Scarlett Johansson, a famous Hollywood actress, took a bold step by boycotting the Golden Globe Awards after receiving severe criticism. Although she was nominated for five awards, she exposed the deep-rooted sexism culture of the hosting organization, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. She chose not to take part in the event, citing her discomfort with the practices of the organization.
Actress Scarlett Johansson has voiced her dissatisfaction with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the group responsible for organizing the Golden Globe Awards. According to Johansson, actors are compelled to participate in press conferences and awards ceremonies during awards season. However, she expressed her refusal to attend HFPA conferences in the past due to several of its members’ sexist remarks and questions that amounted to sexual harassment. Her comments highlight the need for greater sensitivity and respect towards actors in all forms of media.
Scarlett Johansson made a statement calling out the HFPA for gaining credibility through their association with Harvey Weinstein. As someone who played Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she expressed concern that the award ceremony had honored producers who were later exposed for their actions. She also pointed out that the entertainment industry as a whole has followed a similar path. Because of this, she believes it’s important to distance ourselves from the HFPA until they undergo significant changes. Instead, Johansson believes we should focus on unity within our unions and the industry at large.
In an exposรฉ by the LA Times, it was uncovered that the HPVA had multiple financial and ethical problems. Moreover, the organization was found to have a discriminatory culture as there were no African American members among its 87 members for over two decades. It is shocking to learn about this lack of diversity and inclusion. The HFPA’s President also made derogatory remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement, further highlighting their problematic attitude towards inclusivity.
Following this, more than 100 public relations professionals representing Hollywood celebrities expressed their opposition to the HPVA. They made it clear that unless significant modifications were made, they would no longer grant access to their clients. This had a significant effect on the HFPA and was a major factor in altering its direction.
Various online news sources have shared that the organization made modifications to its structure by enlarging its members and designating a leader who puts emphasis on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
