“Harry Potter” actor Daniel Radcliffe thinks “it’s pretty undeniable” that Hollywood is racist.
“We like to think of ourselves as being a very, very progressive industry, but we have been lagging behind in all kinds of areas,” he said in an interview with the BBC. He also added that gay actors feel uncomfortable to come out because “I suppose then people just want to cast you as gay.”
The #OscarsSoWhite controversy has brought to light the lack of opportunities for non-white talent in the film industry, resurfacing on Twitter earlier this year when the Academy failed to nominate a single person of color for the second year in a row. Outrage over the lack of diversity prompted stars and filmmakers like Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Moore and Spike Lee to boycott the ceremony.
In response, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Jan. 22 what it referred to as “a sweeping series of substantive changes” to its rules to promote diversity in Academy membership and to double the number of women and diverse members of AMPAS by 2020.
Radcliffe also discussed Donald Trump, with the 27-year-old actor saying it’s “fascinating and terrifying” how a “wealthy, privileged man has somehow managed to convince people he’s not part of the elite and that he’s a man of the people.”
He added that Trump has “stirred up” feelings of “fear and hatred.”
Radcliffe is currently in production on “Jungle,” directed by Greg McLean.