Ava DuVernay & Shonda Rhimes Speak Out About HFPA Rejecting Black Projects Until They Become Hits

Ava DuVernay and Shonda Rhimes are pulling back more of the curtain about the HFPA and claiming that the organization will not promote Black projects until they become hits.

The Wrap put out a story this week that highlighted how the organization, which has been under scrutiny for their lack of Black voting members, insulted Black-led projects by not recognizing them until they were hits.

The article also claims that the HFPA rejected press conferences and other promotional events for Black projects such as Bridgerton, Girls Trip, and Queen & Slim.

Shonda, who is a producer on Bridgerton, says this is true.

“HFPA rejected our press conference,” she tweeted. “Until it was a ‘surprise hit’ (Grey’s, Scandal, Murder -SURPRISE!) And yet they STILL asked me to show up in person to present at the Globes.”

The series was shut out of the Globes this year. However, it did earn two SAG Award nominations, including one for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Bridgerton wasn’t the only show. Ava‘s When They See Us limited series was also not a project that was sought after.

“For the WHEN THEY SEE US/ HFPA press conference, less than 20 of them showed up,” she wrote. “Based on the quality of their questions, I jokingly asked, ‘Have any of you seen the series?’ Crickets. More came in the room when the pix were to be taken, at which time two peddled their scripts.”

When They See Us earned 16 Emmy nominations, and won two, but was ignored by the Golden Globes.

Just recently, Hollywood firms have banned together and are withholding their celebrity clients from attending Globes events. Read the letter here…