Scarlett Johansson.Photo: Toni Anne Barson/WireImage
Scarlett Johanssonis urging her fellow industry members to halt their involvement with theHollywood Foreign Press Association— a small group of international journalists that determine the nominees and winners of theGolden Globe Awardseach year — pending “necessary fundamental reform.”
Representatives for the HFPA did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Johansson concluded, “Unless there is necessary fundamental reform within the organization, I believe it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA and focus on the importance and strength of unity within our unions and the industry as a whole.”
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Golden Globe trophies.ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images
On Thursday,Netflix’s co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos sent a letter to the HFPA’s leadership committee that came shortly after the HFPA voted to approve reforms within its organization, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
Listen below to the episode ofour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on the controversy surrounding the HFPA.
HFPA President Ali Sar responded in a letter to Sarandos saying the HFPA has “always valued our relationship with Netflix as we seek to bring news about motion pictures and television to the world,“Deadlinereported.
“We hear your concerns about the changes our association needs to make and want to assure you thatwe are working diligently on all of them,” Sar added, in part. “We can assure you that our plan reflects input from our supporters and critics alike, and we truly believe that our plan will drive meaningful reform and inclusion within our Association and in a way that the entire industry can be proud of.”
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On Friday, Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke issued a statement toThe Hollywood Reporter, distancing the streaming service from the HFPA.
“We have not been working with the HFPA since these issues were first raised, and like the rest of the industry, we are awaiting a sincere and significant resolution before moving forward,” she said.
GLAADalso called out the HFPA for its lack of inclusion when it comes to the LGBTQ community, with President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis saying in astatement on Twitter, “The HFPA reforms do not go far enough to ensure the organization as a place where historically marginalized communities — including the LGBTQ community — feel welcomed; especially not in time for meaningful change to take place before the 2022 awards season.”
“There is alack of transparency and accountabilitywhich still has yet to be addressed,” Ellis continued. “It’s not enough for the HFPA to just say that they are working towards having a certain number of Black members. It’stime for the HFPA and the Golden Globes to truly reflectthe full intersectional diversity of Hollywood. GLAAD stands alongside theTime’s Up Foundation,Color of Change, and all those who are calling for further and more rapid change, real inclusion, and true acceptance.”
source: people.com
