Tom Cruise returns his Golden Globes to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association continues to receive criticism for its lack of diversity. In response, NBC announced that it will not air the 2022 award.
Tom Cruise has reportedly returned his three Golden Globe statues to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, following outrage at the awards show organizers.
Various outlets are reporting that Cruise, 58, returned his trophies for best actor for Jerry Maguire, the trophy for best actor for Born on the Fourth of July and the trophy for best supporting actor for Magnolia.
His statement comes as numerous Hollywood stars are criticizing the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) for its lack of black representation within the group, which votes for Golden Globe winners.
In addition, this Monday, May 10, NBC announced that it will not broadcast the 2022 Golden Globes ceremony. An NBC spokesperson shared with E! News released a statement, "We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. However, a change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we strongly believe that the HFPA needs time to get it right." The statement states that "Assuming the organization executes its plan, we are hopeful that we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023."
The Golden Globes have aired on NBC since 1996.
An investigation by the Los Angeles Times in February revealed that the 87 members of the HFPA did not include black journalists. (The group currently has 86 members after former president Philip Berk was ousted last month, according to various outlets.)
At the 2021 ceremony, HFPA members Helen Hoehne, Meher Tatna and Ali Sar took the stage to address the issue of diversity and share their hope for a "more inclusive future." As Hoehne put it, "Tonight, as we celebrate the work of artists from around the world, we recognize that we have our own work to do ... As in film and television, black representation is vital."
Tatna added: "We must make sure that all people from underrepresented communities have a seat at our table and we are going to make that happen." Sar said he wanted to create an "environment where diverse membership is the norm, not the exception."
Last week, the HFPA voted to implement changes aimed at recruiting members in a more inclusive way, according to Deadline.
In response, Netflix chief Ted Sarandos wrote a letter to the HFPA Leadership Committee, promising that the streaming platform would "stop any activity" with the group "until more significant changes are made."
HFPA President Ali Sar responded to Sarandos in a letter published by The Hollywood Reporter on May 7. "We can assure you that our plan reflects the comments of our supporters and critics alike, and we truly believe that our plan will drive meaningful reform and inclusion within our Association and in a way that the entire industry can be proud of," it said in a part. "We are proud that our plan has been overwhelmingly approved by more than 90 percent of the members; there is no doubt that the members are taking advantage of this opportunity."
AND! News reached out to Cruise's representative for comment, as well as the HFPA, but we have not yet received a response.
