Why DEI Still Matters – Especially in Awards Shows

Awards shows have long been seen as glamorous celebrations of artistic achievement, serving as powerful reflections of societal values.

The first major award show is generally considered the first Oscars, which was held on 16th May 1929. A private dinner attended by around 270 people in LA that lasted for around 15 minutes, the Academy Awards, and all awards shows, have since grown into an empire. Comparing the early awards shows to now, you’d think we’d have come on leaps and bounds with DEI initiatives, however this is sadly not the case.

Comparing the early awards shows to now, you’d think we’d have come on leaps and bounds with DEI initiatives, however this is sadly not the case.

DEI isn’t just a policy; it’s a powerful tool for representation and cultural progress. DEI is a fundamental part of every aspect of global society - from representation within the workplace, to local communities and in the media. Awards shows are cultural moments – who we choose to celebrate and who we put on the stage sends a message, and the creative industry should be pioneering DEI.

Halle Berry won Best Actress at the 2022 Oscars – the first and only Black woman to win this award as of 2024. Chloe Zhao became the first woman of colour to win Best Director at the 2021 Oscars, and Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian woman to win Best Actress in 2023 – why are these simple DEI achievements so recent, and few and far between?

Nikki Glaser & the Golden Globes: A Long Overdue First

In January this year, Nikki Glaser became the first solo female host of the legendary Golden Globes – an awards show that’s been around since 1944.

Her performance was sharp, funny, and incredibly well received with viewers and critics alike. Golden Globes President, Helen Hoehne, praised Nikki for bringing a “refreshing spark and fearless wit” to the stage.

So much so, that she’s been confirmed to host the 83rd annual show in January 2026. This fantastic, meaningful shift towards inclusivity bodes well for the argument that fresh perspectives can re-energise legacy events.

But why has it taken so long for a solo woman to host the awards? If it’s taken 80+ years for this, we must consider: who else has been left out?

Hosting Is About More Than Jokes - It’s About Voice

Whilst it’s easy to see the host as a light-hearted lead for the event, they actually represent more than you may consciously realise...

They frame the night: introducing the talent, making cultural commentary and guiding the audience’s emotional tone, they also act as the spokesperson for the show.

A diverse range of hosts brings different perspectives, styles and humour to the stage. This allows for larger audience interest as they resonate with said host, which not only boosts viewers on the night, but also generates interest in the brand – adding credibility to the organisation.

By ensuring that there’s representation on stage, it reflects deeper industry shifts. Diverse hosts help spotlight the need for broader inclusion across production, nominations and decision-making roles.

Diversity in the Spotlight: Who Gets Celebrated?

It’s important that inclusion is present throughout every area of awards shows. From the host to the nominees, winners and the crew behind the scenes, ensuring that every team is representing all walks of life is crucial.

Audiences want to see stories and talent that reflect their lives and experiences, as people are more likely to gravitate towards those who have a similar upbringing or values as themselves.

73% of Gen Z say that seeing people like themselves in media influences their perception of whether they belong in certain spaces (McKinsey, 2021), along with the majority of workers (56%) saying that focusing on increasing DEI efforts at work is a good thing. All of these positive statistics showcase just how crucial DEI is, and why it needs to be celebrated in the media!

Inclusion inspires, which is why it’s vital to have diversity in every area of your event; those wishing to win awards, host the evening or be part of the camera crew can look to those currently doing so to prove that it’s possible!

The Events Industry Has a Responsibility and an Opportunity

With institutional DEI efforts facing pressure, the creative industries can (and should) be setting the tone for progress, with their powerful stages and platforms.

Lack of diversity can also create public backlash; remember the #OscarsSoWhite campaign in response to the 87th Academy Awards in 2015? This was due to all 20 acting nominees being white, with the issue persisting into 2016, which ultimately called for widespread criticism and demand for change.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, therefore, implemented reforms aimed at increasing diversity. By 2020, the Academy reported that its new member class was 45% women, 36% from underrepresented ethnic/racial communities and 49% international.

The same happened at the 2020 BAFTA Awards, with all 20 acting nominees being white, resulting in #BaftasSoWhite taking over.

Despite this effort, the 2023 BAFTA Awards saw all major acting awards go to white performers, which re-ignited the #BaftasSoWhite debate and raised many questions about the effectiveness of the Academy’s reform claims.

Looking at the list of previous Golden Globe hosts, the lack of diversity is clear – how would you feel if this list represented your organisation?

What Speakers' Bureaus Can Do to Support DEI

We have access to thousands of diverse keynote speakers, conference facilitators, entertainment acts and awards hosts in every industry imaginable.

With this accessibility comes great responsibility and influence to recommend talent that reflects modern audiences.

When we organise our own events, including our annual Comedy Collectives, and various Showcases (Inspiring Stories Showcase,  B Corp Showcase to name a few), we ensure that our line-ups are representative of diverse backgrounds.

It’s more than credentials, it’s about who’s behind the mic and the messages that person sends, which is why we ensure that we’re being as inclusive as possible.

Ready to Book a More Inclusive Event?

We support making events as inclusive as possible. Whether that’s with a diverse line-up of a few different speakers within the same industry, or speakers who specifically speak about DEI, we’re committed to ensuring that DEI is present within your event.

We have diverse speakers in every industry imaginable – from leadership, to technology, to TV presenters.

However, we also have speakers who are solely dedicated to educating workforces on how to be more inclusive and diverse – see our DEI speakers here.

Not sure where to begin? Get in touch with us and we can support you in your search. We’ll ensure that we align your events' DEI values perfectly with your selected speaker, host or facilitator.