Would this be the end of an era? Is the awards season at risk? Will the Golden Globes recover from its latest scandal? These are just a few of the questions that people have been asking themselves for weeks now, and all roads show a rocky path for the annual ceremony commonly held every January.
As reported by The Guardian, the Golden Globes ceremony has a hard time finding a broadcast television network, celebrity hosts, or even celebrities willing to walk on the red carpet after the entertainment industry decided to boycott the show for its recent diversity and ethics scandal. Variety also reported that the awards’ talent bookers have not secured attendance to the 2022 edition from any of the most important and celebrated Hollywood figures.
The Golden Globes, which presented accolades bestowed by 87 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, went under fire and sparked public scrutiny in March 2021 when over 100 public relations firms announced they would no longer cooperate with the event. High-profile Hollywood figures also criticized the organization resulting in the NBC network canceling its partnership.
“We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. 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 said in a statement in May 2021.
According to the network, they don’t consider this decision is permanent. If the organization “executes on its plan,” NBC is “hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.”
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) released a statement informing that the ceremony would be held on Sunday at the Beverly Hilton hotel to “shine a light on the long-established philanthropy work of the HFPA, showcasing a range of grantees during the program.”
The HFPA also said the event will address how the Reimagine Coalition, in conjunction with civil rights group the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), will “increase diversity, equity, and inclusion across the global entertainment industry.”
According to The Guardian, it is unknown if the ceremony will be live-streamed, but the press will not be allowed inside the ceremony, and there will be no red carpet. Those in attendance must follow strict Covid guidelines, including proof of vaccination and negative tests, and wear their masks at all times.
As HOLA! USA previously reported, in February 2021, the Los Angeles Times started investigating the HFPA for its absence of Black members. Such investigations raised concerns about ethical practices, making the 87-member group and non-profit organization of journalists and photographers release a statement assuring they will “bring in” Black members.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Norwegian entertainment journalist, Kjersti Flaa, had been denied membership in the group. According to the publication, Flaa accused the HFPA of institutionalizing a “culture of corruption,” labeling them “as a kind of cartel” that doesn’t consider qualified applicants.
The organization publicist, reached out to HOLA! USA to inform that “as of October 2021, the HFPA added 21 new members, bringing the total membership to 103. Of those new members, 48% identify as women; 29% identify as Black; 24% identify as Asian; 29% identify as Latinx; 19% identify as Middle Eastern/North African.”