The 2016 Academy Awards will go down this Sunday, and as usual, the rich will be getting richer. Celebs in attendance are going to be walking away with MAJOR swag, with everything from beauty treatments to lavish vacations in the gifting suites. This year, event planning firm GBK has put together gift packages worth $20,000 for attendees, and it includes an $8,000 trip for 2 to St. Martin, a $1,500 laser treatment, an $8,000 coupon to a Beverly Hills vision center (mad sunglasses!), and then smaller-ticket items like a $130 3D printing pen, and $15 vegan gum. Must be nice.
Just Don’t: Meryl Streep Says “We’re All Africans Really” Amidst #OscarsSoWhite Controversy
Sometimes it’s better not to say anything at all. That was definitely the case when award-winning actress Meryl Streep was asked her feelings on the issues of diversity in the film industry. Tuesday, during the Berlin International Film Festival, Streep who’s the president of the all white panel, was asked by a reporter about the lack of diversity among panelists. She told reporters, “We’re all Africans really.” Yeah…just let that sink in…..then hit the jump for more.
(Video) Jada Pinkett Smith Says Adding Black Voters To The Academy Won’t Solve #OscarsSoWhite Problem
Incase you were wondering, Jada Pinkett Smith still is not attending this year’s Oscars. TMZ photogs caught with her in Flint, Michigan earlier this week where she met with the Mayor over the current water crisis. When asked how she felt about The Motion Picture Academy’s decision to add more black voters, she addressed the fact that The Academy still just doesn’t get it. According to Jada, adding black voters doesn’t mean that more black actors and films will get the credit they deserve. She explained,
“Of course I think that it’s necessary but I’m also hoping that the Academy understands that it’s not just about having more black voters to give the connotation that black people vote black, but that the Academy as a whole, we all need to as human beings get to know each other.”
She broke down her view using Idris Elba’s “Beasts of No Nation” as an example. Check it out below.
(Video) Will Smith Says Jada Would Have Boycotted The Oscars Even If He Was Nominated For ‘Concussion’
Last month, Jada Pinkett Smith called for a boycott of the 88th Academy Awards in response to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. She was immediately backed by her husband Will, and other Hollywood names like Spike Lee. However many felt, Jada’s call for diversity had a lot to do with her husband not being nominated for his outstanding performance in the ‘Concussion’ film. In a recent interview with BBC Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw, Will Smith cleared up these accusations saying, his wife still would have boycotted the Oscars, even if he was nominated. Read more below.
(Video) President Obama Shares His Thoughts On The #OscarsSoWhite Controversy
As the 88th Academy Awards approach, the #OscarsSoWhite controversy continues to rear it’s ugly head. While many actors are calling for a boycott of the awards, President Obama has decided to share his thoughts about the boycott and the film industry’s diversity crisis. In an interview with KABC‘s David Ono, Obama pleaded with the industry to take creating “one American family” seriously. He said, “I think that when everybody’s story is told, then that makes for better art.” More below.
@OSheaJacksonJr Will Not Boycott The Oscars
There is a lot of talk going on about the Oscars right now, as many are upset about the lack of diversity in the nominees. Notable names like Jada Pinkett-Smith, Tyrese and Snoop Dogg have announced their decisions to boycott the prestigious awards ceremony until a real change comes, and even the Academy’s President has released a lengthy statement about the situation, promising a concerted effort moving forward to prevent the lack of inclusion. In the conversation about the lack of diversity in the nominees, Straight Outta Compton has come up quite often – as not only did it feature amazing acting from newcomers O’Shea Jackson Jr., Jason Mitchell and Corey Hawkins, but it broke box office records around the globe, and shined another much-needed light on racial profiling from police – a very pressing issue right now. Despite all of this, however, it was only nominated for Best Screenplay…and guess what? The film’s two writers? Yeah, they’re white. SOC star (and my future children’s father! Hey bae!) O’Shea Jackson Jr. isn’t worried, though, and he still plans to be in attendance, come February 28. (Totally available that day if you need a date, Shea…)
