Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs is just as disappointed as we are about the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations. In an interview with Deadline, Isaacs expressed her frustration.
“Of course I am disappointed,” she said. “But this is not to take away the greatness (of the films nominated). This has been a great year in film, it really has across the board. You are never going to know what is going to appear on the sheet of paper until you see it.”
‘Straight Outta Compton’ and Nina Simone Documentary Earn Oscar Nods
“You are never going to know what is going to appear on the sheet of paper until you see it,” she added.
No actors or actresses of color received nominations for their work in film this year.
Straight Outta Compton received a nomination for Best Original Screenplay but didn’t earn a nod for Best Picture. Will Smith’s Concussion, Beasts of No Nation starring Idris Elba and the Ryan Coogler directed film Creed with Michael B. Jordan were snubbed from any Oscar recognition.
#OscarsSoWhite, a hashtag that first emerged after the release of last year’s nomination, resurfaced once again to call out the lack of diversity following the announcement for the 88th annual Academy Awards ceremony.
Isaacs added that the Academy has to “speed it up” when it comes to embracing the diversity that is often already ignored in Hollywood.