In 2015, April Reign, an activist and writer, introduced the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. She now reveals that she prefers not to watch live award shows, citing the recent Emmys as an example. During Monday night’s Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast, there was a noticeable lack of diversity among the winners. Notably, actors of color were completely excluded from the major acting categories, with all 10 televised awards going to white performers. Reign expressed that this development is not a step backward but rather a standstill in progress.
The supporting actor and supporting actress awards in a limited series were presented last week at the Creative Arts Emmys, but the recipients did not alter the diversity balance. The absence of actors of color from the major acting categories at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards led to the trending hashtag #EmmysSoWhite on social media the following morning. Users criticized the Television Academy for the lack of diversity.
Reign initiated the #OscarsSoWhite campaign in 2015 after all 20 acting nominees for that year’s Academy Awards were white. Despite some efforts to address these disparities in the following years, Reign highlighted the outcome of Monday’s awards as a recurring issue rather than an isolated incident. The Television Academy’s transparency report for 2026 revealed that 67% of its members were white, emphasizing the need for increased representation in the industry.
Reign emphasized the importance of addressing diversity throughout the production process, from writers and casting directors to decision-makers behind the scenes. She stressed the need to start conversations about representation long before awards season, advocating for a more inclusive approach in storytelling and character representation.
While actors of color were not recognized during the primetime broadcast of the Emmys, Ernest Harden Jr. and Octavia Spencer received awards for their guest roles in “The Pitt” and for narrating “Lost Women of Alaska,” respectively. Additionally, director Hiro Murai made history as the first Asian filmmaker to win best directing for a comedy series at the Emmys, underscoring the need for greater diversity in the industry.
The article also highlighted the decline in diversity at the Emmys, with only 17 performers of color receiving acting nominations in 2026, compared to 28 the previous year. Despite efforts to promote diversity, recent years have seen a lack of representation among award winners, prompting ongoing discussions about inclusivity in the industry.