It’s been over a decade since Diversity first stormed on to the Britain’s Got Talent stage and back-flipped their way into the nation’s hearts.
But their recent return to the ITV talent show last month saw the winning dance troupe’s name splashed across the headlines like never before, as their BLM-inspired dance performance, “This is 2020”, became the second-most complained about UK TV moment in history (the first being Roxanne Pallett’s CBB scandal).
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month – dedicated to encouraging people to educate themselves about momentous historical events involving black people, and celebrating their achievements and contributions, as well as pushing forward racial equality – Diversity’s Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely tell Closer why it’s so important to them.
And they say they believe this year has been the most authentic celebration to date. Perri, 24, says, “Black History Month has felt real – like people want to do something, they want change, and they want to be a part of something. For the first time, it hasn’t felt ‘gimmicky’ or controversial.”
Jordan, 27, adds, “I feel like people have been forced to look at issues they might be uncomfortable with. There have been lots of discussions on racism and the importance of change, and now, to celebrate the achievements of black people for Black History Month has been incredible.”
Diversity themselves were pushed to the centre of the Black Lives Matter movement last month, when their BGT dance, choreographed by Jordan’s brother and guest judge Ashley Banjo, highlighted racial injustice on a huge scale, airing to almost six million viewers.
Check out: Black History Month: - here's what to stream on Netflix
Netflix Black History Month - slider
1 of 15The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
Based on a true story, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind sees 13-year-old William Kamkwamba thrown out of school after his family can no longer afford the fees. Determined to continue his education, he sneaks into the library and teach himself how to build a windmill, saving his village from a famine in the process. Now streaming
2 of 15Top Boy
This drama explores the tensions between the drug gangs that operate in the housing estates of East London. It follows Dushane, a twentysomething drug dealer determined to become the area's Top Boy and Ra/Nell, a teenager forced to grow up quickly after his mother's breakdown and absence. Now streaming
3 of 15Chewing Gum
I May Destroy You's Michaela Coel stars in this comedy about 24-year-old Tracey Gorgon, who was raised in a strict religious family and has now decided to lose her virginity. Now streaming
4 of 15They've Gotta Have Us
This docuseries charts the rise of black actors from being the backdrop to calling the shots with candid recollections from Debbie Allen, Harry Belafonte, John Boyega and more. Now streaming
5 of 15Gina Yashere: Skinny B*tch
Gina Yashere, standup comedian and Daily Show correspondent, performs a sharp set of observations on the environment, money and more. Now streaming
6 of 15Rocks
Olushola, or 'Rocks' to her friends, is forced to protect and provide for her younger brother after their mother abandons them. Now streaming
7 of 15Gone Too Far!
Spend the day with two estranged teenage brothers who meet for the first time ever and struggle to accept each other. Now streaming
8 of 15Generation Revolution
This powerful documentary follows London's new generation of activists of colour as they fight against oppression and injustice motivated by their desire for a more equal future. Now streaming
9 of 15Tucked
Jackie, an 80-year-old drag queen with a terminal illness, begins an unlikely friendship with a younger queen as the two struggles through their own battles with gender identity and mortality. Now streaming
10 of 15A United Kingdom
Based on the real-life romance of Prince Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams, A United Kingdom sees the prince return to Bechuanaland, where he is to ascend to the throne, with his new wife — a white woman from South London. Now streaming
11 of 15White Teeth
Based on Zadie Smith's award-winning novel, White Teeth sees three diverse London families over a span of several decades at their lives become more and more intertwined. Now streaming
12 of 15Entitled
Fantasy documentary Entitled takes a fresh look at the experience of first-generation immigrants. Now streaming
13 of 15Desmond's
Desmond's, the classic sitcom from the late 80s and early 90s', focuses on Desmond Ambrose and his barbershop in Peckham that acts as the hub of the neighbourhood's social scene. From 8 October
14 of 15Babylon
This satirical drama takes a fresh look at the politics and publicity of London's police force. From 15 October
15 of 15His House
Horror fans will enjoy this film following a refugee couple from South Sudan as they attempt to start over in an English town, only to be tormented by an evil force in their new home. From 30 October
The powerful dance, which showed a re-enactment of the killing of George Floyd, who died in America in May after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by a police officer, received over 23,000 Ofcom complaints. Jordan was shockingly branded “a disgrace” by a Twitter troll, who added, “It’s a shame you have children”.
Yet despite the shocking amount of hatred on social media, the group received an outpouring of support from celebrities and viewers alike, praising the group for pushing boundaries. ITV also released a statement showing their support and the group themselves have no regrets.
Perri – who is dating Dancing On Ice production assistant Laura Smith – says, “I think I speak for all of us when I say I’m proud of that performance. I want my kids to watch it. I’m proud to have been a part of something that will hopefully see change.”
Jordan adds, “I don’t think people were expecting a performance like ours. They’d tuned in to see a dog do a back-flip, so it might have made them feel uncomfortable. Our intention was to put something positive out there, and to start a conversation. The reaction from people we see has been really positive.”
The video has also been streamed across schools nationwide and teachers have thanked the group.
Jordan – who has two-year-old son Cassius and 15-month-old daughter Mayowa with fiancée Naomi Courts – says, “What’s brilliant is that the man who called me a disgrace and said he’d never let his children watch our performance... well, the teacher of his children then tweeted that they had played a recording of the performance in the school’s assembly. I wasn’t a particularly good student, so it’s nice to be back in the classroom doing something right!”
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While current restrictions haven’t made it possible for the whole of Diversity to celebrate the month together, Jordan and Perri are both “buzzing” from the atmosphere at KISS FM, where they co-host the KISS Breakfast show. Jordan says, “One of the things I’ve loved about being here at KISS FM is that we really went big on Black History Month. It’s 100 per cent about starting the conversation.”
Perri adds, “My hope, as we reach the end of the month, is that this continues and that people carry on talking about it. Black History Month is amazing, but it would be wonderful not to need one.”
Jordan and Perri present KISS Haunted House Party on Saturday 31 Oct. Visit Kissfmuk.cm
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