Golden Globes Face Ethics Scandal and Criticism Over Lack of Diversity

Amidst a storm of controversy, the delayed ceremony struggles with accusations of ethical lapses and exclusion of Black talent.

The Golden Globes, set to air this weekend, are starting under a cloud of controversy, further damaging the event’s already precarious reputation. This year, the awards ceremony has been overshadowed by serious allegations against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization responsible for voting on the awards.

Exposés published by the Los Angeles Times have shed light on questionable practices within the HFPA, including the ease with which studios have reportedly courted members. One such example involves members being flown to Paris to promote Emily in Paris, which received two nominations despite criticisms of its quality. Additionally, the HFPA members were found to have been paid nearly $2 million between 2019 and 2020.

The association has been heavily criticized for ethical lapses and for its lack of diversity—especially troubling in a year when numerous films and performances by Black artists have been snubbed. The glaring absence of a single Black member in the voting body, paired with the exclusion of prominent Black films and talent, including I May Destroy You, One Night in Miami, Da 5 Bloods, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, has sparked outrage.

The absence of I May Destroy You, Michaela Coel’s praised series, from the nominations was particularly pointed, with writer Deborah Copaken calling the snub “wrong” and highlighting it as symptomatic of broader industry failings.

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