Tom Cruise has handed back his three Golden Globes in protest at a lack of diversity among the body that runs the glittering annual Hollywood awards.
He is the latest star to join a growing chorus of criticism. NBC, which has aired the event since 1996, has said it won’t broadcast the ceremony next year.
NBC said it wanted to see “meaningful reform” from the organisers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
The Golden Globes are second only to the Oscars in terms of profile.
Time’s Up, a leading advocate for industry reform, described NBC’s move as a “defining moment for Hollywood”.
WarnerMedia, Netflix and Amazon Studios are also refusing to participate in HFPA-related events.
The HFPA, whose members vote on the awards, has faced months of criticism stemming from a Los Angeles Times report back in February that revealed it had not had a single black member for 20 years.
On Tuesday, the HFPA published a timeline of reforms, saying it wanted to implement “transformational changes as quickly – and as thoughtfully – as possible”, adding that “systemic reform… is long overdue”.
It added that it was committed “to achieving these goals with extreme urgency”.
The plans will widen the HFPA’s membership, with an emphasis on recruiting black members and the hiring of diversity advisers. It has pledged to increase its membership by 50% over the next 18 months.
The association also indicated it would loosen its cloak of secrecy and strict admission rules by publishing its membership list and accepting foreign entertainment journalists who are based across the US, not just in California.
Diversity, equity and inclusion training will be given to all members, as well as sexual harassment awareness training. And members will be barred from accepting promotional items from film and TV studios.
Credit: bbc.com
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