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Daniel Radcliffe Calls Out Hollywood Racism And Sexism

By Anya Felix
Published on: 04:45 PST, Sep 20, 2016

Daniel Radcliffe has one word for those who’re asking if Hollywood is racist: “yes.”

The Harry Potter star recently called out Hollywood on its racism, sexism, and homophobia in a new interview with BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire.

Radcliffe, who will be appearing in two new films this fall: Imperium and Swiss Army Man, said that Hollywood is racist, sexist, and homophobic, even if it pretends to be otherwise, according to Expose.ie.

“I mean it’s pretty undeniable, that’s the thing, we like to think of ourselves as being a very progressive industry but we have been lagging behind in all kinds of areas and it’s been very well documented.”

Daniel Radcliffe confirmed that the whole film industry, while appearing to be a “very progressive industry,” actually lags behind other industries in its inclusion and diversity.

Speaking especially of the sexism within Hollywood, the actor brought up the topic of equal pay within the American film industry — pointing especially to Jennifer Lawrence, who penned an essay in the Lenny Letter, addressing the jarring wage gap between male and female actors in Hollywood.

Radcliffe said of Lawrence’s essay, “It’s crazy that that [sexism in Hollywood through a wage gap between men and women] still goes on, and it’s also in department to department in the industry too. There are some departments that are predominantly male,” as reported by Expose.ie.

Daniel Radcliffe is also a noted feminist, who recently called out sexism in an interview with Elle UK, saying the following of the film industry — according to Pakistan Today.

“You see amazing male characters, and there is an absolute dearth of roles for women.”

Radcliffe, 27, was also quick to call out the racism in Hollywood. Speaking specifically of the #OscarsSoWhite campaign, the actor spoke of the lack of diversity that was being identified and awarded in Hollywood.

According to Espose.ie, Daniel Radcliffe noted the racism displayed by the Oscars, saying the following.

“I think there’s lots of things about the Oscars, there’s lots of amazing performances every year that don’t get recognised. I feel like there’s a lot that’s unseen about the process.”

Additionally, Radcliffe mentioned the homophobia in Hollywood and the types of roles available to actors and actresses of the LGBTQ community.

According to Gay Times, Daniel Radcliffe spoke specifically about gay typecasting — (repeatedly assigning a gay actor/actress the same type of role that perpetuates stereotypes about the LGBTQ community).

“When asked by host Victoria Derbyshire ‘why so few Hollywood actors had come out as gay,’ Daniel replied ‘I suppose because, then people just want to cast you as gay. I would guess.’

“Victoria, following up, asked: ‘Rather than the lead role, whose married to a woman?’

“‘Yeah, often,’ Daniel responded. ‘I mean, there’s very few [openly gay actors] – well, Neil Patrick Harris has made a career out of playing the the straightest guy on television, which is fantastic.'”

Radcliffe also praised openly gay actor Neil Patrick Harris for avoiding being typecasted but warned that this is not the case for all gay actors and actresses.

However, the actor was not completely pessimistic in this three-pronged attack on Hollywood for its sexism, racism, and homophobia. He did, indeed, see hope for Hollywood to change.

“I do think that now these things have come up things are going to start changing. I’m starting to see it in scripts that I read,” Radcliffe told BBC, according to Expose.ie.

And with this optimistic message about change, Daniel Radcliffe concluded his politically-charged attack on the lack of diversity in Hollywood.

[Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images]

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