The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce made sure it wouldn’t face any #OscarsSoWhite-like criticism when selecting the next group of celebrities to receive stars on the Walk of Fame. The 2018 honorees were just named and many of the recipients are people of color.
“The Walk of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce our newest honorees to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Committee looked carefully at each nominee and we feel that we have selected an eclectic group of talent that will appeal to the tastes of many fans around the world,” said Vin Di Bona, chairman of the 2017 selection committee.
Each year, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce selects celebrities to receive stars on the Walk of Fame due to their contributions to the entertainment industry. 2018’s recipients who are also people of color include:
Taraji P. Henson, Anthony Anderson, Niecy Nash, Shonda Rhimes, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Ice T, F. Gary Gray, Lin-Manuel Miranda, RuPaul, and the “not black” black Zoe Saldana. The late Bernie Mack will also receive a posthumous star.
Stars are broken into five categories. Here is the complete list of the 2018 honorees:
Motion Pictures: Jack Black, Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Hamill, Jennifer Lawrence, Gina Lollobrigida, Minnie Mouse, Nick Nolte, F. Gary Gray and Zoe Saldana
Television: Gillian Anderson, Lynda Carter, Simon Cowell, Eric McCormack, Ryan Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, RuPaul Charles, Taraji P. Henson, Shonda Rhimes, and posthumously Steve Irwin
Recording: Sir Richard Branson, Petula Clark, Harry Connick Jr., Carrie Underwood, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Mary J. Blige, Ice T, Snoop Dogg
Radio: Steve Jones
Live Theatre/Live Performance: Charles Aznavour, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and posthumously Bernie Mac
This is a solid list, though the one nominee I question is Zoe Saldana. I also would prefer Taraji P. Henson’s star to be in the motion picture category. Despite Empire being her most notable TV role, I feel her contributions to motion pictures is greater and more significant than her contributions to TV, but that’s just me.
Nonetheless, congratulations to the “Walk of Fame Class of 2018!” Ceremony dates have not been announced, however, honorees must agree to a date within two years or must hope they’re selected again in the future.
