The 'Chi-Raq' director is 'happy' with the Academy's plans to ensure a more diverse awards ceremony in coming years, but he and his wife Tonya still won't attend this year's Oscars.
- Jan 25, 2016
AceShowbiz - Spike Lee is "happy" with the Academy's plans to ensure a more diverse awards ceremony in coming years. "People have to understand it's not going to happen overnight, but I think the changes that [Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs] implemented with the board of governors, it's going to have an impact," Spike told E! News during the premiere of his new documentary "Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall" at the Sundance Film Festival.
Spike and his wife Tonya, however, still won't attend this year's Oscars. "The change [Isaacs] is going is good, but it's not going to change what happened the second year in a row," the "Chi-Raq" director shared, referring to all of the acting nominees being white. He joked, "I want to see the Knicks play basketball."
Spike said he's planning on being at a New York Knicks game the same night the Academy Awards are handed out. "I really think all the discussion is good because it's been the elephant in the room," he continued, "Now, let's put everything out on the table. Let's put it out there and discuss it. Everybody is getting their point of view in and we'll see who's on the right side of history and who's one the wrong side of history. History will show that. I'm very confident where I'll be."
Spike and Tonya are not the only celebrity couple who decided not to attend the 2016 Oscars. Previously, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith also announced that they would not appear on the award ceremony.
