Interest
Vic Mignogna No Longer a Member of RWBY Cast
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Production company Rooster Teeth reached out to Anime News Network on Monday to issue a statement regarding voice actor Vic Mignogna's role in the animated series RWBY.
Effective today, Vic Mignogna is no longer a part of the cast of RWBY and Rooster Teeth is ending all associations with Mignogna. This will not affect the creative content of RWBY.
Mignogna voiced the reoccuring character Qrow Branwen in the series. Rooster Teeth did not announce who will replace Mignogna in future episodes.
Rooster Teeth's statement comes in the wake of allegations leveled against voice actor Vic Mignogna last month. 56-year-old Mignogna was accused by a number of con attendees of kissing and embracing them without consent over the course of his career with some allegations dating back to 2008.
Fellow voice actors have publicly issued anecdotes of their personal experiences with Mignogna or support for those speaking out via social media. Monica Rial posted an image on her Instagram page with the text "I Believe and Support Survivors" on January 31. Similarly, Alex Moore and Aaron Roberts also shared a supportive messages.
I believe survivors. It's 2019. There is nothing to gain from coming forward except peace. Sometimes, not even justice.
— Alex Moore, Allegedly (@plus3toogres) February 2, 2019
Women who speak out about sexual assault and harassment, and are reliving those moments by doing so, are BRAVE. Bottom line. We have to do better. Believe women.
— Aaron Roberts (@AaronRobertsYes) January 30, 2019
Neil Kaplan shared his own story of an encounter with Mignogna on Monday. In the story, he recounts how Mignogna "mounted" him without warning at MegaCon 2008 in Orlando. Kaplan shared a video of the incident.
Kaplan wrote: "Why is it embarrassing? Well, the dude presses his junk into the back of my neck. I felt violated and upon further review I realize that instead of a handshake, the dude mounted me. He didn't know me... and he MOUNTED ME!!!" I tried to play it off and make a joke. But it was vile and rude. But, he was popular, so what was I gonna do other than let it go and move on.
Stephanie Sheh shared Anime News Network's article on Twitter and later followed up with a Tweet about negative reactions she received for sharing it, even without a personal comment attached. Voice actor DC Douglas posted a longer thread detailing the considerations and difficulties he had prior to sharing the article. He expressed he was initially concerned about how engaging in the issue might affect his ability to continue working in the industry and how that can have a silencing effect. Caitlin Glass shared Biblical scripture, John 1:8-10, which talks about confessing sin and receiving God's forgiveness.
Other voice actors' thoughts are shared below.
Yo so I just looked up what's been going on with the whole #KickVic situation because I'm just curious as to what's happened since I left for Japan. And I just gotta say... WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?! This has turned into something bigger...
— Alejandro Saab (@KaggyFilms) February 1, 2019
I know it's hard when our heroes disappoint us. Your positive experience with them is still valid and real, but we need to be open to listening to victims and not discredit them based on our own emotions.
— Tara Jayne Sands (@TaraSandsLA) January 25, 2019
I believe you
— Danielle McRae (@DanielleMcVO) January 31, 2019
As a victim of sexual assault, I've learned that predators thrive on the status quo. I want to help create a world where speaking out ignites solidarity, not silence - support, not suspicion. I believe the victims. I stand with the survivors. You have a voice. We hear you.
— J Michael Tatum (@JMichaelTatum) February 5, 2019
This. Right. Here. The best we can do is continue to educate ourselves, and we can't do that without listening. https://t.co/4R1XpJsSAR
— Brandon McInnis (@BranMci) February 5, 2019
To all of my POC and LGBTQ fans and friends: You are loved. You matter.
— Brina Palencia (@BrinaPalencia) January 30, 2019
Nope, not true. We've been screaming for years. Unfortunately, we're just voice actors so nobody listens. The only difference now is that I'm not fearful of damaging my career for speaking out. I don't need or want brownie points.
— Monica Rial (@Rialisms) February 5, 2019
As I've said before, I have spoken up. Several times. I was silenced. Not anymore.
— Monica Rial (@Rialisms) February 5, 2019
I did. Twice. Nothing changed.
— Monica Rial (@Rialisms) February 5, 2019
Or that someone you think is a good person is actually bad. As inappropriate as kissing and hugging fans without consent may be, that's just the beginning.
— Monica Rial (@Rialisms) February 5, 2019
It's been brought to his attention numerous times. In fact, I confronted him about it on two different occasions over a decade ago. I got crocodile tears and he was back at it within weeks.
— Monica Rial (@Rialisms) February 5, 2019
This behavior has been going on for 15+ years. We're not going to allow it anymore.
— Monica Rial (@Rialisms) February 4, 2019
I fully support RT & others in their decision to #KickVic. As a relative newcomer with no real power in the convention world, I had heard the stories recently but was not in a place to say anything. It made me sick to my stomach & I'm glad to see that action is being taken.
— Jen Brown (@The_JenBrown) February 5, 2019
I believe survivors.
— Dawn M. Bennett (@DawnMBennettVA) February 5, 2019
You may not know their faces, but their voices matter.
Listen.
Let not emotions and rose-colored glasses cloud judgment.
Know that there is a side to every story.
That every story deserves to be heard.
Even if the truth is not what you want to hear.
Survivors. I've seen your tears, withheld and without, for awhile now. Those of you who are in a place to say something are often forced to be victims again; reliving your pain as it's put out there for the world to see, and sadly few ever care or stop to think how that must feel
— Josh Grelle (@JoshGrelle) February 5, 2019
I want to help, and I'm sorry that I and so many have failed to step up and say something when abuse is happening right in front of us; or, even worse, failing to see it for what it actually is.
— Josh Grelle (@JoshGrelle) February 5, 2019
I believe you.
I support you, and I will be a better ally
While some have taken it upon themselves to scrutinize things any/every way to fit a narrative that works for them, others are dealing w/some REAL stuff offline.
— Ⓣ🅔ⓡ🅡ⓘ 🅓ⓞ🅣ⓨ (@TeeDotally) February 5, 2019
If something doesn't make sense to you—an outsider—it doesn't matter.
They owe you nothing.
Many voices have been echoing a pressing issue, and this needs a strong united front. I believe survivors. It takes a tremendous level of courage to speak openly about sexual assault and trauma. Please support victims, don't dismiss their stories. There's truth to be heard.
— Daman Mills (@DamanMills) February 5, 2019
So many have put it into more eloquent words, but thank you to those who have spoken out and made your voices heard. You are so incredibly brave and know that you are not alone. We hear you and stand with you. So much love ♥️♥️
— AmaLee (@AmaAmaLeeLee) February 5, 2019
I believe victims and I stand in solidarity with survivors. I hear you. I see you and you're not alone. Every Voice Matters. The gaslighting in these situations is real and I don't wish that on anyone.
— Amber Lee Connors (@AmberLeeConnors) February 5, 2019
I grew up as an altar boy in the Catholic Church.
— Christopher Wehkamp (@ChrisWehkamp) February 5, 2019
Though I was lucky to not be victimized myself, I know some who were. I parted ways with the church at 18 for these and other reasons.
I'm only one voice in an echo chamber of noise. But suriviors of sexual abuse must be heard.
Since the allegations came to the surface, all but five of Mignogna's 18 convention appearances scheduled for 2019 are cancelled. Mignogna was at the Bak-Anime convention in Bakersfield, California last weekend where he delivered a tearful apology to the attendees.
Mignogna is well known for voicing popular anime characters like Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamaki in Ouran High School Host Club, Zero in Vampire Knight, and Fay D. Flourite in Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE. He recently starred as Broly in the Dragon Ball Super: Broly film currently in U.S. theaters.
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history