“I am tired of white folks telling my stories,” said Lena Waithe in her recent Vanity Fair cover story. The actress, writer, and producer made history last year when she became the first woman of color to win an Emmy for comedy writing for her work on “Master of None.” She’s known for championing underserved voices and mentoring people of color pursuing careers in the business. It’s no wonder the multi-hyphenate has been named as the 2018 recipient of the MTV Movie & TV Awards’ Trailblazer Award. Variety confirmed the news.
Given in recognition of “game-changing creators with fresh and fearless voices in entertainment,” the honor’s previous recipients include Emma Stone, Emma Watson, and Shailene Woodley.
“Lena is shaking up Hollywood and breaking cultural boundaries through her innovative and authentic storytelling,” said Amy Doyle, general manager of MTV, VH1, and Logo. “Her unwavering passion for equality and inclusion make her the perfect recipient for this year’s Trailblazer Award.”
Waithe’s Showtime series, “The Chi,” concluded its first season in March and has been renewed for a second run. Waithe has spoken out about how #TimesUp’s impact has been felt while shooting the Chicago-set ensemble drama. “I’ve been very involved in Time’s Up and that movement, and for Season 2, we’re making sure that women feel safe on the set and we’re hyper-aware of what that means because there are sex scenes there,” she explained. ” We want to make sure we’re talking to these actresses and also talking to our male actors and making sure they’re aware. Because I don’t play. I’m like, ‘Look, it’s the city of Chicago, people die every day. So if you wanna play that game and be disrespectful or misbehave on set with an actress or anyone, I will happily call Showtime and say, ‘This person has to go,’ and you will get shot up and it’ll be a wonderful finale.’”
The former “Bones” writer has a new show in development at TBS. The network ordered a pilot for “Twenties,” a comedy about a queer woman and her two straight BFFs.
Waithe’s recent acting credits include “Ready Player One” and Season 2 of Netflix’s “Dear White People.” Earlier this month she delivered the opening keynote at the annual AFI Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) Showcase.
The 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards will air on Monday, June 18. “Girls Trip” star Tiffany Haddish is hosting.
