‘This is a disgrace to artists everywhere’: Kirstie Alley slams new Oscars diversity and inclusion requirements
John V.
Posted On September 9, 2020
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Tuesday a new set of requirements for films to be awards-eligible in an effort to increase representation and inclusion in Hollywood, and it’s safe to say actress Kirstie Alley is not the least bit thrilled.
Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, the Academy said it is limiting Best Picture award nominees — beginning with 2024’s slate of entries — to those that can meet requirements that “encourage equitable representation on and off screen” by ensuring more people of color fill positions on a film set from the starring role to interns and everything in between, according to a press release published online.
Alley quickly took to Twitter to air her frustrations with the new standards, writing, “This is a disgrace to artists everywhere.”
Her tweet continued: “Can you imagine telling Picasso what had to be in his f–king paintings. You people have lost your minds. Control artists, control individual thought .. OSCAR ORWELL.”
Diversity and inclusion should be taught, taught so well and so naturally and genuinely that it becomes second nature to our children.
— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) September 9, 2020
Hours later, Alley tweeted that diversity and inclusion “should be taught, taught so well and so naturally and genuinely that it becomes second nature to our children.”
The star was met with heavy criticism from her followers, with a majority taking shots at her acting career.
“Well cis, given your career (or lack there of) this won’t impact you. Ashe,” one user clapped back.
Another questioned Alley: “Interesting take considering most of the films you’ve acted in are overwhelmingly white. Are you concerned about the lack of opportunities? You know these new rules helps you as a woman, right? Studios tell who to put in movies all the time.”
“Don’t worry, a little inclusion won’t be what’s keeping that Oscar statuette off your mantle….,” one person criticized.
