In a world – and particularly an industry – that is under such close scrutiny for its gender balance at the moment, Morgan Freeman lent his support to the 'Time's Up' movement in a somewhat unusual manner at the SAG Awards last night.
Freeman was receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony, and took the opportunity to point out what's wrong with the actual SAG award – namely, that it's 'gender specific'.
“I wasn't gonna do this," he said, "but I'm gonna tell you what's wrong with this statue. From the back, it works - but from the front, it's gender specific. Maybe I’ve started something?”
His observation has divided people on social media; some are applauding him for pointing it out, while others have described it as an overreaction.
Can we expect the Oscars to be renamed any day now?
Watch the footage below:
Change starts NOW. Equality for all #sagawards pic.twitter.com/aqE6gt86c2
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 22, 2018
Ohhhh watch out!! Not to be undone, #MorganFreeman calls out @sagawards “actor” trophy, stating “from the back it works, but from the front it’s gender specific. Maybe I’ve started something?!” Indeed you have and I’m here for it! 🙌ðŸ?¼ #TimesUp #SAGAwards2018 pic.twitter.com/QwPqnY7xT7
— Lizza Monet Morales (@xoxoLizza) January 22, 2018
Well said, Morgan. About time we tackled real issues like this instead of wasting our time on global warming, child poverty, plastic pollution, North Korea, overpopulation, Syria, ISIS, people trafficking or world hunger. Thank you, sir
— Will Jordan (@WillJordan83) January 22, 2018
It's a statue, get over it.
— Daryle (@ELYRAD) January 22, 2018
I hope he started something. I love him a lot
— Jen ðŸ'™ (@ncsujen) January 22, 2018
Ohhhh watch out!! Not to be undone, #MorganFreeman calls out @sagawards “actor” trophy, stating “from the back it works, but from the front it’s gender specific. Maybe I’ve started something?!” Indeed you have and I’m here for it! 🙌ðŸ?¼ #TimesUp #SAGAwards2018 pic.twitter.com/QwPqnY7xT7
— Lizza Monet Morales (@xoxoLizza) January 22, 2018
When Morgan Freeman is out here dropping knowledge bombs that even award show statues are sexist #SAGAwards pic.twitter.com/Cqxpv5RU7R
— 🙅ðŸ?¾â™‚ï¸?avier Harding (@iamxavier) January 22, 2018
Morgan Freeman calls out #SAGAwards statue for being "gender-specific" from the front. pic.twitter.com/gVAKWylRnK
— Jillian Sederholm (@JillianSed) January 22, 2018
