In 2015, the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag was introduced by activist and writer April Reign. She now reveals that she does not typically watch award shows live, citing the recent Emmys as a prime example. During Monday night’s Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast, there was a noticeable lack of diversity among the winners. All 10 awards presented went to white performers, completely excluding actors of color from the major acting categories.
April Reign expressed her views, stating, “It’s not a regression, it’s definitely a stall.” The supporting actor and supporting actress in a limited series awards were distributed during the previous week at the Creative Arts Emmys, yet these winners did not alter the diversity imbalance.
Following the awards ceremony, the hashtag #EmmysSoWhite began trending, with users voicing their dissatisfaction with the Television Academy’s selections. Reign initiated the #OscarsSoWhite movement in 2015 after all 20 acting nominees for that year’s Academy Awards were white. Despite some efforts to address these inequalities in subsequent years, Reign criticized the outcomes of this year’s Emmys, emphasizing that this trend is not an isolated incident but a systemic issue within the voting institution.
According to a transparency report released by the Television Academy in February, 67% of its members in 2026 were white. While the report highlighted a consistent increase in membership among individuals identifying as multiracial, East Asian, Southeast Asian, women, non-binary, transgender, and intersex voters, Reign underscored the necessity for discussions on representation to commence well before award season. She emphasized the significance of evaluating the decisions made by writers, casting directors, and other industry professionals who influence the portrayal of characters on screen.
Although actors of color were overlooked in the major acting categories during the Emmys broadcast, Hiro Murai, a director, secured an award for his work on “Widow’s Bay.” Notably, he became the first Asian filmmaker to win best directing for a comedy series at the Emmys. The representation at the Emmys this year saw a decline even before the ceremony began, with only 17 performers of color receiving acting nominations, a significant decrease from the previous year’s 28 nominations.
The Emmy Awards have previously faced criticism for a lack of diversity in nominations and winners. The conversation surrounding representation and inclusivity in the entertainment industry continues to evolve, with ongoing calls for better diversity and equality in all aspects of television production.