numbers they go off of ... their algorithm is totally different ... I’ve been told no more times than I’ve been said yes to, but it’s still worth the fight.” — Natasha (18:13)

The Emotional Toll & Building Confidence

• Colorism’s Impact on Talent (21:57–23:51): Natasha coaches actors through the mental toll of systemic rejection and colorism.
  • “Sometimes, when I coach, it’s like a therapy session ... their immediate thought is, ‘Oh, I ain’t going to get this—they gonna give this to their white boy or their homie.’” — Natasha (21:58)
  • Encourages self-belief despite arbitrary barriers: “Your looks are your looks ... That’s why I said from the beginning how confidence is so important.” — Natasha (22:48)

What Real Change Requires

• Beyond Casting: Systemic Shifts (19:39–20:35):
  • More Black people in positions of power at every level, telling their own stories, making decisions, and opening doors for real equity.
  • “It’s having more of us in those leadership roles, us being able to tell more of our stories ... there’s a stockpile of stuff that needs to be told.” — Natasha (19:42)
• Mutual Support:
  • Both agree: representation is not about tokenism, but about giving deserving, talented people opportunities that reflect real society (20:35–21:22).

Healing, Self-Care, and Personal Joy

• How Natasha Refuels (24:36–25:42):
  • Grounding in faith and family: marriage, motherhood, cooking, community, and giving back.
  • “Believing in God is number one ... But family life is great ... I’m just a cool, chill, laid back, ... always gonna greet you with a smile.” — Natasha (25:02)

Vision for the Future

• The Hollywood of Tomorrow (26:28–28:29):
  • Dreams of normalized, rich diversity, more Black women in leadership, the “open lane” that disruption (and even A.I.) creates for fresh approaches and underdog talent.
  • “I want us, empower Black women to be respected. ... Now is a great time to make the shift.” — Natasha (26:32)
• JoJo's Hope (28:30–30:38):
  • “A good story is a good story, no matter who’s casted.” — JoJo (29:17)
  • He resists the label of “Black movie” vs. “regular movie,” stressing storytelling for all, with dreams of less separation and more togetherness.

The Power of Joy

• Championing Black Joy (30:59–31:57):
  • Natasha aims to build her legacy on stories of love, family, happiness, and, yes, a little horror, not just struggle. “I want to celebrate us.”
  • “I want that smile to never fade.” — Natasha (31:40)

Staying Hopeful

• What Keeps Her Going (32:10–33:14):
  • “The actors, the talent that I work with, the dreams that I help building. ... I root for you. I want you to win because we all win.” — Natasha (32:12)

Advice for Listeners

• Wisdom to Live By (33:25–33:54):
  • “I wake up every day and say I’m blessed to be a blessing.”
  • “Never put a question mark where God put a period ... keep moving. ... you are doing your calling. Just keep going.”

Current Projects & Inspirations

• Upcoming Projects (34:06–35:34):
  • Producing, including a Lauryn Hill project, collaborations with friends, and an award-winning short film about a Dominican girl and Haitian guy’s love story.
  • Joy in working with her husband: “To slowly make a difference and change.”
• What Inspires Natasha (35:48–36:32):
  • “You’re inspired by working with your husband ... That’s very inspiring to find somebody that you love that also loves what you love.” — JoJo (36:11)

Mental Health & Daily Practices

• Daily Routine (37:02–38:10):
  • “As soon as I wake up, I go straight to the Bible ... before I check anything else ... I start with God. ... it helps seriously get me through ... It always helps me center and come back to one.” — Natasha (37:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the power of casting directors:
  • "Not only did I make the lead girl, the love interest, the lead, the whole movie about her, I was able to add another supporting role to be black." — Natasha (13:33)
• On industry resistance:
  • "Because they don't think they're going to make their money back with a black face as the lead. ... We are, especially black females, we are the strongest force out there, you know, and without us, stuff is going to crumble." — Natasha (16:59)
• On the toll of colorism:
  • "Sometimes it’s like a therapy session ... I have to warm you up to the fact that you’re just amazing. ... The no’s aren’t based on their talent ... Your looks are your looks." — Natasha (21:58)
• On hope and vision:
  • "It is now an open lane for anyone to kind of come in and reshape how we cast movies, how we shoot movies, where we shoot them at ... because it’s open. It is wide open." — Natasha (26:47)
• On letting joy lead:
  • "I want to celebrate us and our voices ... So I tend to lean more into the love and the happiness and the family." — Natasha (31:09)
• On legacy:
  • “I wake up every day and say I’m blessed to be a blessing.” — Natasha (33:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:16] Natasha’s Hollywood origin story
• [05:47] Her many roles and what feels most natural
• [10:17] Why representation matters, breaking away from “classic beauty”
• [12:31] Transforming Loco through bold casting
• [16:58] The economic roots of colorism in casting
• [18:09] Hard pushback from studios and sticking to the fight
• [21:57] The psychological impact of colorism on talent, and Natasha’s nurturing approach
• [24:36] Self-care through faith, family, and community
• [26:28] Hopes for a changed Hollywood
• [30:59] The centrality of joy, not struggle
• [32:10] What keeps Natasha hopeful
• [33:25] Advice for listeners: “Blessed to be a blessing”
• [34:06] Exciting upcoming projects and the joy of partnership
• [37:02] Her daily mental health regimen: faith first

Tone and Takeaways

Warm, honest, and empowering, this episode highlights Natasha’s unwavering advocacy for marginalized artists, her belief in the healing power of community, and her conviction that true change starts within — but must ripple outward to transform industries and legacies. JoJo and Natasha’s chemistry cultivates a space for vulnerability and hope, leaving listeners with actionable inspiration: lead with confidence, champion each other, embrace joy, and keep moving forward — for yourself, and for those coming after you.

Listen if you’re seeking:

• Insight into Hollywood’s real power structures
• Strategies for resilience against systemic bias
• Faith-driven approaches to mental health and personal growth
• Genuine celebration of Black women’s power and artistry
• Blueprints for change at every level — from the makeup chair to the executive suite