Executives behind the Oscars are struggling to find prominent black celebrities to present at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Several stars — including Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Spike Lee — announced this week that they would boycott the awards show after no black actors were nominated for the second year in a row. (RELATED: Jada Pinkett-Smith Is Boycotting The Oscars Because They’re Too White)
“The Oscars are looking for a black celebrity to give out the Best Picture award,” a source close to the Academy told Page Six. “Names they are talking about include Oprah Winfrey and Morgan Freeman.”
(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)
The source said Smith was considered, but during an interview Thursday, he said he is not attending because he wanted his family to be part of the solution, not “part of the problem.” (RELATED: Spike Lee On The Oscars: ‘I Never Used The Word Boycott’)
“We’re uncomfortable to stand there and say that this is OK,” Smith said. “My wife’s not going. It would be awkward to show up with Charlize [Theron].” (RELATED: Michael Moore: Hollywood Is Too White And Too Male)
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