Scarlett Johansson Urges Hollywood to Take 'Step Back' from HFPA, Condemns 'Sexist Questions' from Members

Scarlett Johansson is speaking out in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which is the organization behind the Golden Globes.

The HFPA came under fire before the awards show this year when it was revealed that none of the organization’s 87 members were black. Hollywood publicists, and now companies like Netflix and Amazon, have said they will withhold talent from participating in HFPA events until change is made.

The organization announced a reform plan this week, but many people in the industry are expressing concern with the proposed changes, especially since there’s no commitment to implement the changes before the 2022 Golden Globes.

Scarlett has now urged people in the industry to “step back” from the organization and she condemned the “sexist questions and remarks” made by members of the HFPA.

Click inside to read her full statement…

“As an actor promoting a film, one is expected to participate in awards season by attending press conferences as well as awards shows. In the past, this has often meant facing sexist questions and remarks by certain HFPA members that bordered on sexual harassment. It is the exact reason why I, for many years, refused to participate in their conferences,” Scarlett said in a statement to Variety.

She continued, “The HFPA is an organization that was legitimized by the likes of Harvey Weinstein to amass momentum for Academy recognition and the industry followed suit. Unless there is necessary fundamental reform within the organization, I believe it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA and focus on the importance and strength of unity within our unions and the industry as a whole.”

Scarlett has been nominated for five Golden Globes during her career.

One of this year’s Golden Globe winners also spoke out in a new statement.