Tropes are a good way to set the scene for what type of romantic storyline we’re gonna see, but that doesn’t mean that all of them are good, and one I’m tired of seeing is the disposable black girlfriend trope. What is this trope? This trope is when a Black character is cast as a potential love interest for a protagonist, usually as a stepping stone within their story, and is then later replaced with an alternate love interest, who is often, but not always, a white character.
‘Invincible’
‘Invincible’ follows 17-year old Mark Grayson, son of the superhero, Omni-man, who has to learn to adjust to his newfound role as a superhero when he develops powers of his own and tries to uphold his father’s legacy. Within the series we’re introduced to two love interests of Mark, Amber Bennett and Eve Wilkins. In the first season Amber is Mark’s classmate who he harbors a crush on and eventually they end up dating in episode four. Their relationship experiences many ups and downs because Amber is unaware of Mark’s superhero identity, and when she does eventually discover this, their relationship dynamic shifts. The difficulties of maintaining their relationship, while still making time for Mark’s other identity is what eventually causes their split in season two, episode seven.
We’re first introduced to Eve Wilkins in season one, as Atom Eve, a famous superhero. She and Mark manage to form a friendly relationship, but there are speculations that this will evolve, especially if you read the comics. Fast forward following Amber and Mark’s breakup — Mark and Eve start dating in season three, episode two. While the reason for Amber and Mark’s breakup did make sense, there could have been workarounds, and it still doesn’t explain why we needed another relationship immediately following their breakup.
Furthermore, Amber’s character in the original comics was depicted as having fairer skin and blonde hair, so the decision to make alterations to this in the animated series had no effect on the plot and just further supports the disposable black girlfriend trope.
‘Boy Meets World’
Shawn and Angela were one of my favorite on-screen couples growing up. When we first meet Shawn he’s guarded and doesn’t open up to many people, with the exception of Cory. He grew up without a father figure, no siblings, until Jack’s later arrival, and no mother figure, so he never got to experience love, until Angela. We’re introduced to Angela Moore in season five, episode two, but she officially becomes a recurring character in season five, episode seven. We later learn they have more in common than we think, from the same music taste, to the same snacks, and even the fact that both of their mothers walked out on them. They officially start dating in season seven, episode seven.
Fans were huge fans of the pair, and it was refreshing getting to see how their relationship evolved, especially throughout their college years. The couple did break up here and there — one time being because Shawn wanted to experience new relationships in college, but eventually realized his relationship with Angela meant more.
The couple didn’t end up together due to Angela wanting to make up for lost time by reuniting with her father, but viewers still speculate that it’s because they didn’t want Shawn and Angela outshining their golden couple, Cory and Topanga. Personally, I agree, especially after teasing viewers with Angela’s return in ‘Girl Meets World’ just to dismiss them by presenting Shawn’s new relationship with Mya’s mother, further proving the Black girlfriend is once again, disposable.
‘Summer House’
While the disposable black girlfriend trope is mainly portrayed in fictional pieces of work, it can also happen in real life. In season five of the reality show, ‘Summer House’, one of the new cast members we’re introduced to is Ciara Miller. We’re later introduced to West Wilson in season eight and slowly see the duo’s relationship begin to form.
It was discovered that Ciara and West’s relationship began before filming even began in summer of 2023. They end up dating till September and end the relationship just as soon as the show premiered around December. The pair announced their breakup around July 2024 during the season eight reunion. Following the breakup Ciara had even expressed how out of place she felt due to the public’s view on her relationship, especially being the first black cast member. Around March 2026 rumors started circulating around social media claiming that West was in a new relationship with costar Amanda Batula, who is also Ciara’s best friend. It wasn’t until March 31 when the pair officially confirmed their relationship.
West claims the split between him and Ciara occurred due to his inability to commit to her, which doesn’t make sense, seeing as he was able to commit to Amanda. This situation is once again setting the narrative that Black women are unworthy of being in a committed relationship, and further goes on to prove that they’ll always be the disposable side piece.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Sadly, this trope also occurs in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. The first appearance of Jackson Avery and April Kepner is in season six, episode five, titled “Invasion”. They arrive as residents from Mercy West and are forced to work with Seattle Grace as a part of the merger. Initially, we don’t see much of a dynamic between the two, except for brief exchanges. We finally see their relationship start to advance and eventually teeter towards romance following the shooting around seasons six through seven. They eventually get into a relationship towards the end of season eight.
They do end up breaking up in season nine, episode seven, when April has a pregnancy scare and expresses not needing to marry Jackson anymore, which leads to him ending the relationship. Stephanie Edwards is one of the new interns introduced in season nine, and her relationship with Jackson begins shortly after April and Jackson’s breakup. In episode nine, titled “Run Baby Run”, Jackson and Stephanie are set up to attend Bailey’s wedding together, which is what brings them to start dating. They eventually break up in season 10, episode 12, when Jackson stops April’s wedding to confess to still loving her.
There is a noticeable pattern within these relationships — most happen too closely following a breakup with another love interest. This could be why they usually never work out, but it still doesn’t explain why it always must be the darker-skinned love interest that gets hurt. I think this trope is too played out and can be damaging to Black women, ruining our self-image.
Surprise, surprise! They do get the guy
To end on a happier note, among all these failed relationships are the very few that ended with the Black love interest getting the love they deserve, because we aren’t disposable, and the media should stop portraying us that way.
1. Taylor and Blue
‘911 Nashville’ on ABC/Disney+.
2. Janine and Greg
‘Abbott Elementary’ on ABC/Hulu.
3. Queen Charlotte and King George
‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ on Netflix.
4. Keisha and Justin
‘Forever’ on Netflix.
5. Rick and Michonne
‘The Walking Dead’ on AMC/Netflix.