Hollywood stars including George Clooney and Lupita Nyong'o have voiced their opinions on the Oscars controversy following Jada Pinkett Smith's decision to boycott this year's awards. The actress said she would not be attending the awards due to the lack of non-white actors nominated for the second year in a row, and now a number of other high profile faces have said they too are "disappointed" by the lack of diversity.
Talking to Variety, George Clooney said he thinks it is "absolutely true" that the film industry isn't recognising African Americans enough, and that he believes the nominations were "moving in the wrong direction".
© Photo: Getty ImagesGeorge Clooney said he thinks Hollywood is "moving in the wrong direction"
The two-time Academy Award winner pointed out some of the actors he believed deserved nominations including the cast of Creed, Will Smith and Idris Elba, who many believed would get a Best Actor nod for his performance in Beasts of No Nation.
While Idris has not commented on the issue surrounding the Oscars directly, he did address Parliament on Monday evening to discuss diversity in the media, telling the MPs gathered: "The Britain I come from is the most successful, diverse multicultural country on earth. But here's my point: you wouldn't know it if you turned on the TV."
© Photo: Getty ImagesIdris Elba addressed Parliament about a lack of diversity in the media
Star Wars actress Lupita Nyong'o has also voiced her disappointment at the "lack of inclusion" in a statement posted on Instagram. The actress wrote: "I stand with my peers who are calling for change in expanding the stories that are told and recognition of the people who tell them."
This year's Academy Awards is being hosted by black comedian Chris Rock, who has poked fun at the controversy. Sharing a new promotional video for the Oscars on Twitter, he captioned it 'The White BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards'.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLupita Nyong'o said she is "disappointed" at the lack of inclusion
President of the Academy Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who is herself black and a campaigner for diversity in the film industry, admitted last week that she was "disappointed" by the fact that there were no black performers nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor or Best Supporting Actress.
"I'd like to acknowledge the wonderful work of this year's nominees," she said in a statement. "While we celebrate their extraordinary achievements, I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion. This is a difficult but important conversation, and it’s time for big changes."
