Shonda Rhimes Upset Over Lack of Diversity in Television at Guild Directors of America Awards

While just about everyone is still steaming from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ Grammy sweep over Kendrick Lamar, Shonda Rhimes, creator of Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice is expressing her dismay over an award she recently received.

Rhimes and Scandal Executive Producer Betsy Beers were awarded the Diversity Award at the Directors Guild of America Awards Saturday (Jan. 25) night in Los Angeles.

During her acceptance speech, Rhimes spoke on both her and Beers’ behalf saying, “We’re a little pissed off because there still needs to be an award. Like, there’s such a lack of people hiring women and minorities that when someone does it on a regular basis, they are given an award.”

Rhimes noted that the lack of diversity most likely stems from people hiring their friends as opposed to looking elsewhere for talent. She said that this has essentially created a “white boys club.”

She wanted to be clear in her message of diversity and equal opportunity.

“Different voices make for different visions. Different visions make for something original,” Rhimes said. “Original is what the public is starving for.”

Before leaving the stage, Rhimes and Beers expressed their gratitude and thanked the DGA for recognizing the problem.

 

-Erika Benton-Martin (@leftcoast_rika)