While denying claims about “colorist” jokes about her ‘Martin‘ character “Pam,” actress Tichina Arnold alleged that her best friend and former castmate Tisha Campbell experienced “reverse colorism.” Now, she’s issuing an apology.
Ari Lennox Alleges Colorism Embedded In 90s Sitcom ‘Martin,’ Still Bothered By Martin’s Jokes About Pam
Arnold’s commentary arrived during an interview on Deon Cole’s ‘Funny Knowing You’ podcast. During the the sit-down, Cole brought up singer Ari Lennox alleging the jokes Martin Lawrence‘s character “Martin” made on Arnold’s character “Pam” was rooted in colorism.
In August 2025, Lennox spoke out after receiving backlash for criticizing the “colorist” “Pam” jokes on ‘Martin.’ Lennox claimed the jokes “Martin” made about “Pam” still pisses her off today. She insisted, “It’s just some things where I draw the line and it just bothered me.” She explained:
“The thing that pissed me off about Martin was how much he was goin’ in on Pam and this is coming from a girl who loves a joking a** movie and even when the joking movie is like ‘Damn, that was f**ked up.’ There are some things where I draw the line. Pam was so f**king beautiful and so fine and I just feel like growing up as a chocolate girl, I don’t even know if I was able to understand the greatness of Pam.”
Following backlash over her critical comments about the iconic show, Lennox doubled down, but also clarified that she had no ill intent. A few days later, Lennox then shared criticism of Bernie Mac’s stand up jokes. She claimed some of his special jokes made her feel uncomfortable. She again received backlash.
Tichina Arnold Shuts Down Ari Lennox’s Colorism Claims About ‘Martin’ Jokes, Also Alleges Tisha Campbell Experienced ‘Reverse Colorism’
While speaking with Deon Cole, Tichina Arnold shut down Ari Lennox’s colorist claims. She laughingly explained that the jokes started off-camera with Lawrence noticing she had beady beads in the back of her head. From there, she claimed the writers would incorporate their off-screen digs into the show.
As Arnold denied facing colorist jokes herself, she alleged Campbell faced “reverse colorism” on the show. She claimed that the audience didn’t take well to Campbell, insinuating it was because she was light-skinned and playing Lawrence’s love interest. She said:
“It was out of love. That’s just what we did. It had nothing to do with color. Like even with Tisha, what people don’t realize that reverse colorism happens as well. And I remember Tisha, she would cry sometimes.
It would be so bad because we had a live studio audience and the girls, the Black girls, would come in and they were there for Martin. You know, Def Comedy Jam and stuff — it was that kind of crowd that would come to our shows. And they would laugh so hard. They would bang on the floor. Like, it was just crazy from the laughter of the audience.
The whole first season, every time Tisha would walk out, all you hear was [imitates grunting and moaning]. They would not laugh at her jokes. They treated her horribly. I was treated fine because, you know, you would think there would be me because I’m going back and forth with him, but no, they did not want Martin having a girlfriend. She just so happened to be light-skinned.
The way we used to crack on Tisha about being light-skinned… Oh my God, it was bad. So, we have jokes, but my relationship with that show was never, ever, those, those jokes were never written for malice. It was written from who’s got the best jokes — never about colorism.”
Since her commentary on Cole’s podcast, Arnold is now apologizing. On Thursday (January 8), she posted a video on Instagram with her on-screen sons and ‘The Neighborhood’ co-stars, Marcel Spears and Sheaun McKinney. In the video, Arnold said:
“Listen, we all have opinions, we all have our right to opinions, but, we also have responsibility. So, when I misspeak, I like to apologize for that because you’re never too old to learn. So, I made a statement on Deon Cole about reverse colorism. I was speaking too fast, just speaking from experience, but I never ever want to insult anyone for no reason and I misspoke. I spoke too soon. I asked my TV sons how they felt about it and they corrected me. So, I stand corrected and my apologies for anyone who mistook what I said. But, it wasn’t in the spirit of which I said. I just misspoke.”
Arnold, Spears, and McKinney continue to clarify that she was speaking to her own “experience of witnessing prejudice against a lighter-skinned person.” Speaks and McKinney went on to explain that it’s a result of colorism, and not “reverse colorism,” to which they claim is “not a real thing.” Arnold added, “Trust me, I’ve been through colorism all my life. But, I misspoke. Sometimes when I do interviews, we talk, I got a big mouth, so I say stuff and it just…yeah. But, I am never, ever, ever too old to learn. I’m 56, but I still look good!”
In the caption, Arnold wrote:
“My apologies to all that I have insulted regarding my #ReverseColorism statement. We all have opinions but we all have a responsibility to each other as well. I want to be an POSITIVE example who brings people TOGETHER, not DIVIDE them. I will always hold MYSELF accountable first and foremost.”
Tisha Campbell replied under Tichina Arnold’s post and reassured her. She said, “I love you Tichina! ❤️ keep shining Tee I will always have your back. Your heart is pure and your intentions were too.”
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