It’s normal for entertainment outlets to speak with the powers that be that decide on the Academy Award wins, but these Oscar voters irked the internet. Much like publications do during Grammy Award season, Entertainment Weekly spoke with an Oscar voter ahead of the coveted ceremony. He, of course, remains anonymous, thus giving him the veil to speak candidly about his choices. Let’s just say he didn’t hold back.
The man, described as a longtime actor, finally got his wish to become a voting member of The Academy. However, he is disillusioned by the process and doesn’t mince words. “Now, I’m forced to — so, be careful what you wish for. The whole Hollywood back-slapping, ‘get a big stinkin’ load of me,’ it’s not a newsflash, it just seems to get worse and worse. I think the Academy is making an effort to please everybody, and it’s reflective of the state of the world, but I feel like they’re being held hostage — somewhat unfairly — by the wokeness.”
Oscar Voter Disparages Viola Davis
The Oscar voter further speaks on the backlash the Academy received over The Woman King and Till‘s snubs. Fans believed Viola Davis and Danielle Deadwyler, respectively, deserved to be acknowledged for Best Actress. Neither actor received a nomination, and some believed it was because the Academy is overwhelmingly white. The Oscar voter made it plain that Davis’s performance wasn’t up to par.
“When they get in trouble for not giving Viola Davis an award, it’s like, no, sweetheart, you didn’t deserve it. We voted, and we voted for the five we thought were best,” he further shared. “It’s not fair for you to start suddenly beating a frying pan and say [they’re] ignoring Black people. They’re really not, they’re making an effort. Maybe there was a time ten years ago when they were, but they have, of all the high-profile things, been in the forefront of wanting to be inclusive.”
“Shut Up & Relax”
“Viola Davis and the lady director need to sit down, shut up, and relax. You didn’t get a nomination — a lot of movies don’t get nominations. Viola, you have one or two Oscars, you’re doing fine.” Do you agree with the Oscar voter?
[via]