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Halle Berry praised for refusing to ignore black reporters on 'John Wick 3' red carpet

Halle Berry attends a special screening of "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Halle Berry attends a special screening of "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

A black entertainment reporter has thanked Halle Berry for taking extra time to be interviewed by her on the red carpet, despite being ushered away by her publicist.

The reporter referred to the 52-year-old Oscar winner as “a leader and a queen” for speaking to her.

Read more: John Wick trailer includes Matrix reference

Emerald Marie, a reporter from Where Is The Buzz TV, said she was the only black woman on the carpet at the premiere of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum and was stood next to Logo TV reporter Lamar Dawson - the only black man present.

In a video posted to her Instagram page, she explained that she and her friend were told by a publicist that there was no time for Berry to chat to them.

Noticing them, however, Berry doubled back and said “I can't skip my brother and sister” before granting them their interview.

“Oftentimes, black reporters and black outlets are pushed to the end and unable to get the proper interview that they need,” she said.

“Well tonight, Halle Berry interviewed with everybody.”

Read more: John Wick director opens up about Crow tragedy

Marie became emotional when telling the story and said she had a “newfound respect” for Berry after the star fought for them to get an interview.

She said: “I take so much pride in being black and in being one of the only black faces in so many spaces that I'm in.

“I just want to encourage every black woman and male to continue to break barriers in all of these industries, because our faces will be seen and our voices will be heard.”

Halle Berry enters the action fray in 'John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum'. (Credit: Lionsgate)
Halle Berry enters the action fray in 'John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum'. (Credit: Lionsgate)

Halle Berry appears in John Wick: Chapter 3 as Sofia - a figure from the past of Keanu Reeves’ protagonist.

She joins Reeves as he tries to avoid certain death at the hands of the world’s assassins, who are hungry for the multi-million dollar bounty placed on his head by underworld authorities The High Table.

Trailers for the film, directed by Chad Stahelski, showcased Sofia taking part in an action sequence alongside Wick and her canine friends.