HFPA promises 'transformational change' after NBC refuses to air 2022 Golden Globes
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is vowing to make "transformational change" to its organization as the future of the Golden Globes remains up in the air.
The Los Angeles Times released a report in February -- right before the 2021 Golden Globes ceremony -- which revealed that there are no Black members in the 87-person group of international journalists who make up the HFPA, the group which decides the nominees and winners of the awards show.
In the wake of this news, the HFPA issued a statement saying they 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." They added that they "understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds" and they would "immediately work to implement an action plan to achieve these goals as soon as possible."
That didn't stop Hollywood from reacting to the lack of diversity within the HFPA -- Golden Globes hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler even took aim at the organization in their opening monologue at this year's awards show.
But on Monday, NBC announced they would not air the Golden Globes in 2022.
"We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform," the network said in a statement. "However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right. As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes."
NBC continued, "Assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023." NBC's current contract to air the awards show runs through 2026.
The HFPA has been under fire ever since the LA Times report on the lack of diversity in its ranks, and Tom Cruise is the latest to speak out -- choosing to do so not with words, but by returning his three Golden Globes in protest.
Cruise has won has won three acting trophies for roles in "Born on the Fourth of July," "Jerry Maguire" and "Magnolia."
In the wake of NBC's refusal to air the Golden Globes next year, the HFPA issued a statement, which included a timeline of "Reform Milestones" to help them boost minority membership and representation as well as increase transparency into the organization and its inner workings, which have long been shrouded in mystery.
"Regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globes, implementing transformational changes as quickly -- and as thoughtfully -- as possible remains the top priority for our organization," the HFPA said. "We invite our partners in the industry to the table to work with us on the systemic reform that is long overdue, both in our organization as well as within the industry at large.
The HFPA said their timeline of "Reform Milestones," which was first announced last week, shows their "commitment to achieving these goals with extreme urgency."
