It's seems there is no limit to Donald Glover's success these days, but according to the actor, comedian, singer (take a breath), rapper, writer, director and producer, breaking out was no easy feat.
In a recent interview with GQ, Glover opened up about his journey to get his foot in the industry's door, from his rejection by SNL and Parks and Rec to barely getting a writing spot on 30 Rock.
In fact, according to the Atlanta creator, he was hired on to 30 Rock as part of a "diversity incentive." The show's creator, Tina Fey herself, even told him so.
At the time, shows that hired Black writers benefited greatly from a budget initiative by NBC. Fey admitted to Glover he was a "diversity hire" for the monetary benefit.
He shared:
"There is no animosity between us or anything like that, but [Fey] said it herself... It was a diversity thing."
Many on Twitter recognized the real-life scenario as it played out as an episode on 30 Rock.
Several also noted "diversity" incentives are very common in the industry.
Glover also shared that—while he didn't know it at the time—the "diversity hire" spot came down to him and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris.
"The last two people who were fighting for the job were me and Kenya Barris."
"I didn't know it was between me and him until later."
"He hit me one day and he was like, 'I hated you for years!'"
We'd say they both came out of it okay.
