A week before the 78th annual Golden Globe Awards, the organization behind the ceremony is facing a scathing exposé regarding the functioning and ethics of the organisation.&nbsp;

According to LA Times, there are zero Black journalists among the 87 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the organization, whose ethics have long been questioned, dating back to an FCC investigation that led to a broadcast ban from 1968-74 and the Pia Zadora scandal of 1982, is continuing to allow its members to behave in ways that call into question their ethics and integrity.

The HFPA is not only allowing its members to receive lavish perks from the studios and networks whose projects they later write about and vote on, such as a junket in France that might help explain recent Golden Globe nominations for the critically maligned TV series Emily in Paris, among other head-scratchers. But the organization, which is a nonprofit, is also paying its own members,&nbsp;substantial amounts of money to serve as officers and on various committees.

Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa filed an antitrust lawsuit against the HFPA last year alleging that the organization was depriving her of potential income by barring her and other qualified journalists from becoming members in order to protect the sale value of current members’ reportage in various international territories.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-golden-globes-2021-full-nominations-list-golden-globes-news-hollywood-news-361111">Golden Globes 2021: Full nominations list</a>

LA Times report also quoted&nbsp;current HFPA members who accuse the group of arbitrarily rejecting “well-credentialed foreign journalists” who apply for membership in favor of people who “aren’t serious journalists.” One member who was granted anonymity said, “We admit people that are not real journalists because they are not a threat to anyone.”

An HFPA spokesperson told the LA Times that Flaa’s claims are “entirely false,” but said the organization is “committed to addressing” its lack of diversity. 
 
This year’s Golden Globe nominations were slammed for omitting from its two best picture categories films featuring primarily Black casts, such as 'Da 5 Bloods', 'Judas and the Black Messiah', 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom', and 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday', and not nominating the critically acclaimed TV series I May Destroy You, which features a Black cast, in any categories. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/da-5-bloods-bridgerton-golden-globe-2021-snubs-find-mention-in-sag-award-nomination-list-361518">'Da 5 Bloods', Bridgerton': Golden Globe 2021 snubs find mention in SAG Award nomination list</a>

Many observers also were confounded by the multiple major nominations for<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/thousands-sign-petition-to-remove-sia-from-golden-globe-awards-2021-nominations-list-364703"> Sia’s Music which garnered major controversy and backlash from the Autistic community</a> and the aforementioned TV series 'Emily in Paris'.&nbsp; LA Times reports that Paramount Television flew more than 30 HFPA members to France in 2019 to visit the set of the Emily in Paris. There, they were treated to “a two-night stay at the five-star Peninsula Paris hotel, where rooms currently start at about $1,400 a night, and a news conference and lunch at the Musée des Arts Forains, a private museum filled with amusement rides dating to 1850 where the show was shooting,”

While one HFPA member told the Times that the backlash to the nominations was warranted, the HFPA rep told the Times that “we do not control the individual votes of our members. … We seek to build cultural understanding through film and TV and recognize how the power of creative storytelling can educate people around the world to issues of race, representation and orientation.”

The report further alleged that HFPA members were among the beneficiaries of a $125,000 emergency relief fund for journalists impacted by the pandemic that the organization had set up with the Los Angeles Press Club. A source close to the HFPA told&nbsp;The Hollywood Reporter that the organization “did not place conditions on who the LAPC awarded grants to other than the condition that the money goes to journalists in need in accordance with the LAPC’s charitable mission. Like all donors to reputable charitable organizations, we expect the LAPC used those funds in furtherance of their laudable charitable activities.”

A week before the 78th annual Golden Globe Awards, the organization behind the ceremony is facing a scathing exposé regarding the functioning and ethics of the organisation.

A week before the 78th annual Golden Globe Awards, the organization behind the ceremony is facing a scathing exposé regarding the functioning and ethics of the organisation. According to LA Times, there are zero Black journalists among the 87 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the organization, whose ethics have long been questioned, dating back to an FCC investigation that led to a broadcast ban from 1968-74 and the Pia Zadora scandal of 1982, is continuing to allow its members to behave in ways that call into question their ethics and integrity. The HFPA is not only allowing its members to receive lavish perks from the studios and networks whose projects they later write about and vote on, such as a junket in France that might help explain recent Golden Globe nominations for the critically maligned TV series Emily in Paris, among other head-scratchers. But the organization, which is a nonprofit, is also paying its own members, substantial amounts of money to serve as officers and on various committees. Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa filed an antitrust lawsuit against the HFPA last year alleging that the organization was depriving her of potential income by barring her and other qualified journalists from becoming members in order to protect the sale value of current members’ reportage in various international territories. Golden Globes 2021: Full nominations list LA Times report also quoted current HFPA members who accuse the group of arbitrarily rejecting “well-credentialed foreign journalists” who apply for membership in favor of people who “aren’t serious journalists.” One member who was granted anonymity said, “We admit people that are not real journalists because they are not a threat to anyone.” An HFPA spokesperson told the LA Times that Flaa’s claims are “entirely false,” but said the organization is “committed to addressing” its lack of diversity. This year’s Golden Globe nominations were slammed for omitting from its two best picture categories films featuring primarily Black casts, such as 'Da 5 Bloods', 'Judas and the Black Messiah', 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom', and 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday', and not nominating the critically acclaimed TV series I May Destroy You, which features a Black cast, in any categories. 'Da 5 Bloods', Bridgerton': Golden Globe 2021 snubs find mention in SAG Award nomination list Many observers also were confounded by the multiple major nominations for Sia’s Music which garnered major controversy and backlash from the Autistic community and the aforementioned TV series 'Emily in Paris'. LA Times reports that Paramount Television flew more than 30 HFPA members to France in 2019 to visit the set of the Emily in Paris. There, they were treated to “a two-night stay at the five-star Peninsula Paris hotel, where rooms currently start at about $1,400 a night, and a news conference and lunch at the Musée des Arts Forains, a private museum filled with amusement rides dating to 1850 where the show was shooting,” While one HFPA member told the Times that the backlash to the nominations was warranted, the HFPA rep told the Times that “we do not control the individual votes of our members. … We seek to build cultural understanding through film and TV and recognize how the power of creative storytelling can educate people around the world to issues of race, representation and orientation.” The report further alleged that HFPA members were among the beneficiaries of a $125,000 emergency relief fund for journalists impacted by the pandemic that the organization had set up with the Los Angeles Press Club. A source close to the HFPA told The Hollywood Reporter that the organization “did not place conditions on who the LAPC awarded grants to other than the condition that the money goes to journalists in need in accordance with the LAPC’s charitable mission. Like all donors to reputable charitable organizations, we expect the LAPC used those funds in furtherance of their laudable charitable activities.”

Lack of Black members in HFPA raises questions about ethics of Golden Globe voters

Rihanna and A$AP enjoyed a cosy dinner in New York over the weekend sparking dating rumours, meanwhil BTS album BE has topped the music charts. Here are the top stories of the day.&nbsp; 
 
BTS' new album 'BE' tops album chart 
 
BTS fans have another reason to rejoice! The South-Korean band`s released album `BE` has hit the blockbuster mark conquering the album chart. According to Variety, the new album launched by BTS band `BE` is a new blockbuster number, which has successfully sold full 136,700 copies.

Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bts-new-album-be-tops-album-chart-346644">https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bts-new-album-be-tops-album-chart-346644</a>

Guests attend Lil Wayne's daughter Reginae's birthday bash without masks, flout social distancing norms 
Even as Covid cases are on the rise in America, several celebrities time and again are seen flouting basic safety norms. After Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Cardi B now Reginae Carter is facing the heat for celebrating her birthday where guests were seen flouting safety protocols. 
 
Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/guests-attend-lil-waynes-daughter-reginaes-birthday-bash-without-masks-flout-social-distancing-norms-346672">https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/guests-attend-lil-waynes-daughter-reginaes-birthday-bash-without-masks-flout-social-distancing-norms-346672</a>

Rihanna spotted with rumoured boyfriend A$AP Rocky on a dinner date in NYC 
 
Rihanna is not single anymore. In fact the Pop icon has been in a relationship since the beginning of the year. The singer-fashion designer was recently spotted enjoying an intimate dinner date with A$AP Rocky at a restaurant in New York.&nbsp; 
 
Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/rihanna-spotted-with-rumoured-boyfriend-aap-rocky-on-a-dinner-date-in-nyc-346745">https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/rihanna-spotted-with-rumoured-boyfriend-aap-rocky-on-a-dinner-date-in-nyc-346745</a>

'The Crown' has a moral responsibility to tell viewers that it's fiction, says Helena Bonham Carter 
'The Crown' Season 4's Princess Margaret, Helena Bonham Carter says that the show has a moral responsibility to tell viewers that it is a work of fiction and not historical fact after the show faced some criticism from royal supporters. 
 
Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-crown-has-a-moral-responsibility-to-tell-viewers-that-its-fiction-says-helena-bonham-carter-346735">https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-crown-has-a-moral-responsibility-to-tell-viewers-that-its-fiction-says-helena-bonham-carter-346735</a>

Jodie Whittaker reveals major cast changes are underway on 'Doctor Who' series

Since Jodie Whittaker started playing the titular Time Lord in 'Doctor Who' the character began to gather around her a "fam" of friends comprising Bradley Walsh's Graham, Tosin Cole's Ryan, and Mandip Gill's Yaz. But, it seems, the family will soon be no more, at least in its current iteration.

Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jodie-whittaker-reveals-major-cast-changes-are-underway-on-doctor-who-series-346754">https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jodie-whittaker-reveals-major-cast-changes-are-underway-on-doctor-who-series-346754</a>

Rihanna and A$AP enjoyed a cosy dinner in New York over the weekend sparking dating rumours, meanwhil BTS album BE has topped the music charts. Here are the top stories of the day.

Rihanna and A$AP enjoyed a cosy dinner in New York over the weekend sparking dating rumours, meanwhil BTS album BE has topped the music charts. Here are the top stories of the day. BTS' new album 'BE' tops album chart BTS fans have another reason to rejoice! The South-Korean band`s released album `BE` has hit the blockbuster mark conquering the album chart. According to Variety, the new album launched by BTS band `BE` is a new blockbuster number, which has successfully sold full 136,700 copies. Read more: https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bts-new-album-be-tops-album-chart-346644 Guests attend Lil Wayne's daughter Reginae's birthday bash without masks, flout social distancing norms Even as Covid cases are on the rise in America, several celebrities time and again are seen flouting basic safety norms. After Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Cardi B now Reginae Carter is facing the heat for celebrating her birthday where guests were seen flouting safety protocols. Read more: https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/guests-attend-lil-waynes-daughter-reginaes-birthday-bash-without-masks-flout-social-distancing-norms-346672 Rihanna spotted with rumoured boyfriend A$AP Rocky on a dinner date in NYC Rihanna is not single anymore. In fact the Pop icon has been in a relationship since the beginning of the year. The singer-fashion designer was recently spotted enjoying an intimate dinner date with A$AP Rocky at a restaurant in New York. Read more: https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/rihanna-spotted-with-rumoured-boyfriend-aap-rocky-on-a-dinner-date-in-nyc-346745 'The Crown' has a moral responsibility to tell viewers that it's fiction, says Helena Bonham Carter 'The Crown' Season 4's Princess Margaret, Helena Bonham Carter says that the show has a moral responsibility to tell viewers that it is a work of fiction and not historical fact after the show faced some criticism from royal supporters. Read more: https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-crown-has-a-moral-responsibility-to-tell-viewers-that-its-fiction-says-helena-bonham-carter-346735 Jodie Whittaker reveals major cast changes are underway on 'Doctor Who' series Since Jodie Whittaker started playing the titular Time Lord in 'Doctor Who' the character began to gather around her a "fam" of friends comprising Bradley Walsh's Graham, Tosin Cole's Ryan, and Mandip Gill's Yaz. But, it seems, the family will soon be no more, at least in its current iteration. Read more: https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jodie-whittaker-reveals-major-cast-changes-are-underway-on-doctor-who-series-346754

Top 5 Hollywood news today: BTS album 'BE' tops charts, Rihanna spotted on a date with A$AP Rocky

Hollywood actress Natalie Portman stunned at the Oscars red carpet as she honoured all women directors last year that failed to get recognised by The Academy.

Sporting a crop hair look with her black cape gown, Natalie made a statement at the red carpet as she threw light on how The Academy fails to recognise the work of women directors every year. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2020-live-updates-hollywood-1917-or-parasite-279624">Catch all the live updates from Oscars ceremony here. </a>

Her Oscars gown features names of women directors along the hem: Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers), Lulu Wang (The Farewell), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Melina Matsoukas (Queen &amp; Slim) Alma Har’el (Honey Boy), Céline Sciamma (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) and Mati Diop (Atlantics).

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natalie portman wore a dior cape embroidered with all of the female directors who weren't nominated <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oscars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#oscars</a> <a href="https://t.co/fjd6CeuQUc">pic.twitter.com/fjd6CeuQUc</a>
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When the nominations list came out earlier last month, The Academy faced criticism for being sexist as it failed to nominate work by any female director in its coveted lists.

This is not the first time that Natalie has raised her voice for female directors as in 2018 Golden Globes, while presenting the best directors award, she introduced it as “and now, here are the all male nominees” before announcing the winner.

Meanwhile, the 92nd Academy Awards has started with a bang as the first award of the night was given out to Brad Pitt as he took home the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’.

Hollywood actress Natalie Portman stunned at the Oscars red carpet as she honoured all women directors last year that failed to get recognised by The Academy. Sporting a crop hair look with her black cape gown, Natalie made a statement at the red carpet as she threw light on how The Academy fails to recognise the work of women directors every year.

Hollywood actress Natalie Portman stunned at the Oscars red carpet as she honoured all women directors last year that failed to get recognised by The Academy. Sporting a crop hair look with her black cape gown, Natalie made a statement at the red carpet as she threw light on how The Academy fails to recognise the work of women directors every year. Catch all the live updates from Oscars ceremony here. Her Oscars gown features names of women directors along the hem: Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers), Lulu Wang (The Farewell), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Melina Matsoukas (Queen & Slim) Alma Har’el (Honey Boy), Céline Sciamma (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) and Mati Diop (Atlantics). natalie portman wore a dior cape embroidered with all of the female directors who weren't nominated #oscars pic.twitter.com/fjd6CeuQUc — iconic (@faveslooks) February 10, 2020 × When the nominations list came out earlier last month, The Academy faced criticism for being sexist as it failed to nominate work by any female director in its coveted lists. This is not the first time that Natalie has raised her voice for female directors as in 2018 Golden Globes, while presenting the best directors award, she introduced it as “and now, here are the all male nominees” before announcing the winner. Meanwhile, the 92nd Academy Awards has started with a bang as the first award of the night was given out to Brad Pitt as he took home the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’.

Natalie Portman honours women directors snubbed by The Academy via her Oscars gown

Nik Powell, co-founder of Virgin Records with Richard Branson and a producer of movies including best picture Oscar nominee 'The Crying Game', passed away at the age of 69. His death was announced by the National Film and Television School. Powell was undergoing cancer treatment and passed away on Thursday in Oxford, England, reported the news agency. 
 
Nik had served amongst National Film and Television School's renowned director from 2003-17. "He loved the school deeply and was incredibly proud of every one of our graduates," said the NFTS in a statement. 
 
"Nik leaves a lasting legacy and will be missed by us all," added the statement. Powell and Stephen Woolley propelled the U K&nbsp;label Palace Pictures in 1982, and he was a producer on three movies from writer-director Neil Jordan: 'The Company of Wolves'&nbsp;1984, 'Mona Lisa'&nbsp;1986&nbsp;and 'The Crying Game'&nbsp;1992, for which Jordan earned the first screenplay Oscar. 
 
Powell and Woolley went on to establish Scalla Productions in 1992, and Powell had producing credits on such other films as Backbeat 1994, 'The Neon Bible'&nbsp;1995, 'Twenty Four Seven'&nbsp;1997, 'Fever Pitch'1997, 'Understanding Jane'&nbsp;2001, 'Last Orders'&nbsp;2001, 'Ladies in Lavender'&nbsp;2004&nbsp;and 'Brimstone'&nbsp;2016. 
 
Powell and Branson were childhood companions&nbsp;collaborated with Simon Draper and Tom Newman to establish Virgin Records as a mail-order record operation in 1972; after Powell left for the motion-picture business, the company was sold to EMI in 1992 for $960 million. 
 
Powell was also in service as chairman of the EuNik Powell, 'The Crying Game'&nbsp;producer passes away at European Film Academy from 1996-2003 and then was vice-chairman.NFTS Director Jon Wardle said he lived five incredibly happy years&nbsp;working with Powell as his deputy at the film school. 
 
"He told me recently how his work to support and develop NFTS students to reach their full potential was probably the professional achievement he was most proud of," said Wardle."The culmination of his work at the school was recognized in 2018 when together we collected the BAFTA for outstanding British contribution to cinema," added Wardle. 
 
"Nik leaves an unrivaled legacy, and no one has done more than him to set the bar high. We will continue to strive for the future success of the school in his honor," Wardle concluded.&nbsp;

Nik Powell, co-founder of Virgin Records with Richard Branson and a producer of movies including best picture Oscar nominee 'The Crying Game', passed away at the age of 69.

Nik Powell, co-founder of Virgin Records with Richard Branson and a producer of movies including best picture Oscar nominee 'The Crying Game', passed away at the age of 69. His death was announced by the National Film and Television School. Powell was undergoing cancer treatment and passed away on Thursday in Oxford, England, reported the news agency. Nik had served amongst National Film and Television School's renowned director from 2003-17. "He loved the school deeply and was incredibly proud of every one of our graduates," said the NFTS in a statement. "Nik leaves a lasting legacy and will be missed by us all," added the statement. Powell and Stephen Woolley propelled the U K label Palace Pictures in 1982, and he was a producer on three movies from writer-director Neil Jordan: 'The Company of Wolves' 1984, 'Mona Lisa' 1986 and 'The Crying Game' 1992, for which Jordan earned the first screenplay Oscar. Powell and Woolley went on to establish Scalla Productions in 1992, and Powell had producing credits on such other films as Backbeat 1994, 'The Neon Bible' 1995, 'Twenty Four Seven' 1997, 'Fever Pitch'1997, 'Understanding Jane' 2001, 'Last Orders' 2001, 'Ladies in Lavender' 2004 and 'Brimstone' 2016. Powell and Branson were childhood companions collaborated with Simon Draper and Tom Newman to establish Virgin Records as a mail-order record operation in 1972; after Powell left for the motion-picture business, the company was sold to EMI in 1992 for $960 million. Powell was also in service as chairman of the EuNik Powell, 'The Crying Game' producer passes away at European Film Academy from 1996-2003 and then was vice-chairman.NFTS Director Jon Wardle said he lived five incredibly happy years working with Powell as his deputy at the film school. "He told me recently how his work to support and develop NFTS students to reach their full potential was probably the professional achievement he was most proud of," said Wardle."The culmination of his work at the school was recognized in 2018 when together we collected the BAFTA for outstanding British contribution to cinema," added Wardle. "Nik leaves an unrivaled legacy, and no one has done more than him to set the bar high. We will continue to strive for the future success of the school in his honor," Wardle concluded.

'The Crying Game' producer Nik Powell passes away at 69

Although her name is not well known to most of the public, Germaine Franco made history by becoming the first Latina composer to be invited to join the Hollywood Academy and now she has written the musical score for the comedy film "Tag," which will soon be released by Warner Bros. 
 
"When I presented my application to enter the Academy I did so timidly because I thought I'd never get in, and so their call was something very special," Franco said in an interview with EFE at her recording studio in Culver City, California. 
 
In 2016, after a career of more than 25 years as a musical producer, percussionist and assistant composition arranger for independent films, Franco was inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, music branch. 
 
"That made me feel very proud because there are many doors that are closed to Latinas like me," said the artist who has left her musical stamp on more than 40 feature films, including "The Italian Job," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "X-Men: The Last Stand," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Toy Story 3." 
 
Even so, she said that she was given the opportunity to join the Academy on her merits, "not just for being Latina." 
 
"If they wanted more Latinos, they could have done so long ago. The doors are closed for many people like me, but in the Academy, we're trying to open them to all those who deserve it," she emphasised, alluding to the A2020 initiative, the aim of which is to diversify the Academy membership and push the industry to give new opportunities to minorities. 
 
Franco says that her peak professional moment - so far - was to receive the prestigious ASCAP Shirley Walker Award. 
 
In addition, on June 15 "Tag" will be released, the first film on which she is the main composer for a big film studio. 
 
"And on top of that, it's a film starring almost all men," she said, laughing. "I tried to make different music, without using the bongo or the triangle, which are stereotypes in this kind of film. I went with electronic sounds, band and orchestra music." 
 
That opportunity came her way after the international success of "Coco," on which she worked as an assistant composer. The Pixar film brought in more than $800 million and won two Oscars with its Day of the Dead theme. 
 
"People saw that Mexico is not just mariachis playing in a bar ... That was my challenge, showing the musical wealth that the country has and its mixture of indigenous, African and Spanish races," the California artist born to Mexican parents said. 
&nbsp;

Her musical score for the comedy film "Tag," will soon be released by Warner Bros.

Although her name is not well known to most of the public, Germaine Franco made history by becoming the first Latina composer to be invited to join the Hollywood Academy and now she has written the musical score for the comedy film "Tag," which will soon be released by Warner Bros. "When I presented my application to enter the Academy I did so timidly because I thought I'd never get in, and so their call was something very special," Franco said in an interview with EFE at her recording studio in Culver City, California. In 2016, after a career of more than 25 years as a musical producer, percussionist and assistant composition arranger for independent films, Franco was inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, music branch. "That made me feel very proud because there are many doors that are closed to Latinas like me," said the artist who has left her musical stamp on more than 40 feature films, including "The Italian Job," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "X-Men: The Last Stand," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Toy Story 3." Even so, she said that she was given the opportunity to join the Academy on her merits, "not just for being Latina." "If they wanted more Latinos, they could have done so long ago. The doors are closed for many people like me, but in the Academy, we're trying to open them to all those who deserve it," she emphasised, alluding to the A2020 initiative, the aim of which is to diversify the Academy membership and push the industry to give new opportunities to minorities. Franco says that her peak professional moment - so far - was to receive the prestigious ASCAP Shirley Walker Award. In addition, on June 15 "Tag" will be released, the first film on which she is the main composer for a big film studio. "And on top of that, it's a film starring almost all men," she said, laughing. "I tried to make different music, without using the bongo or the triangle, which are stereotypes in this kind of film. I went with electronic sounds, band and orchestra music." That opportunity came her way after the international success of "Coco," on which she worked as an assistant composer. The Pixar film brought in more than $800 million and won two Oscars with its Day of the Dead theme. "People saw that Mexico is not just mariachis playing in a bar ... That was my challenge, showing the musical wealth that the country has and its mixture of indigenous, African and Spanish races," the California artist born to Mexican parents said.

Germaine Franco, first Latina composer to become a member of Hollywood Academy