Priyanka Chopra’s co-host Julianne Hough takes note after ‘The Activist’ backlash
Actor-singer Julianne Hough recently responded to the ongoing criticism about her upcoming reality competition series ‘The Activist’, which also stars global stars Priyanka Chopra and singer Usher as his co-judge. The CBS and Global Citizen-produced series brings together six activists from around the world to work together “to drive meaningful change in one of three urgent universal causes: health, education and the environment.”
Their success is judged on the basis of social media engagement through digital media campaigns. Recently the show was slammed for being ‘swar-deaf’ and ‘insensitive’. Responding to the overwhelming response via an Instagram post on Tuesday, Huff wrote, “The last few days have been a powerful display of real-time activism. For using your voices, calling me in, your accountability and your candor. Thank you for that. I am listening deeply with an open heart and mind.”
The “Safe Heaven” actress said some of the feedback she saw about “The Activist” called the show “performative” and “tone-deaf”. According to Huff, some said that “the hosts were not qualified to assess activism” because they are “celebrities and not activists.”
“I hear you say there was hypocrisy in the show because at the root of activism is the fight against capitalism and the trauma that it causes so many people and the show itself feels like a blatant capitalist effort. ,” Huff continued.
“I also heard you say that trying to value one cause over another felt like oppression Olympics and completely missed and insulted the many activists who fought for their causes. Has faced various abuses,” his statement further read.
She said, “And because of this, there is a sense of humiliation, dehumanization, insensitivity and hurt that is rightfully felt. I do not claim to be an activist and wholeheartedly agree that the defining aspect of the show made an impression. and furthermore, that I am not fit to act as a judge.”
Continuing her lengthy post, Hough once again apologized for dressing up in blackface at a Halloween party in 2013 when she appeared as “Crazy Eyes” at the Beverly Hills bash, the sequel to the hit Netflix drama “Orange”. I had a character played by Uzo Aduba. is the new black’.
“Wearing blackface was a poor choice based on my own white privilege and my own white body prejudice that hurt people and I still regret it today, however, regret that I’ve been more pale in comparison to the lived experiences of so many. Living Together My commitment has been to reflect and act differently. Not completely, but hopefully with a more developed understanding that racism and white supremacy are harmful to all people,” she wrote.
She also admitted that she only scratched the surface of the criticism, saying she wants her followers to know: “I’m still listening because it’s a messy and uncomfortable conversation, and I’m here for everyone. Committed to living for it.” “It feels important to me to share that the basic reason I signed on to this show was because I was really excited to be a part of something, and focused on sharing the work of activists on a bigger platform. is,” she explained.
In doing so, Huff said that he felt it would help educate, organize and inspire people around the world to become involved in activism as a means to bring attention to many worthy causes, funding and most importantly influencing real change. power is required. The 42-year-old star said he has faith and belief in the people that the people he has worked with will make the right choice and do the right thing going forward.
“Not just for the show, but for the better. I will continue to take the time to listen, to learn, to learn and to be fully present with everything you all have shared because I don’t want to just react I want to digest, understand and respond in a way that is authentic and aligned with the woman I am becoming,” she wrote and concluded that she is “still listening.”
According to People magazine, following the show’s announcement, the producers and a trio of celebrity judges drew criticism for “The Activist” for the first time last week.
In a statement to Deadline, a spokesperson for Global Citizen said, “The activist spotlights those who have made it their life’s work to improve the world, as well as the incredible and often challenging work they do.” What they do on the ground. Communities. This is not a reality show to trivialize activism. On the contrary, we aim to support activists everywhere, show the ingenuity and dedication they put in their work, and Their cause is to reach an even wider audience.”
The five-week series is set to premiere Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m. on CBS and will be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount Plus.
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