The Baftas is expected to turn into a hotbed of political protest next week after stars were asked to wear black to take a stand against sexual harassment. Nicole Kidman wore black to the Golden Globes last month (pictured)
Next week’s Bafta ceremony is to turn into a hotbed of political protest after stars were asked to turn up in black to take a stand against sexual harassment.
A-list luvvies are planning the all-black dress code at the glitzy awards ceremony in support of Time’s Up, a campaign founded by leading Hollywood actresses.
The movement was set up at the start of the year in response to a wave of sexual harassment allegations in the industry, particularly in relation to mogul Harvey Weinstein.
A letter is said to be circulating inviting all those attending the awards to participate in the campaign.
It follows a protest at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles last month, in which stars including Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep wore black gowns. The invitation has already received support from British stars including Emma Watson, who tweeted: ‘Get ready BAFTA #TimesUp.’
Other right-on stars understood to be taking part are Daisy Ridley, Keira Knightley, Jodie Whittaker and Emma Thompson. The letter, which claims to be sent by ‘a collective of UK based female film and television industry leaders’ asked guests to ‘wear black to the awards ceremony, to follow suit from our sisters who attended the Golden Globes’.
It read: ‘Inspired by the Time’s Up movement in the US, we are working to continue the incredible movement this side of the Atlantic.
Celebrities are planning the all-black dress code at the Baftas in support of Time’s Up. Daisy Ridley (left) and Emma Watson (right) are said to be planning to wear black to the Baftas
‘With Bafta being the first major film awards ceremony in Europe this year, we feel it is important to make a statement to show global solidarity and that the issue is not being forgotten, and to join hands with people across all industries who have experienced inequality and abuse.’
The letter, seen by the Hollywood Reporter magazine, claimed black is a ‘strong, unifying simple statement’, designed to show solidarity with those suffering sexual abuse or harassment.
Male attendees were urged to wear pin badges supporting the cause.
While Bafta hasn’t set the dress code, its chairman Jane Lush has already indicated she ‘wholeheartedly endorsed’ the blackout protest at the Golden Globes.
Last year, Weinstein was accused by more than 80 women in the entertainment industry of allegations including rape, assault and harassment.
The claims were the catalyst behind the ‘Me Too’ movement, with many more in the film industry being accused of improper behaviour.
Time’s Up, which provides a legal defence fund to help those who have experienced harassment or abuse, was founded shortly afterwards.
Since the Weinstein allegations, BBC star Ed Westwick has been accused of assaulting three women, and actor Kevin Spacey has been in hiding since a group of men came forward to claim he harassed or assaulted them. All three deny any wrongdoing.
The movement was set up at the start of the year in response to a wave of sexual harassment allegations in the industry, particularly in relation to mogul Harvey Weinstein (pictured)
Veteran actor Michael Douglas has defended himself against allegations that he performed a sex act in front of a former employee.
The Golden Globes protest has been criticised as ‘tokenism’ by some, including Rose McGowan – an actress and leading voice against Weinstein – who accused stars of ‘Hollywood fakery’.
The star, who claimed she was raped by Weinstein 20 years ago, called the celebrities ‘fancy people’ who ‘would not have lifted a finger’ if she hadn’t worked to expose the film executive.
She also aimed criticism at Meryl Streep, tweeting: ‘Actresses, like Meryl Streep, who happily worked for The Pig Monster, are wearing black at the Golden Globes in a silent protest. Your silence is the problem. You’ll accept a fake award breathlessly and effect no real change. I despise your hypocrisy.’
Miss Streep has since denied any knowledge of Weinstein’s alleged behaviour. The mogul, thought to be worth around £153million, is understood to be holed up at a luxury rehabilitation facility in Arizona.
The Meadows, which costs £27,000 a month, is reported to be treating him for sex addiction. Its patients have access to a private pool, yoga classes and horse riding.
Comedian Joanna Lumley will host the Baftas, the first woman to do so in over a decade. The protests could make an awkward night for the actress, who has previously said ‘being patted on the bottom’ is not assault.
The awards will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on February 18.