Golden Globes: What is the HFPA controversy about and is it cancelled?

Tom Cruise, Mark Ruffalo and Scarlett Johansson have joined criticism of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), with the Black Widow star saying it is time for the industry to ‘step back’ from the Golden Globes until reforms are made.

Her statement came as Tom Cruise reportedly returned his three Golden Globe trophies in protest, according to Deadline.

Backlash against the awards has been gathering pace for months as the film industry calls for the HFPA to be more inclusive.

However there is said to be doubts over whether it will bring about serious change, hence NBC’s decision not to air it next year unless the HFPA puts its promises into practice.

What is the Golden Globes controversy about?

A-list stars have been slating the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as it comes under scrutiny over its lack of representation among its members.

In March, the HFPA committed to adding at least 13 Black members by next year after it was revealed there isn’t a single Black person in their organisation out of 87 members. More recently it shared its ‘reform plan timeline’ that will be implemented ‘regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globes’.

It said in a statement the group is ‘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’ and vowed to ‘implement an action plan to achieve these goals as soon as possible’.

The association certainly talks a good game, but this came before former Golden Globes president Philip Berk, who had been a HFPA member for 44 years, was fired in April after he forwarded an email linked to an article titled ‘BLM Goes Hollywood’ and which compared the Black Lives Matter anti-racism movement to Charles Manson’s cult.

Comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler famously called out the HFPA while they were hosting this year’s Golden Globes.

During their opening monologue at the event in April, Tina stated: ‘We all know award shows are stupid.’

Amy added that they are ‘a scam invented by Big Red Carpet’ as her co-host continued: ‘The point is, even with stupid things, inclusivity is important. And there are no Black members of the Hollywood Foreign Press.

‘I realise HFPA, maybe you guys didn’t get the memo because your workplace is the back booth of a French McDonald’s. But, you’ve got to change that, so here’s to changing it.’

A number of stars have spoken up against the association in the past including Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Shonda Rhimes, director Ava DuVernay, Viola Davis, Jennifer Aniston and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Avengers star Scarlett told Variety: ‘Unless there is necessary fundamental reform within the organisation, 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.’

Scarlett’s Avengers co-star Mark praised the move by NBC, tweeting: ‘Thank you, @NBC, for taking the time to do this right.’

Director Ava DuVernay posted: ‘Everything matters. Even this. The ripple effects echo through our industry, especially for Black artists and artists of color.

‘Kudos to all the activists, artists, publicists and executives who took a stand to make this so.’

Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Shonda Rhimes added her thoughts, saying: ‘Every step forward matters. So many people in front of/behind the camera, at studios/streamers & PR firms took a stand to shift a piece of the biz model that affects the economic futures of artists who are often tokenised/not included. These steps can work in any industry.’

Has the 2022 Golden Globes been cancelled?

NBC has already confirmed it will not be airing the Golden Globes ceremony in 2022.

The network has issued a statement about the decision to Variety which read: ‘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.’

The statement continued: ‘As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming the organisation executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.’

Amazon, Netflix, and WarnerMedia have all announced boycotts of the HFPA, before NBCUniversal announced they would not air the ceremony in the US.

There is no word on whether another broadcaster will decide to show it next year, and the awards has currently not been cancelled for 2023.

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