Non-binary actress Liv Hewson, who plays teen Vanessa “Van” Palmer on “Yellowjackets,” opens up about why they still wouldn’t apply for this year’s Emmy Awards after seeing two non-binary actors meet who have won Tony Awards.
In early June, J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell became the first openly non-binary actors to win the awards show, which recognizes excellence in live Broadway theater. Ghee won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical for her performance in Some Like It Hot. Newell won Best Actor in a Musical for her role in Shucked.
“It’s incredible to see non-binary people on stages like this and hear them talk loud, explicit and proud about themselves,” Hewson said in an interview with Teen Vogue published online Wednesday. “I love it and I’m excited.”
But even after hearing her moving acceptance speeches, Hewson stuck to his decision to drop out of the Emmys race despite being considered for a role on the hit Showtime series. “My problem is so structural that I don’t think it would be honest if I tried to work within that system,” they explained.
Hewson went on to break down her thought process on this, saying, “The best-case scenario as far as my career goes, hypothetically I’d be nominated for an Emmy, which would be an honor.” Then the best-case scenario would be that I’d hypothetically win. And then I went home with a trophy that said “actress.” I dont want that.”
The Dramaworld star also noted that even if they were to win and have the opportunity to “talk about being non-binary, trophy in hand, hypothetically, the dynamic in the game is still that it’s a category.” for men and a category for women.” They explained that they didn’t want to go on stage with the award for best woman.
“I’m amazed that acting is the only category that’s separated by gender,” added Hewson. “We assume that’s how the world is supposed to work, but every category except this one has gender-neutral awards. There are several ceremonies where they don’t exist at all, so it’s entirely possible. Isn’t it a bit bizarre that there’s one job that involves men and women and the other doesn’t?”
Hewson joins several other actors, including Emma Corrin and Bella Ramsey, who have openly supported receiving gender-neutral acting awards.
Although the Emmy Awards have not made any changes to their categories, an actor/actor category nominee or winner may request that the more gender-neutral title “Actor” appear on their certificate of nomination and Emmy statuette.
As with other organizations, the Independent Spirit Awards, Grammys, Gotham Awards, British Independent Film Awards and MTV Movie & TV Awards have already introduced gender-neutral categories.