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Helen Mirren Defends The Oscars: ‘It’s Unfair To Attack Them’

Kaitlan Collins Contributor
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Helen Mirren defended the Oscars because she said it’s unfair to blame them for the lack of diversity in nominations.

Several celebrities threatened to boycott the Academy Awards after no black actors were nominated for the second year in a row.

“I think it’s unfair to attack the academy,” Mirren said during an interview Wednesday. “It just so happens this year, it went that way.” (RELATED: Obama Was Just Asked About The All White Oscars. You’ve Got To See His Answer)

Helen Mirren Oscars comments

(Photo: Getty Images)

Mirren said that Idis Elba should have been nominated for his role in “Beasts of No Nation,” but added that he wasn’t overlooked because of his race. (RELATED: No Black Actors Nominated For An Oscar)

“He wasn’t because not enough people saw or wanted to see a film about child soldiers,” she said.

(Photo: Reuters)

(Photo: Reuters)

“The issue we need to be looking at is what happens to the film before it gets to the Oscars,” Mirren continued.

“What kind of films are made. And the way in which they are cast. And the scripts. And go all the way back to the writing of the scripts. It’s those things that are much more influential ultimately than who stands with the Oscar.”

Mirren will not attend this year’s awards. (RELATED: Academy Producer Reveals Whether Chris Rock Will Still Host The Oscars)