Cynthia Erivohas decided to not perform at the BAFTA Awards after an all-white nominations list.
The actress, 33, who was snubbed for her Golden Globe and SAG Award-nominated performance inHarriet, confirmed toExtrathat she declined to perform at the British awards show.
“I felt like [the invitation] didn’t represent people of color in the right light,” she told the outlet. “It felt like it was calling on me as an entertainer as opposed to a person who was a part of the world of film, and I think that it’s important to make it known that it’s not something you throw in as a party trick, you know?” she continued.
“I work hard and every single person of color who is working in these films this year has worked really hard, and there are many of them who deserve to be celebrated,” Erivo added. “And no women directors, I was just like, ‘C’mon.'”
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
She was snubbed for a BAFTA Award when the announcement for the nominations was made on Tuesday. The awards show was also slammed for leaving out actors of color completely from its major acting categories.
Awkwafina made history Sunday night at theGolden Globesafter she became the first Asian actress to pick up a best actress win. The comedic actress did land a Rising Star BAFTA nomination.
The British Academy Film Awards nominating committee addressed the backlash shortly after the nominations were announced.
“We’d have liked to have seen more diversity in the nominations, it does continue to be an industry-wide issue,” BAFTA’s director of awards, Emma Baehr,toldThe Hollywood Reporterfollowing the nominations. “I think more films need to be made, and entered, giving people a chance to see them. We’d absolutely like to see more diversity, but I also don’t want to take away from those celebrating today.”
The 2020 BAFTA Awards will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Feb. 2.
source: people.com
