Overview
- Rae told TheWrap’s Creators x Hollywood Summit that studios are pulling back on diversity, equity, and inclusion, saying DEI is now treated like a negative term and funding has cooled.
- She said some executives of color have privately told her they will not back certain projects because they fear losing their jobs, which she called sad and scary.
- To navigate the shift, Rae advised pitching by theme rather than identity, suggesting creators frame a series as about class to help sell a show centered on a Black lead.
- She described an industry “identity crisis” that favors social media followings over talent discovery, even as she continues to build inclusive work through Hoorae Media.
- Coverage noted broader political and corporate retrenchment on DEI since 2025, and Rae’s stance comes as she holds a three‑year first‑look deal with Paramount, which reports say scaled back diversity efforts after its Skydance merger.