In 2021, the famous Golden Globe Awards was criticized for lack of diversity and corruption.
The organization The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is behind the award. The organization consists of 87 journalists.
The criticism storm started with an article in Los Angeles Timeswhere it was pointed out that there was not a single black member in the entire organization.
This led to several people choosing to boycott the awards, and big stars protested by returning their awards. Last year’s award was also not shown on TV for the same reason.
The HFPA has subsequently promised and implemented several changes.
Addressed the “elephant in the room”
Last night, the first awards ceremony took place after the scandal that hit them two years ago.
See an overview of all the winners and nominees here.
During this year’s awards, it was comedian Jerrod Carmichael (35) who led the show. During his opening monologue, he took the opportunity to address “the big elephant in the room”.
– I am your presenter, Jerrod Carmichael, and I will tell you why I am here. I’m here because I’m black, he says to a laughing audience.
CRITIC: Jerrod Carmichael during his opening monologue, where he both joked about and criticized the jury’s previous lack of diversity. Photo: Rich Polk/AP
He also addresses the reason why the awards were not televised last year.
– It’s because the HFPA, I wouldn’t say they were a racist organization, but they didn’t have a single black member before George Floyd died. Do whatever you want with that information, says Carmichael from the stage.
In May 2020, George Floyd was killed during an arrest. The murder was filmed and spread on the internet, which led to extensive demonstrations across the US, and in a number of European cities – also in Norway.
Thousands took to the streets to demonstrate against racism and police brutality.
Got $500,000 for the job
Carmichael further says that he was unsure whether he wanted to accept the job.
When he was called by producer Stephen Hill, he thought: “one minute you’re at home making tea, the next you’re invited to be the black face of a criticized white organisation”.
The 35-year-old says he did what he always does when he has a “racial moral dilemma” – he called his friend, Avery.
– Avery, for the sake of this monologue, represents every black person in America.
The comedian explained this to Avery about the controversy, and was immediately asked how much the Golden Globes were willing to pay him.
When Carmichael told her that he was offered 500,000 dollars, which is equivalent to nearly five million Norwegian kroner, Avery was clear in his opinion:
“If you don’t put on a nice suit and take the money to the whites…”.
– And I sort of forget that where I come from, we all live by a strict “take the money mentality”, continues the comedian, and says that’s when he decided to take the job.
Not interested in hearing about the changes
Carmichael goes on to say that he was proud of the decision until he got an email from his manager saying that Helen Hoehne, the president of The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, wanted to have a one-on-one chat with him.
– I declined. I know a trap when I hear a trap.
The president of the HFPA did not budge, and Carmichael thought he had no choice:
– Well, they’re not really asking, Jerrod, they’re insisting that you meet her. But then I thought – or what? Are they going to fire me? They haven’t had one black presenter in 79 years, are they also going to fire the first one?
– When they came back to me a third time, they told me that Helen only wanted to inform me about the changes the organization has made with regard to diversity, he says.
PRESIDENT: The president of The Hollywood Press Association, Helen Hoehne, during the night’s awards. Photo: Rich Polk/AP
Furthermore, the 35-year-old says that he was not interested in hearing what changes the organization had made.
– I will be completely honest with everyone here tonight. I don’t really need to hear it. I took this job assuming they hadn’t changed at all. I heard they got six new black members. Anyway, congratulations to them, but that’s not why I’m here.
Carmichael says that the reason he is present on stage is all the people in the hall.
– I look out into this room and I see a lot of talented people – people I admire, people I would like to be like, people I’m jealous of and people who are really incredible artists.
He then says that whatever the past of The Hollywood Foreign Press may be, this is a night he wants to celebrate.
– I think this industry deserves evenings like these. I’m glad you’re all here. And we’re going to have fun tonight, he ends the monologue with.
