Hollywood Responds To NBC’s Cancellation Of 2022 Golden Globes: “This Is A Defining Moment”

UPDATED with more reactions…After NBC put more pressure on the beleaguered HFPA, to demand reform within the organization, by announcing that it would not be airing the 2022 Golden Globes, reactions from the entertainment industry quickly started flooding in.

“Everything matters. Even this,” tweeted filmmaker Ava DuVernay. “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.”

Prolific showrunner Shonda Rhimes echoed DuVernay’s sentiment. “Every step forward matters,” she wrote. “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 tokenized/not included. These steps can work in any industry.”

Tina Thchen, president and CEO of Time’s Up Foundation, provided the following statement in response to today’s news:

“This is a defining moment for Hollywood. Today, we have the opportunity to recognize that, by speaking up against one powerful but deeply flawed awards system, we can begin to reimagine a more equitable industry.

It took the collective voices of individual actors, creators, and a united front of over 100 publicists — along with the powerful moral leadership of companies like Netflix, Amazon, and WarnerMedia — to make this happen. Together, we demanded an awards ceremony that is fully inclusive, transparent, and respectful. Courage and leadership made a difference.

Storytelling is universally powerful. The images we show on screen contribute to how audiences view the world and help define our broader culture. So, the entertainment industry has a responsibility to their audiences — both onscreen and off.

But this moment is about more than Hollywood. It is about the courage it takes to confront all of the problematic systems that are right in front of us — in every industry and institution and across society. Because that is what it will take to truly uproot racism, sexism, and homophobia and build safer, more equitable workplaces for everyone.”

Lionsgate and Starz also responded to NBC’s decision, with praise for the network. “We applaud NBC’s decisive action to require the HFPA to make the transformational changes that are needed in their membership, structure and practices,” representatives said in a statement. “Until they do, we join with our industry colleagues in withdrawing from all HFPA activities.”

Deadline will update this story as more reactions come in.

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. https://t.co/ng1uUiOqS4

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 10, 2021

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 tokenized/not included. These steps can work in any industry. https://t.co/IasZCtZIP2

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) May 10, 2021

Thank you, @NBC, for taking the time to do this right. #ChangeIsGolden https://t.co/MPONIZN9F4

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 10, 2021

One Title: GIRLS TRIP. They didn’t even watch it. That tells you everything.

Golden Globes 2022 Canceled On NBC As HFPA Struggles To Reform To Hollywood’s Stipulations https://t.co/FjV5jz7WFX via @Deadline

— Malcolm D. Lee (@malcolmdlee) May 10, 2021

Proud to be part of the @nbc family.
👊🏽#LaBrea https://t.co/WhBtQioDcn

— Nicholas Gonzalez (@IamNickGonzalez) May 10, 2021

Last week, the HFPA failed to deliver. But today, @NBCUniversal announced that they would be withdrawing their support for the #GoldenGlobes in 2022, a testament to the power of our coalition. The work to #ChangeHollywood continues: stay tuned for more.

— ColorOfChange (@ColorOfChange) May 10, 2021

😁🙏 pic.twitter.com/ps4ILOtSat

— Ollie After Life (@olliecomicstrip) May 10, 2021

Whew. The chickens. They are roosting. https://t.co/5SzotdvcTE

— April (@ReignOfApril) May 10, 2021

I will be replacing the Golden Globes in the NBC line up, stay tuned for more programming announcements. It WILL be an awards show, categories & criteria TBD but Peter Falk's Columbo will be eligible regardless

— Emily Heller (@MrEmilyHeller) May 10, 2021

This HFPA thing is fascinating. I am curious as to why this is the thing that finally got Hollywood to enact meaningful consequences.

— roxane gay (@rgay) May 10, 2021

NBC won't air the Golden Globes, because they're racist and useless. Possible solutions:
1) Change the name to the Huckabees
2) Let Elise Stefanik host
3) Hold them at Mar-a-Lago
4) Call categories things like Best White Actor Who Bribed Us
5) Make award look like Tucker Carlson

— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) May 10, 2021

The coalition of 100+ PR firms, which has taken the HFPA to task for its lack of inclusivity, responded to today’s developments with the following joint statement:

“Our coalition of over one hundred publicity agencies, collectively representing the vast majority of artists in the entertainment industry, came together in early March to demand the Hollywood Foreign Press Association eradicate its longstanding discriminatory and exclusionary ethos and pervasive practice of discriminatory behavior, unprofessionalism, ethical impropriety and alleged financial corruption.

We applaud NBC’s decision to cancel the 2022 Golden Globes, allowing the HFPA the time it needs to thoughtfully reform its management, culture and practices. The depth and scope of change necessary requires time and sustained focus. We must ensure the organization’s revision of its most fundamental governance, ethics and methodology reflects the worthy ideals on which the organization was originally founded. We look forward to a transparent process that encourages and introduces diverse and inclusive new leadership and membership. We envision a culture and process that welcomes and celebrates our colleagues and the global journalists who bring such credit to our industry.

We thank Time’s Up, Color of Change, GLAAD and the outstanding artists, activists, thought leaders and media visionaries who advocate vocally and powerfully for full representation and equity.

We look forward to supporting the HFPA in this effort and to continuing to examine ways in which we can reimagine our own workplaces and the entire Hollywood ecosystem as a safer, fully representative and equitable community where all art – and all artists – thrive in meaningful contribution to our culture and society.”