Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ upcoming show, The Activist created a buzz on social media, but not for the right reasons. Recently, Deadline took to Twitter to announce that Usher, Priyanka Chopra, and Julianne Hough will be co-hosting the new CBS, Global Citizen–produced show called The Activist and what followed was a string of negative feedbacks and remarks on the show’s concept.
According to Deadline, the show was earlier supposed to be about activists going head-to-head in challenges to promote their causes, with their success measured via online engagement, social metrics, and hosts’ input. The fact that the show was comparing the activists’ good work infuriated netizens which ultimately led the makers to change the format.
Global Citizen apologised to people for hurting their sentiments and released a statement mentioning the new format, i.e instead of a series, it now going to be a documentary that will focus on the same activists but without the challenges or evaluations.
The statement read-
The Activist was designed to show a wide audience the passion, long hours, and ingenuity that activists put into changing the world, hopefully inspiring others to do the same. However, it has become apparent the format of the show as announced distracts from the vital work these incredible activists do in their communities every day. The push for global change is not a competition and requires a global effort.
As a result, we are changing the format to remove the competitive element and reimagining the concept into a primetime documentary special (air date to be announced), it will showcase the tireless work of six activists and the impact they have advocating for causes they deeply believe in. Each activist will be awarded a cash grant for the organization of their choice, as was planned for the original show.
Global activism centers on collaboration and cooperation, not competition. We apologize to the activists, hosts, and the larger activist community — we got it wrong. It is our responsibility to use this platform in the most effective way to realize change and elevate the incredible activists dedicating their lives to progress all around the world.
Check out the Instagram post here-
Now that the format has been changed, hope this show will help target the issues they are in dire need of attention. Can’t wait to know more!