The Time's Up movement is not just for Hollywood. The initiative is reportedly moving beyond television and film, and now will have a visible appearance on one of music's biggest night. According to People, celebrities will wear white roses to support Time's Up at the 2018 Grammys red carpet. It's a clear sign that the entire entertainment industry is supporting survivors of sexual assault and harassment.
According to a report from Billboard, music industry executives Meg Harkin and Karen Rait were inspired to bring the movement to the Grammys by #MeToo and the presenters, attendees, and nominees of the Golden Globes wearing all black. The pair assembled with other women in the music industry to form the Voice In Entertainment initiative to find ways to support the Time's Up initiative. While the black-out trend and conversations about Time's Up didn't continue into the Screen Actors Guild Awards (though some did wear the Time's Up pin), that's not going to be the case at the Grammys, thanks to these women.
Harkin, Rait, and Voices In Entertainment are encouraging attendees to wear a white rose pinned to their suits or dresses while on the red carpet as a show of support for survivors of sexual assault and harassment. Stars are already voicing their support for the floral detail.
The women of Voices In Entertainment have already confirmed stars such as Kelly Clarkson, Halsey, Dua Lipa, and Tom Morello — just to name a — will be participating in the wearing the rose. However, more are sure to join in before the Grammys red carpet on Jan. 28.
But why a white rose? Rait and Harkin explain that the rose is a classic choice for an accessory, but it's the color that has a definitive meaning. The pair chose white in honor of the Suffragettes' protests, and they were equally as inspired by Hilary Clinton's choice to wear white to Donald Trump's inauguration.
Harkins explained to Billboard that the conversations about discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment need to extend to the music industry as well, not just television and film.
"It is an important conversation politically in our country, and it's also a conversation we need to have internally with our artists and our companies," she said. "We need to say if anyone is feeling like they're being discriminated against and they don't feel safe in their workplace, they have people who will support them."
And Time's Up is directly involved with the effort. Harkins and Rait reached out to the initiative, explaining that collaborating with the group was essential. Now you know when you see a white rose that it's an official statement from Time's Up, and your favorite performer has chosen to join the movement.
As for whether or not you'll be able to watch the red carpet, don't worry. Even for those without traditional cable, you can see which of the presenters, performers, and nominees will choose to wear the white rose. Billboard will be live streaming the entire red carpet starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. You won't have to miss a second of the carpet.
"Music artists have a lot of impact....So it's only fitting that that music's biggest night show the support for equality and safety in the workplace, and that people need to be cognizant of their fellow employees," Rait told Billboard.
While only a few stars have officially announced their participation, be on the lookout for the white roses. Hopefully, they'll be out in force.
