Growing number of stars criticise Oscars

By MiNDFOOD

Actress Jada Pinkett.
REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Actress Jada Pinkett. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Momentum is shifting away from the Oscars as a growing number of star actors criticise the awards for their lack of diversity.

No black or minority actors have been nominated in the four acting categories for this year’s Academy Awards, a result which has caused director Spike Lee and actress Jada Pinkett Smith to state publicly that they will not attend the awards.

David Oyelowo and Don Cheadle have also joined the chorus of criticism.

Oyelowo, who starred in Selma, said: “This institution doesn’t reflect its president,” referring to African-American Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

“I am an Academy member and it doesn’t reflect me. It doesn’t reflect this nation.”

In response Boone Isaacs has said she is taking action to “alter the make-up” of their membership.

Others who have commented include Will Packer, producer of Straight Outta Compton, who posted a long message on Facebook.

“To my Academy colleagues, WE HAVE TO DO BETTER. Period. The reason the rest of the world looks at us like we have no clue is because in 2016 it’s a complete embarrassment to say that the heights of cinematic achievement have only been reached by white people. I repeat – it’s embarrassing. It’s unfair to the performers of colour who sacrificed so much, laid it all on the line AND DELIVERED with their projects this year.”

This is the second year in a row there have been calls to boycott the Oscars with the hashtag #oscarssowhite uniting those in criticism of the academy.

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