Lupita Nyong’o admits she is “disappointed” that only white actors and actresses have been nominated at this year’s Academy Awards.
Lupita Nyong’o is “disappointed” by the lack of diversity in this year’s Academy Awards nominations.
The ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ actress has taken to Instagram to voice her opinions, insisting she is standing with her “peers who are calling for change”.
She wrote: “I am disappointed by the lack of inclusion in this year’s Academy Awards nominations. It has me thinking about unconscious prejudice and what merits prestige in our culture.
“The Awards should not dictate the terms of art in our modern society, but rather be a diverse reflection of the best of what our art has has to offer today. 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.”Meanwhile, David Oyelowo is just another in a long list of stars who has spoken out about the Oscar nods, admitting it is “unforgivable” that no black actors have been nominated for two years running.
He shared: “The Academy has a problem. It’s a problem that needs to be solved. A year ago, I did a film called ‘Selma’, and after the Academy Awards, Cheryl [Boone Isaacs; Academy president] invited me to her office to talk about what went wrong then. We had a deep and meaningful conversation.
“For 20 opportunities to celebrate actors of colour, actresses of colour, to be missed last year is one thing; for that to happen again this year is unforgivable. I am an Academy member and it doesn’t reflect me, and it doesn’t reflect this nation.”
Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith have already revealed they will be boycotting the Academy Awards, which take place next month, over the nomination list.
