Sunday 17 January 2016

Jada Pinkett Smith hints at boycotting Academy Awards for lack of diversity after host Chris Rock calls the Oscars the 'white BET Awards'

Jada Pinkett Smith hints at boycotting Academy Awards for lack of diversity after host Chris Rock calls the Oscars the 'white BET Awards'

  • Jada tweeted 'people of color' are 'rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments'
  • The actress added: 'Should people of color refrain from participating all together?'
  • Her husband Will, 47, has been nominated twice before
  • In 2001 he got the nod for Ali (he lost to Denzel Washington for Training Day)
  • In 2006 he was singled out for The Pursuit Of Happyness (he lost to Forest Whitaker for The Last King Of Scotland)
  • The day before host Rock called the Oscars the 'white BET Awards'
Jada Pinkett Smith was not happy with the lack of diversity with the nominations for the 88th Academy Awards.
On Saturday the 44-year-old actress took to Twitter to express her concerns. 'At the Oscars . . . people of color are always welcomed to give out awards . . . even entertain, but we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments,' said the Gotham star.
The day before, Chris Rock called the Oscars - which he is being paid to host - the 'white BET Awards.'
Not happy: Jada Pinkett Smith was not happy with the lack of diversity with the nominations for the 88th Academy Awards. On Saturday the  actress took to Twitter to express her concerns; here she is seen at the Golden Globe Awards on January 10
Not happy: Jada Pinkett Smith was not happy with the lack of diversity with the nominations for the 88th Academy Awards. On Saturday the actress took to Twitter to express her concerns; here she is seen at the Golden Globe Awards on January 10
Big words: The 44-year-old star hinted that perhaps some people should boycott the Oscars
Big words: The 44-year-old star hinted that perhaps some people should boycott the Oscars
The wife of Will Smith added: 'Should people of color refrain from participating all together?' 
Will was nominated twice: in 2001 for Ali (he lost to Denzel Washington for Training Day) and in 2006 for The Pursuit Of Happyness (he lost to Forest Whitaker for The Last King Of Scotland).
Pinkett has not been nominated for an Academy Award. 
Her other half: 'At the Oscars . . . people of color are always welcomed to give out awards . . . even entertain, but we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments,' said the Gotham star; Will has been nominated twice before at the Academy Awards
Her other half: 'At the Oscars . . . people of color are always welcomed to give out awards . . . even entertain, but we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments,' said the Gotham star; Will has been nominated twice before at the Academy Awards
Her circle: Pinkett with Will and Empire actress Taraji P. Henson, who won Sunday at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel 
Her circle: Pinkett with Will and Empire actress Taraji P. Henson, who won Sunday at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel 
In several back-to-back tweets Smith focused on how there were no black actors nominated in the top categories when the nominees were announced on Thursday, January 14.
The announcement of the nominees was followed by immediate backlash on Twitter, including the use of the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. 
Many believed the stars of Straight Outta Compton should have been given a nod, as well as Will for Concussion. 

Chris Rock gives the top 3 reasons to watch the 2016 Oscars

Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
00:00
Play
Mute
Current Time0:00
/
Duration Time0:30
Fullscreen
Need Text
No he didn't: On the same day, Chris Rock called the Oscars - which he is being paid to host - the 'white BET Awards'
No he didn't: On the same day, Chris Rock called the Oscars - which he is being paid to host - the 'white BET Awards'
This should be fun: The Academy Awards will air on ABC on February 28 at 7 p.m. EST
This should be fun: The Academy Awards will air on ABC on February 28 at 7 p.m. EST
Chris Rock's 'Let's Do This' 2016 Oscars promo

Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
00:00
Play
Mute
Current Time0:00
/
Duration Time0:15
Fullscreen
Need Text
The Academy Awards will air on ABC on February 28 at 7 p.m. EST. 
The Set It Off actress added, 'People can only treat us in the way in which we allow. With much respect in the midst of deep disappointment, J.'
For the second year in a row, there were no black performers nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor or Best Supporting Actress. 
This year's Oscars host, Chris Rock, also referenced the lack of diversity on Twitter.
He posted a 15-second promo clip on Friday with the caption, 'The #Oscars. The White BET Awards.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3403843/Jada-Pinkett-Smith-hints-boycotting-Academy-Awards-lack-diversity-host-Chris-Rock-calls-Oscars-white-BET-Awards.html#ixzz3xWx6mKJL
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook