Two 'Compton' stars see industry change happening

LOS ANGELES — There are headlines aplenty on diversity in Hollywood at the moment. But as Viola Davis pointed out backstage Saturday at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, diversity "has become a trending topic. It's not."

So aside from recent pledges by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to double diversity in its membership, is there actual change happening on the ground in Hollywood? On the red carpet, two Straight Outta Compton stars said yes.

"Absolutely," said Neil Brown Jr., who plays DJ Yella in Compton. "I just finished a (Iraq War) biopic, and it was supposed to be a big, tall white dude. And, you know, they cast me.

"I don't know if you know this," he grinned, "but I'm not a big, tall white dude."

That film, Sand Castle, opposite Henry Cavill, is expected this fall. "Proof's in the pudding," he said. "I mean, we're talking about it and that's a step in the right direction, right?"

'Compton' stars say they're seeing Hollywood become more diverse

"Straight Outta Compton" stars Neil Brown Jr. and Aldis Hodge say they are beginning to notice postive changes in the entertainment industry's attitude toward diversity.

His Compton co-star, Aldis Hodge (who plays MC Ren), just finished a series called Underground, about the Underground Railroad, set to premiere March 9. "What I love about it is, our network WGN (America), they took a risk putting that subject matter and that content on TV," he said. "The Oscars even took a stance on trying to affect change, so I'm happy about that."

Stars at SAG Awards discuss diversity

On the red carpet of the 22nd SAG Awards, film and TV stars discuss the recent calls for increased diversity in the industry.

"It's art," said Brown. "And we want a huge palette. ... America's a melting pot, right? There's so much diversity in it. I think it's a step in the right direction for it to be reflected upon in our art and this medium."