The first Hollywood awards season since the #MeToo movement broke and film industry moguls such as producer Harvey Weinstein were outed as sexual predators is approaching, and so far, it seems that women will not let pre-Oscar ceremonies like the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards avoid these major changes. In addition to Jan. 21’s SAG Awards only featuring female presenters in honor of those who have shared their experiences with sexual harassment, many actresses are reportedly planning to wear black to the Golden Globes on Jan. 7 to protest against sexual misconduct and gender inequality in Hollywood. PEOPLE reports that the specific fashion choice could reappear throughout awards season.
Actresses will wear black to Golden Globes to protest harassment https://t.co/NcsALQNypi
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 14, 2017
“All female actresses attending the Globes are protesting by just wearing black gowns,” a source told the magazine. The mass decision marks the first time actresses have fully banded together behind a cause. In the past, award show attendees have often worn pins to commemorate terror attacks or support organizations such as the ACLU. While many actors wore black at the 2001 Emmy Awards to honor the victims of 9/11, it was not an organized movement. So, basically, if someone has managed to miss out on the severity of sexual assault allegations in 2017, they’ll definitely catch up this winter by watching award shows.
According to E! News, more than 30 women are actively planning to don black dresses at the Globes. Rumor has it that the decision originated from Meryl Streep, who, as unofficial Queen of Hollywood, is totally fit to call these women to arms.
A fashion designer told me Meryl Streep is urging female attendees of the upcoming Golden Globes to wear black, as a way to show #MeToo solidarity. If that pans out, it will be a clever and powerful way to acknowledge the current Hollywood situation.
— Richard Horgan (@hollywoodspin) December 14, 2017
As The Hollywood Reporter points out, the symbolic fashion decision adds fire to the #AskHerMore movement, an effort recently championed by stars like Reese Witherspoon to promote red carpet reporters asking actresses about more than just their gowns. Described on its website as a method to “re-focus on women’s achievements,” #AskHerMore offers actresses a chance to particularly emphasize their industry’s inequalities this year.
“AskHerMore is fundamentally about treating women as full human beings rather than objects. And I think #MeToo is about the same thing,” Jennifer Siebel Newsom, founder and CEO of The Representation Project, said to THR. “I hope red carpet interviewers ask about the power the media has to make a difference in the world, how those involved in creating it can set a better example and the importance of broadening who gets to have a say in creating that media. For instance, the Golden Globes nominated five white men in the director category. White men are not the only people making good films. They are just the ones being recognized. Let’s talk about that on the red carpet.”
Given Hollywood’s current climate, actresses joining together to promote this message is needed now more than ever.