Movies

Oscar Committee Members Abstain from Voting Over Woke Nominees

BBG News

According to a source, members of the Oscar committee are sensing that the awards ceremony may be wrapping up, as lesser-known films have been chosen over blockbusters for the Best Picture category due to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) considerations.

On Sunday, the 97th Academy Awards event is scheduled to take place at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, yet there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm among both viewers and the voters who decide on the nominees.

Emilia Perez, along with The Brutalist, Anora, Wicked, The Complete Unknown, and Dune: Part Two, are all nominated for the Best Picture award.

However, as per podcast host and writer Raymond Arroyo’s statements, it appears that quite a few individuals in Hollywood aren’t content with the selections, even among the 9,945 potential voters.

Arroyo also noted ‘boxes’ that have to be checked in order for films to be nominated for an Oscar. 

In conversation with Fox News Digital, Arroyo mentioned that one of the Oscar winners had noted, “You realize, my movie might not even be eligible for an Oscar these days due to all the criteria it needs to meet,” many of which are related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Additionally, he mentioned that the representation and inclusion guidelines set by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, which were implemented during the previous year’s event, have also made a noticeable difference.

To be eligible for the Best Picture award, movies must fulfill at least two of the following criteria, which emphasize representation for historically underrepresented demographics such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Karla Sofia Gascón, a notable figure in Emilia Perez, made history as the initial transgender individual to receive an Academy Award nomination.

Some voters, disillusioned with this year’s voting options, have chosen to abstain from voting, as Arroyo stated to the outlet.

He shared that numerous Oscar voters have expressed to him that the Oscars have reached a point where they’ve lost their luster, suggesting an inevitable decline for the prestigious awards ceremony.

As a diehard movie enthusiast, I wholeheartedly echo Arroyo’s sentiments when he emphasized the importance of diversity in cinema. Specifically, he stressed that for this project, we should aim to cast a diverse array of talent, moving away from traditional norms, and involve an abundance of non-white crew members behind the scenes.

It’s intriguing to note that many films are overlooked at the Oscars since they fail to meet certain criteria or ‘tick the right boxes.’ These movies might not make it due to being unable to satisfy the requirements often considered essential.

‘They didn’t have the creative staff or the casting that could accommodate them,’ he continued. 

Those who did vote this year have been branded ‘out of touch’ by those in Hollywood, he added. 

He pointed out that the nominees’ selections don’t seem to align with current preferences among the public.

It’s troublesome when a group of individuals work independently from their audience. This becomes especially challenging when they present themselves as the cultural voice and heart of the nation. Many in Hollywood are now recognizing this disconnect, perhaps realizing that the Oscars no longer carry the same weight as they once did.

Arroyo argued that, had the voters been in tune with a typical film-goer’s preferences, they would have chosen Deadpool and Wolverine as nominees instead.

Despite earning over $1.3 billion as the second-biggest box office hit of 2024, the movie didn’t receive any nominations this year.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I can’t contain my excitement! The masterpieces “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” have swept the Oscar nominations this year, each racking up an impressive tally of 10 nods! Incredibly, Emilia Perez shines with a stunning 13 nominations, while Anora follows closely behind with a well-deserved six. This is going to be one unforgettable awards season!

Arroyo said that voters are now ‘reflecting an industry’ that’s ‘been so shattered.’ 

Just as television evolved from having just a few channels to countless options on cable, the internet has become a vast landscape where there are numerous streaming shows to compete against.

In today’s era, there’s been significant transformation, particularly within the field of cinema. Streaming platforms have emerged as dominant players. However, these platforms may not always attract a united viewership. Thus, we find ourselves navigating through uncharted territory.

He went on to say: ‘Nowadays, film is not as significant a marker of our culture as it used to be. This is what I picked up from these voters – a recognition that times have changed, and perhaps the Oscars should adjust accordingly.’

As far as the nominated films are concerned, Arroyo expressed his belief that not many people actually watched them.

Arroyo stated that it seems many people haven’t watched any of the movies – Emilia Perez, The Brutalist, and Anora – which might suggest a lack of excitement about them.

He stated that among all the movies nominated for best picture, only “Wicked” has been a financial success at the box office. The rest of the films are more likely to be smaller, independent productions shown in art houses.

He additionally pointed out that the ratings the program receives on Sundays might influence the upcoming event’s fate, which is scheduled to be hosted by Conan O’Brien.

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He further noted that the show’s Sunday ratings could impact the future of the event, with Conan O’Brien as its host.

He mentioned that the number of movies they release might fluctuate based on if a significant film comes out during that year. However, this year, it seems like aside from Wicked, there wasn’t anything else that resonated with the public, inspired them, or moved them deeply, or even attracted large crowds to watch.

It’s uncertain whether it still holds the same influence now, considering the regulations, the current era, and the solitary nature of the Academy’s operations.

1) In 2024, the award ceremony attracted approximately 19.5 million viewers, representing a 4% increase compared to the viewership in 2023, as reported by Variety. This rise was particularly notable among the 18-49 age group.

In essence, Arroyo expressed his desire for the Oscars to grow more inclusive and democratized, enabling a greater say or involvement from the viewers.

The drama disrupted the event as Gascón elusively disappeared during the Oscar nominees’ glamorous dinner on Tuesday night, choosing not to attend.

Over the past few weeks, the 52-year-old actress, who has recently faced criticism, has not attended award ceremonies. This is due to the unearthing of offensive tweets containing racist and Islamophobic content, some of which were posted quite recently, on her public account on X (previously known as Twitter).

Her non-attendance resulted in her being omitted from the official photograph of the 2025 Oscar nominee group, which showcased A-list celebrities like Wicked contenders Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Demi Moore, Timothée Chalamet, Mikey Madison, Sebastian Stan, and others.

Even though he missed the event, it was reported by a source to People magazine that Gascón plans to go to the Oscars.

In the show Emilia Pérez, Gascón plays the lead role of a transgender woman. Previously, this woman had been a powerful drug lord living as a man in Mexico. After orchestrating her own death, she underwent a transformation to become the person we see today.

The movie’s prospects took a hit when it was revealed Gascón’s past tweets, which contained remarks seen as racist towards George Floyd and critical of Muslims, as well as tweets opposing the idea of diversity, surfaced.

After notices about her X account’s public posts were made known, Gascón chose to delete it. However, her efforts to clarify matters in subsequent interviews fell short, as she issued vague apologies and denied the accusations that her posts contained racist content.

As a lifestyle expert, I would rephrase it like this: In response to some criticism by Audiard during interviews for our film’s promotional campaign, I chose to remain silent on social media in February 6th’s Instagram post, hoping that my silence would enable the movie to be appreciated for its true essence – a captivating tribute to love and diversity.

‘I sincerely apologize to everyone who has been hurt along the way,’ she added.

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2025-02-27 19:51

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