Aneesh Sheth has spoken out about alleged pay disparity and mistreatment while working on Red, White & Royal Wedding, putting fresh focus on the treatment of trans actors and the pressures facing LGBTQ+ performers in Hollywood.

Essential Takeaways

  • Aneesh Sheth has made allegations: The actor described alleged pay disparity, disrespect and being silenced on the sequel's production.
  • Sheth is returning as Amy Gupta: She is part of the cast alongside Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez.
  • Work opportunities remain a concern: Sheth said she'd struggled to find acting jobs and was told trans performers could be seen as a commercial risk.
  • A castmate offered support: Ian McIntyre publicly backed Sheth and encouraged her to speak about her experience.
  • Amazon has been contacted: The studio had not publicly responded at the time of reporting, and the sequel still had no announced release date.

Aneesh Sheth's comments have reignited a difficult conversation

Aneesh Sheth's comments landed with a thud because they describe more than one unpleasant day on set. In an Instagram exchange, the actor alleged unequal pay, disrespect and being shut down while working on Red, White & Royal Wedding, the follow-up to Prime Video's popular LGBTQ+ romantic drama.

According to Attitude, Sheth wrote that she couldn't fully describe how she'd been treated on the film, adding that she had expected the production to support her. The remarks were made while responding to a wider discussion about Elliot Page and the difficulty of securing acting work after a major project.

Sheth's allegations haven't been independently established, and the production company has not publicly addressed each claim. Still, they raise uncomfortable questions for a film whose appeal rests partly on queer visibility, warmth and representation.

Sheth is returning as Secret Service agent Amy Gupta

The sequel brings Sheth back as Amy Gupta, the Secret Service agent from Red, White & Royal Blue. The returning cast includes Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez, while Jamie Babbit is directing from a screenplay credited to Gemma Burgess, Matthew Lopez and Casey McQuiston.

Production reportedly began in January and finished in March, making Sheth's comments especially notable while interest in the follow-up remains high. Marie Claire has also reported on the sequel's development, though a firm launch date has yet to be confirmed.

For fans, that creates a strange contrast. The film promises another glossy, feel-good romance, but one cast member's account has brought the less polished realities of film production into view.

Why the alleged pay gap matters beyond one production

Pay disparity is rarely just about a number on a contract. It can signal who is considered central, trusted or replaceable, especially in an industry where performers already face uneven access to auditions and long stretches between jobs.

Sheth said she had worked in the industry for nearly three decades but had been largely unable to find work in recent years. She also said a casting director told her that producers might view hiring trans actors as a liability because of the political climate and concerns about audience reaction.

That claim reflects a broader tension in entertainment. Studios often celebrate inclusion in publicity campaigns, but performers can still find themselves carrying the risk of representation without receiving equal security, pay or influence. The glossy poster may be inclusive; the paperwork behind it can tell a rather different story.

A co-star's response offered a glimpse of solidarity

Ian McIntyre, another member of the Red, White & Royal Wedding cast, responded publicly to Sheth's comments. According to Attitude and Just Jared, McIntyre said she didn't deserve the treatment she described and that speaking openly about it could be necessary if anything was to improve.

Sheth replied that McIntyre knew the situation first-hand and thanked him for standing by her. That exchange added a more personal note to an otherwise stark account, showing how support from colleagues can matter when an actor feels isolated.

It also highlights the limits of private reassurance. A kind message can help someone get through a difficult week, but lasting change usually requires transparent pay practices, safe reporting systems and producers willing to listen before a problem reaches social media.

What should audiences watch for next?

The immediate questions are whether Amazon or the production team will respond, and whether Sheth's account prompts a wider discussion around the sequel. Just Jared also amplified the comments, keeping them in the entertainment news cycle as anticipation for the film continues.

For viewers, the situation doesn't require a rushed verdict. It's possible to look forward to a film, value its queer characters and still expect the people making it to be treated fairly. Those ideas aren't in conflict; in fact, they should reinforce each other.

A release date has not yet been announced. Until then, the film's cultural conversation is likely to involve not only its romance and royal spectacle, but also the standards audiences expect from productions that present themselves as allies.

Representation means little if the people providing it don't feel respected behind the camera.

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