Why does everyone named Chris have all the power in Hollywood: Kumail Nanjiani

The Pakistani-American actor believes Hollywood has a long way to go in terms of inclusion

Is Hollywood diverse enough? Not according to Kumail Nanjiani. The Pakistani-American comedian says "everyone named Chris" has all the power in the industry.

The actor-writer praised the power of diversity and called on Hollywood to do better in terms of inclusion while speaking at the dedicatory Empowerment in Entertainment Gala recently. "Power is all about what you’ve done for yourself. Empowerment is about what you’ve done for others — that you can then brag about to others at power lunches," the Hindustan Times quoted Nanjiani as saying. "Everyone named Chris has all the power, and this gala is about sharing that power with people with less bankable names."

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/KUMAIL NANJIANI

But that's not all Nanjiani dished out.  The Big Sick actor also touched upon the vitality of including groups of people from all walks of life, including women, the disabled and the LGBTQ communities, as well as religious backgrounds.

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“Give people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, women, persons with disabilities, women of colour, the LGBTQ communities, people of colour, women, people of varying religions and women more opportunities to make the kinds of movies and TV shows that Hollywood lets all of Chris's make,” he implored.

PHOTO: MARVEL STUDIOS

 

The Silicon Valley star, who was nominated for an Oscar for the Best Original Screenplay in 2018, also points out the lack of inclusion in Hollywood erases groups of people and doesn't reflect the world we live in.

The 41-year old could also join superstar Angelina Jolie in the upcoming Marvel film The Eternals. Perhaps him using the name Chris stems from the fact Marvel has released three major films with actors called Chris, namely Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Chris Pratt as StarLord.

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