Celebrity News January 24, 2016
Host Chris Rock Will Tackle #OscarsSoWhite Controversy in His Monologue
Host Chris Rock isn't going anywhere — although it sounds like he will be going there when it comes to addressing the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.
Variety confirms that Rock will not heed calls to boycott the Oscars in protest of the Academy's selection of no actors of color among its 20 nominations this year.
Variety quotes Oscars producer Reginald Hudin as saying that Rock is in the process of reworking his entire opening. Hudin says Rock told him, "I'm throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show."
Does that mean Rock could cause controversy on Oscar night? You better believe it. Hudin said, "They're excited about him doing that. They know that's what we need. They know that's what the public wants, and we deliver what the people want."
Rock isn't the only one reacting to the #OscarsSoWhite uproar, which was started when Jada Pinkett Smith announced she would not attend — the Academy itself has announced plans to overhaul its membership to inject more diversity into its ranks, doubling its female and minority members by 2020. The changes have been praised by some Academy members, including director Ava DuVernay, but are provoking complaints from others.
