Jada Pinkett Smith Hints At Boycotting Oscars Awards

Jada Pinkett Smith wife of Will Smith was not happy with the lack of diversity with the nominations for the 88th Academy Awards nickname the Oscars.

The 44 years old actress took to Twitter to express her concerns saying “At the Oscars . . . people of color are always welcomed to give out awards . . . even entertain, but we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments. Should people of colour refrain from participating all together?” 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 as many believed the stars of Straight Outta Compton should have been given a nod, as well as Will Smith for Concussion.

Pinkett has not been nominated for an Academy Award but Will was nominated twice back in 2001 for Ali and in 2006 for The Pursuit Of Happiness but lost on both occasion.  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. 

Chris Rock who would be hosting this year Oscars talked about the lack of diversity on Twitter, posting a 15-second promo clip with the caption, “The #Oscars. The White BET Awards”.