Hugh Jackman is echoing stars calling for gender-neutral categories (Picture: Marion Curtis/StarPix for Sony Pictures Classics/Shutterstock)
Hugh Jackman has backed the push for gender-neutral acting gongs ahead of the 2023 awards season.
The 54-year-old star has revealed that he would support an overhaul of awards ceremonies, arguing that gendered acting categories should be done with for good.
Sharing his thoughts on the subject, Hugh – who has been nominated for the best actor in a motion picture gong at the Golden Globes for his performance in The Son – said: ‘That would be a really positive step.
‘I don’t understand why it’s split into just two genders when we all know it’s a much bigger spectrum.’
While the Greatest Showman star acknowledges that an overhaul would reduce his chances of personal success, he ultimately believes that a change is needed.
He told the BBC: ‘Whatever the mix is, we should maybe just break down any of those categories that end up being divisive and unnecessary.’
The actor ‘doesn’t understand’ why categories are still split into two genders (Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images)
The star’s comments echo those of Emma Corrin, after the Lady Chatterley’s Lover actor shared their hope the Oscars would move to gender-neutral categories.
Emma, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, said they did not believe current categories were currently ‘inclusive enough’.
Emma Corrin recently encouraged the Oscars to scrap gendered categories (Picture: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Corrin, 26, who has won a Golden Globe for their performance as Princess Diana in series four of the Netflix royal drama, said of the possibility of gender-neutral categories at major awards shows: ‘I hope for a future in which that happens.’
They continued: ‘I don’t think the categories are inclusive enough at the moment. It’s about everyone being able to feel acknowledged and represented.’
When interviewed by BBC Radio 4’s Today, they argued more representation was needed in the entertainment industry to encourage ‘urgency’ around addressing the subject.
The Brits made the move to gender-neutral categories in 2022 (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
‘When it comes to categories, do we need to make it specific as to whether you’re being nominated for a female role or a male role?’ they said.
‘You can discuss awards and representation, but really the conversation needs to be about having more representation in the material itself.’
‘The content that we are seeing for non-binary people, for queer people, for trans people – I think that will change a lot.’
There have already been moves made in scrapping gendered categories, with the Brit Awards making history by scrapping such categories for the first time at the 2022 ceremony.
Instead, the nominations consisted of gender-neutral categories including artist of the year and hip hop/rap/grime act, doing away with the likes of British female artist and British male artist.
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‘I don’t understand why it’s split into just two genders when we all know it’s a much bigger spectrum.’
