logo
Hollywood boosts female leads but lags in people of color, report finds

Hollywood boosts female leads but lags in people of color, report finds

Reuters11-02-2025

LOS ANGELES, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Out of the top 100 movies in 2024, more than half featured a story centered on a female actor as a lead or co-lead, the first time representation has been above the U.S. Census where girls and women comprise 50.5% of the population, a 2025 report from the University of Southern California found.
However, representation fell for people of color in film, the report said.
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative examined 1,800 top-grossing films from 2007 to 2024 and assessed the gender, race and ethnicity as well as the ages of the leading and co-leading actors for each movie.
'This is the first time we can say that gender equality has been reached in top-grossing films,' said Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.
"This is not the result of an economic awakening, but is due to a number of different constituencies and efforts - at advocacy groups, at studios, through DEI initiatives - to assert the need for equality on screen," Smith added.
Films like"Wicked" with lead Cynthia Erivo, " Anora" with lead Mikey Madison and Anya Taylor-Joy in "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" set the stage for these gains in Hollywood gender equality.
Out of the 100 top-grossing films of 2024, 54 featured a girl or woman in a lead or co-lead role, the USC report said.
This reflects an increase from 2023, when only 30 movies featured a female-identified protagonist.
Over half of the films distributed by Universal Pictures (66.7%), Warner Bros. Pictures (55.6%)and Lionsgate (54.5%) featured a female actor as the lead or co-lead of the story, the report found.
About 40% or more of films were centered on a female lead or co-lead at Paramount Pictures (44.4%), Walt Disney Studios (40%) and Sony Pictures Entertainment (38.5%).
However, leads and co-leads from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups have declined significantly, as only 25 of the top 100 films featured a lead of color in 2024, a decrease from 2023, when 37 leads or co-leads were people of color.
A third of all Paramount Pictures films released in 2024 featured a lead or co-lead of color, with Lionsgate (27.3%) and Universal Pictures (26.7%) having similar demographics.
Walt Disney Studios (20%), Sony Pictures Entertainment (15.4%) and Warner Bros. Pictures (11.1%) reflected even lower numbers.
In 2024, no distributors reached proportional representation with the U.S. Census (41.6%).
'This downturn signifies a lack of investment in storytelling that reflects the audience as a whole,' Smith said.
'The reality is that audiences want to see stories about women and people of color — studios and filmmakers do not have to choose between the two,' she added.
Thirteen films in 2024 had a woman of color lead or co-lead, which is similar to USC's 2023 report and higher than the 2007 report.
'While this year's findings mark a historic step towards proportional representation for women there is still work to be done for women of color,' said Katherine Neff, the study's lead author.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

George Clooney, 63, reveals BIG pop star his twins, 8, want to meet but the only problem is he's NOT friends with her
George Clooney, 63, reveals BIG pop star his twins, 8, want to meet but the only problem is he's NOT friends with her

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

George Clooney, 63, reveals BIG pop star his twins, 8, want to meet but the only problem is he's NOT friends with her

George Clooney made some very rare comments about his twin children who are eight years old. When at the Tony Awards the 63-year-old said that Ella and Alexander love celebrities, just no one he is familiar with. And he has a lot of close pals: Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro and Julia Roberts are just a few. His little ones - whom he shares with wife of 11 years Amal, 47 - tend to like the stars that dad is not friends with. One of their top idols is the number one pop icon at the moment. 'They want to see Taylor Swift,' said Clooney to E! News. Swift has currently been taking a break from touring and staying out of the spotlight with boyfriend Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. One of their top idols is the number one pop icon at the moment. 'They want to see Taylor Swift,' said Clooney to E! News. Swift has currently been taking a break from touring and staying out of the spotlight with boyfriend Travis Kelce. Seen in February in Los Angeles He also said that they were big fans of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked and are 'looking forward to the second part,' which will be released in theaters on November 21, 2025. As far as Clooney's inner circle, the tots are not impressed. 'The funniest part is that they have no idea of references. Robert De Niro will be at the house, and they're like, "Who's that?" They don't care,' said the actor. He also praised his wife, who is a known human rights lawyer, for being such an 'incredible partner' that he is 'lucky' to have. 'I have this incredible partner who I couldn't be more proud of. She's the bravest human being I've ever met in my life. I am deeply proud of her and the fact that she's in any way proud of me, if just, I can't believe how lucky I am,' said Clooney. He was a hit at the Tonys held at Radio City Music Hall in NYC on June 8. George dyed his famous salt and pepper locks dark brown back in March for his role as legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow in his Broadway show Good Night And Good Luck. While the temporary hair might not impressed many, his work in the play certainly did - he was nominated for the Tony for Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role In A Play, but the award ultimately went to Cole Escola for his performance in Oh, Mary! They were shielded by an umbrella as they headed to Radio City Music Hall, where the awards show is being held As far as Clooney's inner circle, the tots are not impressed. 'The funniest part is that they have no idea of references. Robert De Niro will be at the house, and they're like, "Who's that?" They don't care,' said the actor. Robert seen with Tiffany Chen on May 13 in Cannes The actor looked in his element as he confidently posed on the red carpet with Amal by his side. They even showed some PDA with Amal - who has been married to George since 2014 and shares eight-year-old twins Ella and Alexander with him - planting a kiss on him. It comes after George endured ridicule over his shock hairstyle. Fans have shared been sharing their disapproval of his new darker hair and orange fake tan, with some admitting it makes him look '20 years older' Others joked he's put a 'full blown black sharpie on his hair' as they begged for him to wash out the hair dye. They wrote on X: 'Weird seeing George Clooney once had non-grey hair. I figured he popped out of the womb a silver fox!', 'What in the Sam Hell is that awful dye job on George Clooney? He looks pathetic'. George himself even admitted during a recent interview on CBS Mornings he knows his hair isn't good and said he still isn't used to the new look himself. Gayle King said: 'I have to take a moment looking at you with the dark hair.' 'I know it's not good!' George interjected. Gayle added: 'I didn't say it wasn't good!' 'Oh, It's not good! I'm not used to it, you never get used to it. Listen, I started getting grey when I was 25 so I've been grey most of my life so it's not my favorite look. 'And my wife, she thinks it's funny,' he said, adding their children 'laugh' at his hair. 'Honestly nothing makes you look older than being 63 and dying your hair,' he said. The play is based on his 2005 film of the same name which he previously wrote, directed and starred in. In his 2005 film, David Strathairn played the lead role, while George took a supporting role as CBS President Fred Friendly, in addition to working behind the camera. The movie, which was shot in black-and-white, focused on Murrow's reports on Senator Joseph McCarthy's unfounded claims of communist infiltration in the US government. This leads to a fiery confrontation between the two men on Murrow's CBS broadcast ahead of the senator's humiliation at the Army–McCarthy hearings and subsequent censure from the Senate.

Country singer Conner Smith fatally strikes 77-year-old woman with his truck in crosswalk, police say
Country singer Conner Smith fatally strikes 77-year-old woman with his truck in crosswalk, police say

NBC News

time5 hours ago

  • NBC News

Country singer Conner Smith fatally strikes 77-year-old woman with his truck in crosswalk, police say

Country singer Conner Smith was involved in a car accident in Nashville Sunday night that left a 77-year-old woman dead, police said. Smith was driving his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on 3rd Avenue North when he struck Dorothy Dobbins as she was walking in a crosswalk, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in a news release. The accident happened around 7:30 p.m. CT. Dobbins, who lived nearby, was taken to the hospital, where she died. Smith's attorney confirmed to The Tennessean that the 24-year-old singer "was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life." "His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time. Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation," attorney Worrick G. Robinson said. Authorities said preliminary findings indicate that Smith failed to yield the right of way to the pedestrian. He did not show any signs of impairment, police said. No charges have been filed. Smith, a Nashville native, is signed to Big Machine Records' Valory label. He released his debut studio album "Smoky Mountains" last year.

Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards

BreakingNews.ie

time7 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards

British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was crowned best actress at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards in Los Angeles. Hosted by Kevin Hart, Monday's BET Awards celebrated the work of black people in music, entertainment, film, sports and philanthropy. Advertisement The London-born star, who rose to worldwide prominence last year for her role in Wicked, was also nominated for the BET Her Award — which recognises empowering songs that focus on women — for her rendition of Defying Gravity. Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to sharply criticise US President Donald Trump's handling of protests in Los Angeles. The Swamp Princess takes her crown again! Standing ovation please for the #BETAwards Best Female Hip Hop Artist, @officialdoechii 👑 In case you couldn't tell, we're your biggest fan! — #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 10, 2025 Collecting the award for best female hip-hop artist, she accused the president of 'creating fear and chaos' in his response to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which sparked days of protest across the city. 'I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building,' she said. Advertisement 'These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' Kendrick Lamar accepts the award for album of the year (AP/Chris Pizzello) Mr Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was 'essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States'. The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move 'purposefully inflammatory'. Advertisement London-based girl-group FLO missed out after picking up nominations for best group and the Bet Her award for their track In My Bag, featuring GloRilla. Fellow UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective earned nominations for best international artist, while multi-genre artist Odeal and R&B singer kwn were shortlisted for best new international act. Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with 10 nominations, took home awards for album of the year and best male hip-hop artist. Doechii arrives at the BET Awards (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) He also won video of the year and video director of the year for his hit Not Like Us, as well as best collaboration for Luther, his track with SZA Advertisement SZA won best female R&B/pop artist, while Chris Brown took home best male R&B/pop artist. The evening featured a star-studded cast, including actor Jamie Foxx, with performances by Ashanti, Mariah Carey and GloRilla. Foxx, Carey, gospel star Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were honoured with the ultimate icon award for their contributions to community, entertainment, and advocacy. Miles Canton, Luke James and Lucky Daye delivered an R&B tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November. Advertisement

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store