Gianni Paolo Criticizes Hollywood for Ignoring ‘Power Book II: Ghost
50 Cent’s hit series Power Book II: Ghost is coming to a dramatic conclusion, but one of its stars, Gianni Paolo, has a bone to pick with Hollywood’s TV sector. Despite millions of dedicated viewers tuning into the show, Paolo feels that award shows and the broader entertainment industry unfairly overlook Power.
Paolo’s candid interview revealed that Power’s ratings rival and surpass those critically acclaimed shows like The Bear, Succession, and The Penguin. Despite its immense following and cultural significance, the show and its cast have not received the recognition they deserve by significant awards like the Golden Globes and Emmys. Paolo believes this isn’t just a matter of taste; he thinks Hollywood doesn’t understand hood cinema.
“It’s not just during award season,” Paolo said.
He referred to the cold shoulder Power cast members feel throughout the year. He highlighted how stars from the series are often passed over for high-profile interviews with late-night hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, an omission that speaks to the broader lack of respect for the show. But Paolo is grateful for outlets like TMZ Hip Hop, which give Power the platform it deserves.
Of course, 50 Cent has been an outspoken advocate for the show, serving as its ‘voicebox’ over the years. Paolo believes that there’s a deeper reason at play. He believes that the industry’s underlying racial issues have contributed to the decline of Power and the disparity in pay and recognition is a reflection of Hollywood’s bias. Paolo’s perspective on these disparities is unique as a white actor in a predominantly Black-led show. He asserts that while he enjoys certain privileges, the show’s primarily Black cast has been unfairly neglected by Hollywood’s elite.
Paolo compared Power to HBO’s legendary crime drama The Wire, which, despite its critical acclaim, was never recognized by significant awards. The Wire and Power share a similar fanbase and are deeply rooted in stories representing underrepresented communities. Both shows have struggled to gain recognition in mainstream Hollywood.
As Power Book II: Ghost heads towards its finale, Gianni Paolo’s comments bring to light an ongoing conversation about diversity, inclusion, and recognition in the entertainment industry. Paolo is content with Power’s impact, even though there are no awards or late-night interviews. The show has been groundbreaking for its 10.5 million viewers, and no number of trophies can alter that.
