#OscarsSoWhite: Will Smith joins Oscar 2016 boycott
Kohilah Sekaran
January 22, 2016 11:47 MYT
January 22, 2016 11:47 MYT
Will Smith (middle) has confirmed he will be joining his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith (right) and director Spike Lee (left), in not attending the Academy Awards on February 28 over the lack of diversity.
Will Smith has confirmed he will be joining his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in not attending the Academy Awards on February 28 over the lack of diversity.
The actor told US television show 'Good Morning America' that he feels uncomfortable to stand there and say that this is OK.
"It's not reflecting that beauty.
"Everybody is beautiful and deserving and fantastic, but it feels like it's going the wrong direction," Smith reacted to this year's all-white line-up of acting nominees.
Smith was one of several black and Hispanic actors who were predicted to be nominated this year.
However, this was not the case as for the second year in a row, all the nominees were white.
This subsequently prompted anger and condemnation among the actors and fans over the lack of diversity.
It was then that the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag and campaign were created to show dissatisfaction by claiming it as a racist award ceremony.
Many netizens were surprised to learn that some the good movies lead by black actors were not nominated.
READ: Redford refuses to be drawn into Oscars controversy
They questioned the fact why are the same actors or directors were being nominated every year when the opportunity could be used to nominate other deserving actors.
Filmmaker Spike Lee also joined the boycott while Comedian Chris Rock is facing calls to withdraw from his role as host from this year's ceremony.