Aisha Tyler Reflects on Her Groundbreaking Role in 'Friends'

Actress Aisha Tyler is reminiscing about her role in the hit sitcom ‘Friends’ where she played Charlie Wheeler, a love interest for both Ross and Joey. Tyler, who featured in nine episodes of the show, was the first black person to have a recurring role on ‘Friends’ since its debut in 1994. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she shared her experience on the show and how it changed her life.

Tyler spoke about her nerves during her first appearance on the show, but she noted that the cast was kind and welcoming. She recalled that Matthew Perry leaned in and said, “Get ready for your life to change,” which was a sweet and kind thing to say to someone who was just trying not to be too scared.

Tyler talked about the popularity of the show and how it still resonates with fans worldwide. She mentioned that people come up to her and say, ‘Black girl from Friends’ or call her by her character’s name, Charlie. She also highlighted that she was aware of how big a deal it was to be part of the massively hit show.

The actress shared how the show changed her life, and she knew it was a big deal. She said, “Sometimes you don’t know what a job is going to do, how it’s going to change your life. You don’t know if it’s going to be a hit. You don’t even know if it’s going to be good. You’re just there to do your best work. But I knew when I got Friends that it was a big deal.”

Disclaimer: This story is re-reported from the article originally published by Hindustan Times.