The #OscarsSoWhite hashtag is no more. At least for this year.
Oscar voters showered the neo-musical “La La Land” with 14 nominations on Tuesday, a tie with “Titanic” and “All About Eve” for the most nominations in Academy Award history. But the academy also has another feat this year. It moved past two #OscarsSoWhite years by honoring six black actors — a record — and including diverse films like “Moonlight,” “Fences” and “Hidden Figures” in the best picture race.
Academy Awards President Cheryl Boone Isaacs is 'extremely happy' that six black actors are nominated, just a year after the campaign 'Oscars So White' , a movement denouncing the lack of diversity at the awards.
While no actors of color were nominated the last two years, this year saw every acting category recognizing a person of color. A record-tying (with 2007) seven minority actors were recognized, including a record-setting six black actors.
{youtube}jj-ZYPVRQbc{/youtube}
In best actor, Denzel Washington landed his seventh nomination for Fences, extending his record as the most nominated black actor. His co-star Viola Davis was nominated in supporting actress, which also saw Davis’ The Help co-star Octavia Spencer nominated for Hidden Figures and Naomie Harris for Moonlight. With three nods, Viola Davis is now the most nominated black actress.
In the lead actress category, Ruth Negga was nominated for her work in Loving. And in supporting actor, Mahershala Ali landed a nom for Moonlight. Also recognized in supporting actor was Dev Patel, a British actor of Indian descent, for Lion.
But it didn’t just stop with the acting; many prominent categories also recognized people of color. With Manchester by the Sea nominated for best picture, Kimberly Steward is only the second black female to be nominated for producing — the first was none other than Oprah Winfrey for Selma.
#rhythmofthecity #y101fm #alwaysfirst #entertainment