Australian children’s group The Wiggles has come under scrutiny for its lack of diversity.
The popular band, which was formed in 1991, features an all-white lineup, including Emma Watkins, 30, Lachlan Gillespie, 34, Simon Pryce, 34, and Anthony Field, 57.
And in the wake of the Black Lives Movement, some parents have urged the group to set a better example by recruiting a black member.
Lack of representation: Children’s group The Wiggles has come under scrutiny for its lack of diversity. Pictured (L-R) Lachlan Gillespie, Anthony Field, Emma Watkins and Simon Pryce
Much of the criticism appears to be coming from American parents, not Australians.
One person tweeted this week: ‘We’re watching the Wiggles this morning and I’m surprised by the lack of diversity and stereotypical gender roles for a current children’s show. What’s going on in Australia? Back to Sesame Street!’
Another wrote: ‘My daughter loves the Wiggles. Can y’all get some black wiggles together for her?’
A third commented: ‘Watching the wiggles with Moo I wanna turn it off because it’s no black ppl. On here but she’s dancing so hard.’
One Twitter user said they had ‘stopped watching The Wiggles as a child’ because of the lack of diversity.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted a representative for The Wiggles for comment.
‘What’s going on?’ In the wake of the Black Lives Movement, some parents have urged the group to set a better example by recruiting a black member
Members: The popular band, which was formed in 1991, features an all-white lineup, including Emma Watkins, 30, Lachlan Gillespie, 34, Simon Pryce, 34, and Anthony Field, 57
‘Can you get some black Wiggles’: Much of the criticism on Twitter appears to be coming from American parents, not Australians
Jeff Fatt, an Australian of Chinese descent, was the group’s only non-white performer but he retired in 2012.
Meanwhile, The Wiggles have been going ahead with their work commitments despite the coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday, the band live-streamed a concert from the Sydney Opera House.
Previously: Jeff Fatt, an Australian of Chinese descent, was the group’s only non-white performer but he retired in 2012. Pictured on December 23, 2012 in Sydney
Anthony, Emma, Lachlan and Simon were joined by guitarist Oliver Brian as they performed their songs to an empty auditorium as fans tuned in around the world.
The performance was part of the From Our House to Yours live-streamed concert series organised by the Sydney Opera House.
In March, ‘Blue Wiggle’ Anthony told The Daily Telegraph that the group planned to use live streaming as a way to entertain fans during the COVID-19 crisis.
‘With the current situation around the world, we are looking at different ways of bringing our shows to audience, and live streaming seems to be a perfect solution,’ the 57-year-old said.
‘It helps people who are staying at home to still be part of a Wiggles live event, even if that live event is coming from our studio,’ he added.
In March, The Wiggles announced that its Fun and Games Tour would be postponed.
‘Hello everyone – as the situation with coronavirus is ever evolving and recommendations are changing on a daily basis, we have now made the decision to postpone the remaining Sydney shows,’ the band wrote.
Show must go on! On Sunday, the band live-streamed a concert from the Sydney Opera House