During the disclosure of the appointments of the Artist Gala 2020 last week, many stars wanted to highlight the lack of diversity and representativeness among the 80 nominated. Indeed, there is only one color personality, Pier-Yves Lord, while many series this year featured artists from diverse backgrounds.
The actress Debbie Lynch-White was one of the artists who denounced an Artis Gala that was still too white by sharing a publication in which she stated her disappointment despite her immense love for her profession. “ I cannot, as a privileged white woman with a platform, not exhibit this photo of the Gala Artis nominations which, once again, demonstrates that our cultural environment, our television and our theater schools lack diversity. At the risk of displeasing, it is up to us to say, it is our responsibility if we want to change things “, She wrote in particular.
A message that resonated with Véronique Cloutier since she is often named at the Artis Gala (this year including in the categories Host / Host of cultural magazines and talk-show as well as Female personality of the year).
Although agreeing with the lack of diversity, the host wished to point out that the Artis Gala works in terms of popularity, something which, according to her, comes through work over a long period of time.
« Good said Debbie. I see a real desire to make a difference in the community (at least with my colleagues and bosses). We still have a lot to do, it’s not going fast enough. But building solid careers and “popular stars” (because it’s popularity that is at Artis), it is done over several years. Inclusion, I see it much more now: in advertising, in columnists, in figuration, in second roles. To say loud and clear that we are in solidarity, to continue helping blacks and people of color to climb the stairs, hopefully even faster Replied Véronique Cloutier.
The fact remains that his explanation was out of context according to Herby Moreau, who himself denounced the lack of representation in the gala appointments on his Instagram account. The host therefore did not hesitate to reply by indicating that the problem was not related to the artists’ careers, but because of systemic racism.
« Please, Vero, your answer is irrelevant! You know very well that this is not the real problem. It is not a question of career which is created in several years. The problem is deeper than that! The Artis Gala is, one, a big masquerade whose primary goal is to promote the house stars of TVA and, two, allows large sponsors to associate with the big stars of Quebec. The other nominees come to do figuration by choosing beautiful dresses and staying seated. Talk to Celine Galipeau or Pascale Nadeau. »
He then went on to mention that the people in the nominations will never really change, as the public vote is with the same age group. He takes this opportunity to give the example of Mélissa Bédard, a singer and actress who is very successful and yet does not have decades of experience.
« When polling the public for nominations, care is taken to choose a segment of the population that will benefit the same stars year after year. It is called having the answers already before even asking them. It’s been like this for years. My dear Vero, you know that it doesn’t take years to create a star. As proof, we discovered the actress talent of Mélissa Bédard in barely a season of Can you hear me?. She got a Gemini nomination. You even received it in “ prime time ” on your show 1st time and it was extraordinary. It’s a star! Where is she in the Gala Artis nominations? I have lots of other examples. This gala is always the same, it will be again and again in 10 years as it was 15 years ago when I participated in the creation of the red carpet and the backstage of the Artis Gala. I was the producer of the content for these two peripheral programs at the Gala. I saw things, I heard things and that’s when I started to understand that things were never going to change. »
A fact that did not convince Véronique Cloutier. Again, according to the host, the real problem comes rather from the fact that people of color do not have access to the leading roles. Without this showcase, they therefore do not have the chance to promote themselves to the public and thus be appointed.
« I was talking about the lack of diversity / inclusion in leading roles in general in the industry, Herby. You seem to be missing the point. The nominees in the galas always make dissatisfied, whether by vote of the public or an academy. There are just five nominated for hundreds of actors, what do you want, it’s the same. My point is that black and colored personalities will have to have more prominent roles to have a real chance of being nominated in a popularity contest. This is what we must denounce and above all highlight. Your point is completely different, I’m not saying it’s not valid, but I’m looking at it overall. »
Herby Moreau once again questioned the words of Véronique Cloutier, as the problem of systemic racism goes far beyond culture.
« Really, you seem to be talking about the lack of diversity in the nominations of galas in general. I am talking about the Artis Gala here, which works differently. By public vote (it seems!). So how would I tell you that so as not to offend anyone: in 2020, there is as much a chance to see a black man named and win at the Artis Gala as to see a black man join the SPVQ (the Quebec Police never had a black policeman in 177 years of existence). Don’t ask yourself why! So even if there are blacks who get leading roles, I still doubt that they will be given the same visibility as their white colleagues. I may be wrong, but I doubt it! The problem is deeper. It is necessary to break the prejudices with a certain segment of the population and it is also with THIS population that we ask to vote at the Gala Artis. I think this is the end that was missing in my thinking earlier so that you understand “, He finally concluded.
Véronique Cloutier did not reply to this last message, but all of this clearly proves why the subject of racism must continue to be debated and studied to get things done.
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