The Oscar host doesn't pull punches at the Academy for the lack of diversity in this year's nominations, but calls Hollywood 'racist.'
- February 29, 2016
AceShowbiz -
As expected, Chris Rock addressed the lack of diversity in this year's Oscar nominations during his opening monologue at the 88th annual Academy Awards. Kicking off the show on Sunday night, February 28, he called the show the "White People's Choice Awards."
"I counted at least 15 black people in that montage," the host said. He added, "This in memoriam package is just going to be black people shot by the police on their way to the movies."
Rock, however, did not blame the Academy for the lack of racial diversity among the nominees. "If you want black nominees every year you need to have back categories ... like best black friend. And the winner for the 18th year in a row in Wanda Sykes," he said. "Is Hollywood racist? You're damn right Hollywood is racist. Hollywood is sorority racist. They're like 'We like you, Rhonda. But you aren't a Kappa.' "
The comedian also took a jab at Jada Pinkett Smith who boycotted the Oscar due to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. "Jada turning down the Oscars is like me turning down Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited," he said. Do you agree with Rock?
