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Issa Rae Is Not Impressed With Hollywood’s Protection of Ezra Miller

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Getty Images

Issa Rae is not one to mince words, so when Elle asked her what has changed in the past five years since Me Too hit Hollywood, the Insecure creator was honest: “Sadly, not much.” Rae, who recently wrapped the last season of Insecure and launched a new series, Rap Sh!t, said that, in fact, she felt the industry was “regressing.”

“There are just too many enablers for there to be real change,” she continued. “People have to be held accountable.” The actor, writer, and producer said that Hollywood was “literally the worst industry when it comes to punishing people for misdeeds and actions, because money will always reign supreme.” Although she acknowledged that she might be “enabling” this culture by working in the industry, she said she tries to focus on what she can control. “I can hold people accountable within my world and my bubble,” she said, adding that she is careful to choose who she works with. “I don’t have to work for everybody. All money isn’t good money. All people aren’t good people.”

Turning to an ongoing example of enablers in Hollywood, Rae pointed to Ezra Miller as “a microcosm of Hollywood.” The actor has been accused of multiple instances of aggressive, abusive behavior — including the alleged grooming of a teenage activist — but is still expected to star in The Flash next year. “There’s this person who’s a repeat offender, who’s been behaving atrociously, and as opposed to shutting them down and shutting the production down, there’s an effort to save the movie and them,” Rae said. Calling the entire situation “a clear example of the lengths that Hollywood will go to to save itself and to protect offenders,” Rae offered a simple solution to those in power who want to change: “Don’t do that, and women may be able to thrive.”

In August, Miller released a statement via their representative saying that they had started treatment for “complex mental health issues.” They added, “I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior.” Just last week, The Wrap reported that Miller was back on the set of The Flash for a day of pickup shots and that the film is set for release on June 23, 2023.

Issa Rae Calls Ezra Miller ‘A Microcosm of Hollywood’