Diversity has come under the spotlight after the weekend Emmy awards overlooked actors of colour in all top categories.
Host Cedric the Entertainer was the only black person near an Emmy award on Sunday night – all the winners were white – reports the Hollywood Reporter.
Under the heading: “#EmmysSoWhite: White Actors Sweep the 2021 Emmy Awards” the Hollywood Reporter said, “although performers from the global majority comprised 44 percent of acting nominees, they were shut out at the 73rd Primetime Emmys”.
“It comes with a lot of pressure, being Black, hosting a job like this,” the Hollywood Reporter quoted host Cedric the Entertainer as jokingly saying near the top of the show.
“My people, they expect that I can just give an award to anybody. Black people like, ‘Yo Ced, come on man, you gotta give Martin Lawrence an Emmy. And not just Martin, Ced, you gotta give Sheneneh one too.’
“Jimmy Kimmel don’t have that problem. He don’t have to give no award to Tony Danza,” the comedian continued.
White actors ultimately swept all 12 lead and supporting races across the comedy, drama and limited series categories, reported the Hollywood Reporter.
Winners included Josh O’Connor, Olivia Colman, Jason Sudeikis, Kate Winslet, Ewan McGregor and Jean Smart.
