Emmy Awards called out as white actors win all top prizes
- 20 Sep 2021
The 2021 Emmy Awards are under fire after zero actors of colour were awarded major prizes at the ceremony on Sunday (19 September).
Despite a record number of diverse nominees this year, all major acting trophies went to white actors.
Stars who had been considered frontrunners – including Billy Porter and MJ Rodriguez for Pose, the late Michael K Williams for Lovecraft Country, Michaela Coel for I May Destroy You, and Bowen Yang for Saturday Night Live – lost out in their respective categories.
Netflix’s hit period drama The Crown and Apple comedy Ted Lasso were this year’s big winners.
The Crown secured the prize for Best Drama Series, plus four acting wins for its stars Gillian Anderson, Olivia Colman, Josh O’Connor and Tobias Menzies.
Ted Lasso’s lead star Jason Sudeikis took home the Best Lead Comedy Actor trophy, while Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein were feted with best supporting actress and actor, respectively.
In the wake of the ceremony, many people have called out the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the lack of diversity among its winners.
Filmmaker Dr Michael Alexander Cross wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely unacceptable! We’re still #EmmySoWhite in 2021.”
“They want everything we got but refuse to give us credit… take our music, dances, clothes, hairstyles, our food our neighborhoods [sic], and our lives put it on film and won’t give us our due. #EmmysSoWhite #EmmySoWhite,” wrote another person.
Some people have raised an appeal to “stop watching” award shows due to their lack of diversity.
One person wrote: “Year after year, award show begins and then it ends, and you are left with rage. I think it’s time to stop watching award shows. #EmmySoWhite.”
