Your Daily Dish

Feeding Outrageous to you Daily

Hide Advertisement
  • Animals
    • Farm
    • Pets
    • Zoo
    • Wildlife
  • Family
    • Grandparents
    • Kids
    • Parents
  • Health
    • Exercise
    • Food
    • Medical
  • Humor
  • Lifestyle
    • News
    • Science & Tech
    • Travel
  • Videos
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

George Clooney Weighs In on Lack of Diversity Among Oscar Nominations

By Margo Gothelf 3 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Source: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times
Source: Jeff Vespa/WireImage
Source: Jeff Vespa/WireImage

George Clooney has given his opinion on the recent Oscar controversy regarding the lack of diversity among this year’s nominations.

In an interview with Variety, Clooney remarked that the Academy is “moving in the wrong direction” while many nominations this year were “left off the table.” Clooney blamed the problem on Hollywood’s issue with hiring minorities.

Advertisement

“I don’t think it’s a problem of who you’re picking as much as it is: How many options are available to minorities in film, particularly in quality films?” Clooney shared. “I think we have a lot of points we need to come to terms with. I find it amazing that we’re an industry that in the 1930s, most of our leads were women. And now a woman over 40 has a very difficult time being a lead in a movie.”

Clooney reflected on how the Academy has acknowledged actors of color in previous years, but did not recognize major contenders this year.

“I think around 2004, certainly there were black nominees — like Don Cheadle, Morgan Freeman. And all of a sudden, you feel like we’re moving in the wrong direction. There were nominations left off the table. There were four films this year: Creed could have gotten nominations; Concussion could have gotten Will Smith a nomination; Idris Elba could have been nominated for Beasts of No Nation; and Straight Outta Compton could have been nominated. And certainly last year, with Selma director Ava DuVernay — I think that it’s just ridiculous not to nominate her.”

Clooney continued to say that there should be more opportunities for the Academy to even consider and he was only referencing African-American roles. Clooney explained that “for Hispanics, it’s even worse. We need to get better at this. We used to be better at it.”

Stars are sitting out Oscars in protest over ‘#OscarsSoWhite’ nominationshttps://t.co/Jg9g422B5K pic.twitter.com/Mb8WQKcuCd

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 19, 2016

Clooney isn’t the first actor who has been outspoken since the Oscar nominations were announced. Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith took to social media to share their disappointment about the lack of diversity in the nominations. Both Lee and Pinkett Smith plan to boycott the ceremony on February 28. The lack of diversity also allowed the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite to resurface and trend on social media.

President of the Academy Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who is African-American, issued a statement regarding the lack of diversity citing it was time for a major change.

“I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful work of this year’s nominees. While we celebrate their extraordinary achievements, I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion,” Isaacs said in a statement. “This is a difficult but important conversation, and it’s time for big changes. The Academy is taking dramatic steps to alter the makeup of our membership. In the coming days and weeks we will conduct a review of our membership recruitment in order to bring about much-needed diversity in our 2016 class and beyond.”

A statement from Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs pic.twitter.com/Nqhgc7sbqG

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 19, 2016

Advertisement - Continue reading below

This Birthday Boy Gives the Gift of Pizza to Louisiana Flood Victims
Apple
Robin Milling 2 min read

This Birthday Boy Gives the Gift of Pizza to Louisiana Flood Victims

Horse Surprises Bride With Big Cheesy Grin on Her Wedding Day
Animals
Margo Gothelf 2 min read

Horse Surprises Bride With Big Cheesy Grin on Her Wedding Day

Eliot Spitzer Accused of Assault in Latest Scandal
News
Lauren Boudreau 2 min read

Eliot Spitzer Accused of Assault in Latest Scandal

Man’s Car Was Left Behind in Carjacking Because Gunman Thief Couldn’t Drive Stick
Apple
YDD Contributor 2 min read

Man’s Car Was Left Behind in Carjacking Because Gunman Thief Couldn’t Drive Stick

Bodybuilders Visit Tiny Village To Help Boost Their Self-Esteem
Lifestyle
Jason Owen 1 min read

Bodybuilders Visit Tiny Village To Help Boost Their Self-Esteem

Sofia Vergara Speaking With Helium Is as Magical as You’d Expect
Apple
Mauricio Castillo 1 min read

Sofia Vergara Speaking With Helium Is as Magical as You’d Expect

Greek Statue May Depict Laptop Computer
Entertainment
Lauren Boudreau 2 min read

Greek Statue May Depict Laptop Computer

Bengals’ Meltdown, Vikings’ Missed Game-Winner Highlight NFL Wild Card Weekend
Entertainment
Jason Owen 3 min read

Bengals’ Meltdown, Vikings’ Missed Game-Winner Highlight NFL Wild Card Weekend

Bag Boy’s Act Of Kindness Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity
Lifestyle
Ryan Miller 1 min read

Bag Boy’s Act Of Kindness Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity

Heidi Klum eying private island off coast of Connecticut
Entertainment
Sara Wilkins 1 min read

Heidi Klum eying private island off coast of Connecticut

Forget the Chair! This Puppy Found the Best Seat in the House
Apple
Margo Gothelf 1 min read

Forget the Chair! This Puppy Found the Best Seat in the House

Celebrate Veterans Day With This Heartwarming Homecoming Video Compilation
News
Nick Nunez 1 min read

Celebrate Veterans Day With This Heartwarming Homecoming Video Compilation

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers