As we know, Hollywood isn’t all about the truth. They’ve claimed that they’re all about inclusion or diversity. However, today’s media consists of repeated stereotypes, or Black actors and actresses being pushed to the backside. As you might’ve read or heard, the Emmy Awards took place on Monday, Sept. 14. While the broadcast did have some fun moments here and there, there was one gigantic outcome that audiences noticed throughout the night. Not one Black actor or actress who was nominated for an Emmy won. This has audiences noticing a recurring pattern throughout Hollywood that might just worsen down the line.
For the first time in five years, as said before, not one actor or actress of color won any of the major leading or supporting categories at the Emmys. This seems to be in line with Hollywood as of now; they’ve been uninterested in or have expressed divestment from Black storytelling and talent. This could translate into very few opportunities for Black talent on television, streaming, or in films. Most of the time, not all Black actors who were nominated would win, but the difference going from having three amazing actresses, Storm Reid, Quinta Brunson, and Keke Palmer, creating history by winning the three main categories, to now not even having one actor being awarded was very disappointing. Audiences have also pointed out that this is just the beginning for the upcoming awards season. The contrast from all of the hard work and effort that these talents put their heart into just to be sidelined is something that needs to end if Hollywood wants to exemplify the diversity they proclaim.
It’s a ginormous contrast that we cannot continue ignoring. As someone who wants to be a part of the entertainment industry in the future, this can’t continue. There has to be some sort of change within the industry. However, we have been getting some examples of diversity like the new, upcoming Netflix show, A Different World, the sequel series to the original 1987 sitcom with the same title. It stars an all Black cast and the story seems very interesting. I’m definitely looking forward to watching. Another big example is another Netflix series, Forever, which came out in 2025, with the second season of the show releasing sometime in 2027. To have two upcoming all Black shows is something that feels really inspiring to me and continues to drive my hope of becoming an actress.
All in all, the so-called diversity that Hollywood claims needs a rewrite. It keeps raising the big question: When will Hollywood start realizing that Black talent can become an expectation and not just the exception?