Tom Cruise Returns Golden Globes to Protest HFPA

While there is no shortage of comments one could make about Tom Cruise’s private life, as far as his career goes, he does take his work in the entertainment industry seriously. So to hear that he willingly gave up three awards for three of his major movies is quite surprising, though perhaps what’s more surprising is the reason he did it.

A source allegedly close to Cruise told CNN on Monday that the famous actor has returned the three Golden Globe awards he won for Jerry Maguire in 1997, Born on the Fourth of July in 1990, Magnolia in 2000 to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Why? To join the growing protest against the HFPA.

The HFPA, the organization that manages the Golden Globes awards, has been in hot water recently for a stunning lack of diversity among its ranks. Back in February, a Los Angeles Times report revealed that of the organization’s 87 members, not a single one is Black. Ethical concerns about some of the financial benefits offered to the members were also raised.

Tom Cruise has returned the 3 Golden Globe trophies he has won over the years as a sign of protest against the HFPA.

(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/3Fp2RQYLi9

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 10, 2021

On the heels of this, both actors and networks have taken steps to distance themselves from the HFPA and their events.

“We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right. As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes,” NBC told CNN Business.

“As an actor promoting a film, one is expected to participate in awards season by attending press conferences as well as awards shows,” Scarlett Johansson said in a statement to Variety. “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. 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.”