Friday, March 29, 2024

Usher’s New Competition Series ‘The Activist’ Slammed for ‘Truly Horrific’ Premise

UsherBurdenAtlantaRedCarpetScreeningpH87L0GJ7qIl-e1599860844511

*Social media users are less than impressed with a new show that turns activism into a competition starring celebrities. 

As reported by the New York Post, CBS’s newest reality series, “The Activist,” has yet to premiere and it is already receiving backlash on social media. 

According to Deadline, “‘The Activist’ is a competition series that features six inspiring activists teamed with three high-profile public figures working together to bring meaningful change to one of three vitally important world causes: health, education, and environment.”

Usher, Priyanka Chopra and Julianne Hough will co-host the Global Citizen-produced series.

READ MORE: Usher Responds to T-Pain’s Auto-Tune Comments That Caused Depression

Here’s more from the report:

Activists go head-to-head in challenges to promote their causes, with their success measured via online engagement, social metrics, and hosts’ input. The three teams have one ultimate goal: to create impactful movements that amplify their message, drive action, and advance them to the G20 Summit in Rome, Italy. There, they will meet with world leaders in the hope of securing funding and awareness for their causes. The team that receives the largest commitment is celebrated as the overall winner at the finale, which will also feature musical performances by some of the world’s most passionate artists.

The show’s premise has stirred debate on Twitter. Actress Jameela Jamil wrote, “Couldn’t they just give the money it’s going to take to pay this UNBELIEVABLY expensive talent and make this show, directly to activist causes? Rather than turning activism into a game and then giving a fraction of the much needed money away in a ‘prize…?’ People are dying.”

Another user added, “1. Why the hell are they judging this 2. Why the hell is there a TV show that turns activist into a competition when the whole *essense* of activism is solidarity and community. This is the absolute worst.”

“This is truly horrific, lol. A reality competition show on who can be the next Insta-activist? It’s performative at best, and kinda makes light of the hard work a lot of grassroots [organizations] do on the ground, on a daily basis. Gross,” a third user commented.

Global Citizen responded to the backlash in a statement to Deadline: “The Activist spotlights individuals who’ve made it their life’s work to change the world for the better, as well as the incredible and often challenging work they do on the ground in their communities,” a spokesperson for the group said. “This is not a reality show to trivialize activism. On the contrary, our aim is to support activists everywhere, show the ingenuity and dedication they put into their work, and amplify their causes to an even wider audience.”

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

YOU MAY LIKE

SEARCH

- Advertisement -

TRENDING