Joanna Lumley, the BAFTA-winning British actress, said women would lose out if awards shows switched to gender-neutral awards.
The Totally genius And Paddington The artist said she wasn’t sure if she should move away from separating the awards by gender, saying it was “a bit weird”.
Ceremonies including the Brit Awards have adopted gender-neutral categories, while BAFTA has said it is actively considering the issue. Emma Corrin, who identifies as non-binary, is a vocal supporter.
Lumley is less enthusiastic about the idea, telling TalkTV: “I know if my name was up against a lot of men for best actor, I wouldn’t stand a chance. But maybe best actress.”
The Brit faced criticism this year after the Artist of the Year award included a list of male nominees including Stormzy and Harry Styles.
Others in the industry believe the gender neutral move is inevitable. Sam Mendes told the BBC earlier this year: “I totally understand that, yes, and I think it might be inevitable at some point… I think that’s the way it goes and I think it’s perfectly reasonable.”
Lumley said she was not at all sure about the prices. She said: “When I read about the Oscars, I realized that to even get on a list, to be shortlisted, you have to lobby and promise things and have lunch. It’s the stars ready I will have to poke around to find people for you, I’m not sure.
Source: Deadline
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
