Scarlett Johansson says it's time to 'step back' from the Golden Globes after the awards were hit with a wave of criticism

• Scarlett Johansson said the industry must "step back" from the awards show if changes aren't made.
• The actress said she has often faced sexist questions from HFPA members at press conferences.
• "It is the exact reason why I, for many years, refused to participate in their conferences," she said.

Scarlett Johansson has become the latest high-profile star to criticize the Golden Globes, urging the film industry to "step back" from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the influential organizing body behind the awards show.

In a statement, Johansson, who has been nominated for five Golden Globes during the course of her career, said she has often faced sexist questions from HFPA members at press conferences and explained that it's the reason why she's failed to "participate" in the past.

"As an actor promoting a film, one is expected to participate in awards season by attending press conferences as well as awards shows," Johansson said. "In the past, this has often meant facing sexist questions and remarks by certain HFPA members that bordered on sexual harassment. It is the exact reason why I, for many years, refused to participate in their conferences."

Johansson continued in her statement by saying that the HFPA was an organization that "legitimized by the likes of Harvey Weinstein," which allowed the now-disgraced producer to acquire Academy recognition. "The industry followed suit," she added.

"Unless there is necessary fundamental reform within the organization, I believe it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA and focus on the importance and strength of unity within our unions and the industry as a whole."

Earlier this year, a series of detailed investigations published by the LA Times revealed major financial and ethical failures within the HFPA, including the fact that none of the group's 87 members are Black. Not to mention, the organization had no Black members in nearly two decades. A former HFPA president was also found to have referred to Black Lives Matter as a "racist hate movement."

Shortly after, more than 100 publicists for Hollywood stars told the HFPA that they would cut off the group's access to their clients unless it made a "transformational change."

Johansson's statement comes after Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos announced that the streamer will not participate with the Globes until the HFPA acknowledges "the breadth of issues" it faces and moves to tackle its "systemic diversity and inclusion challenges."

Last year, Netflix dominated the Golden Globes with 42 nominations and six wins.

Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke also released a statement last week, saying that the studio has "not been working with the HFPA since these issues were first raised, and like the rest of the industry, we are awaiting a sincere and significant resolution before moving forward."

Last week, 75 of the HFPA's 86 members voted for reforms aimed at helping expand the group's membership, hiring an executive focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, and implementing other diversity initiatives.