Dan Levy just handed Hollywood a reality check.
The Schitt's Creek co-creator accepted the Vanguard Award at the third annual Critics Choice Association's Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television last night. According to Deadline, Levy used his speech to spotlight Canada's approach to LGBTQ+ storytelling.
"The funny thing about this industry is that they think they know what they want, until a Schitt's Creek comes along," Levy said, comparing the comedy's trajectory with Heated Rivalry — another Canadian production that found commercial success. Hollywood, he suggested, overlooked queer voices until Canada proved their worth.
"Canada saw value in them first," Levy said, a direct criticism of the American entertainment establishment's reluctance to invest in stories centered on LGBTQ+ creators and characters.
The Vanguard Award recognizes artists who have pushed boundaries and championed representation in film and television — what Levy achieved with Schitt's Creek, which won major awards and became a cultural phenomenon. His acceptance speech reframes the narrative: this is not about gratitude for Hollywood's attention, but credit to the gatekeepers who believed first.
For a creator at Levy's stature to publicly advocate for investing in queer voices while criticizing American hesitation is the kind of industry moment that gets discussed and remembered. The data supports him: Schitt's Creek proved LGBTQ+ storytelling sells.
Levy's message goes beyond a typical awards speech. He is building a case for systemic change in how Hollywood resources projects centered on marginalized voices, and he is doing it with the credibility of someone who has already succeeded.
