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Emily in Paris’ Lily Collins slammed for getting Golden Globe nomination ahead of Black actress Michaela Coel

The 31-year-old was slammed online because she was nominated for the Golden Globe awards, but actress Michaela Coel did not receive a nomination despite being phenomenal in the ground-breaking BBC drama ‘I May Destroy You’

‘Emily in Paris’ star Lily Collins has found herself embroiled in controversy after her name was nominated for the “Best Actress” category instead of a Black actress. The 31-year-old was heavily slammed online because she was nominated for the Golden Globe awards, but actress Michaela Coel did not receive any nominations despite being phenomenal in the ground-breaking BBC drama ‘I May Destroy You’, The Daily Mail reported. Several took to Twitter to argue that Lily was nominated because of her race and also she is the daughter of famous pop star Phil Collins.

‘Emily in Paris’ streaming on Netflix also received one more nomination under the category - “Best TV Series - Musical or Comedy”. However, ‘I May Destroy You’ did not get nominated under any category, which further enraged social media users. One user commented, “How on earth did Emily in Paris get nominated over Dickinson?? @HaileeSteinfeld this must be a typo.” Another one said, “Biggest joke of the year from golden globe. Hahaha lily collins over hailee steinfeld? Hahaha.” The third user remarked, “If you’re gonna do this, you should just be honest and call it Best White Actress in a TV Series.”

“What people don't understand about racism is it's not a byproduct. The Globes panel didn't not nominate IMDY because they didn't think it was good because Michaela is black and thought Emily in Paris was good because Lily Collins is white. They KNOW which was better!!!!” a fourth user pointed out while a fifth noted, “Lily Collins might be a good actress, but that character is underdeveloped, as the series as a whole.” “Lily Collins being here is pure nepotism and racism,” a sixth added.

Lily has earlier acknowledged her privilege. When protests had erupted all across the US after the death of George Floyd, she wrote, “I am white, I am privileged. I will never experience what black people in America go through every single day, but I am listening and I am learning. I march with you and will fight with you.” 

Though people on social media trolled her for her nomination, most of them forgot to notice she has been nominated for “Best Actress in a TV Series - Musical or Comedy” - a category under which Coel cannot be nominated because it falls under the drama section.

Meanwhile, ‘Emily In Paris’ writer Deborah Copaken also shared her thoughts on the nominations on Twitter. In her post, she acknowledged that Coel has been unfairly treated. She wrote, “Dear @MichaelaCoel: I was a writer on Emily in Paris, but your show was my favorite show since the dawn of TV, & this is just wrong. I loved I MAY DESTROY YOU, and I thank you, personally, for giving us your heart, your mind, your resilience, & your humor.” People supported Copaken on Twitter with one saying, “I one hundred percent agree, Deborah. Michaela, I would take it up with HBO Max and ask why they didn’t do full press for “I MAY DESTROY YOU.”  That’s what clinches the noms. It really was the best series this year.” Another added, “Your honestly and support is refreshing and much needed during such negative times.”