*Comedian Jerrod Carmichael was tapped to host Golden Globe Awards which aired Jan.10 and during his opening monologue, he took aim at the “racist” Hollywood Foreign Press, which is the governing body of the annual event.
This year’s Golden Globe Awards returned to NBC after being off the airwaves last year due to diversity issues within the organization.
It seems part of the internal changes made by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) to address the controversy included tapping a Black man to host this year’s ceremony.
“This show, the Golden Globe Awards, did not air last year because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — which I won’t say were a racist organization, but they didn’t have a single Black member until George Floyd died [in 2020]. So, do with that information what you will,” said Carmichael during his opening monologue.
Carmichael said he declined three requests to meet with HFPA president Helen Hoehne ahead of the show — calling the offer “a trap”.
READ MORE: Jerrod Carmichael Jokes About HFPA Scandal at Golden Globes: Full List of Winners
“I’ll tell you why I’m here. I’m here because I’m Black,” Carmichael said, PEOPLE reports. “This show, the Golden Globe Awards, did not air last year because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — which I won’t say were a racist organization, but they didn’t have a single Black member until George Floyd died [in 2020]. So do with that information what you will.”
He continued, “One minute you’re making mint tea at home, the next you’re invited to be the Black face of the embattled White organization. Life really comes extra fast, you know?”
According to multiple reports, Hoehne was offended by his remarks and, per THR, she was allegedly “seen being consoled by friends in the ballroom bar” the outlet writes.
A source with ties to HFPA says this is untrue.
“It’s disappointing and perplexing that people would take this approach to try to hurt Helen. It doesn’t accurately reflect the resilient, positive and effective leader that she is,” the insider said.
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