Just days after a report revealed a blatant lack of diversity among the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, with zero Black members, the organization has responded.
The HFPA, which runs and organizes the Golden Globe Awards that air this Sunday, released a statement on Thursday night (via Variety) revealing an ‘action plan.’
The organization is comprised of 87 journalists, which includes other members of color, though there are no Black members at all, which they want to change.
Response: Just days after a report revealed a blatant lack of diversity among the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, with zero Black members, the organization has responded
Sunday: The HFPA, which runs and organizes the Golden Globe Awards that air this Sunday, released a statement on Thursday night (via Variety ) revealing an ‘action plan’
‘We are fully committed to ensuring our membership is reflective of the communities around the world who love film, TV and the artists inspiring and educating them,’ the statement began.
‘We understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds, and we will immediately work to implement an action plan to achieve these goals as soon as possible,’ the statement added.
A spokesperson for the HFPA added that journalists from all cultures and backgrounds who are based in Southern California can apply for HFPA membership.
Black members: ‘We understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds, and we will immediately work to implement an action plan to achieve these goals as soon as possible,’ the statement added
The group’s membership is comprised of a female majority, with over 35% of HFPA members hailing from non-European countries.
The organization added that they’re exploring changing their rules to increase their pool of applicants in the future.
Aside from the Sunday report by the Los Angeles Times, the organization came under fire for this year’s Golden Globe nominations, which completely snubbed the critically-acclaimed I May Destroy You, created by Black actress/writer Michaela Coel.
Members: The group’s membership is comprised of a female majority, with over 35% of HFPA members hailing from non-European countries
The nominations raised eyebrows with Netflix’s Emily in Paris getting two nominations, with the Times report adding that over 30 HFPA members were sent to a lavish junket and put up in a five-star hotel.
However there were other journalists present as well, with a source present at the junket telling Insider that, ‘it’s unfair to say the conference is why the noms came through.
‘In fact, several reputable publications predicted ‘Emily in Paris’ and Lily Collins would be nominated in both their categories — including LA Times, Vanity Fair, Indiewire and Variety,’ the source added.
Raised eyebrows: The nominations raised eyebrows with Netflix’s Emily in Paris getting two nominations, with the Times report adding that over 30 HFPA members were sent to a lavish junket and put up in a five-star hotel
This year’s Golden Globes ceremony will be quite different in many ways, with the show becoming a bi-coastal affair.
Tina Fey will host portions from The Rainbow Room in New York City while Amy Poehler will host from the Globes’ traditional home, The Beverly Hilton ballroom.
Just a few weeks after the Globes, the Oscar nominations will be unveiled on March 15, with Oscar Sunday taking place on April 25.
Quite different: This year’s Golden Globes ceremony will be quite different in many ways, with the show becoming a bi-coastal affair