Oscars 2022: Hollywood Hypocrisy
The Oscars stirred up much controversy. Source: user theglobalpanorama via Openverse
The 2022 Oscars aired on ABC on Sunday, March 27. Despite being a night to celebrate the year’s best in film, the show was full of unexpected turbulence. Much of the award show’s content led to controversy on social media. People began to pose questions about the validity of the Academy and the authenticity of the public figures in attendance.
During the ceremony, a moment of silence was held to show solidarity with Ukraine. Prior to the event, there was much debate over whether not the Oscars would offer Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the chance to make a statement regarding the recent Ukrainian-Russian conflict on the show. However, the Academy opted to hold a moment of silence as a way to show support for Ukraine. As a part of this demonstration, the Academy issued a statement which appeared on screen for viewers, stating, “While film is an important avenue for us to express our humanity in times of conflict, the reality is millions of families in Ukraine need food, medical care, clean water and emergency services. Resources are scarce, and we — collectively as a global community — can do more. We ask you to support Ukraine in any way you are able. #StandWithUkraine.” However, the solemnity and empathy the Academy and its patrons were trying to convey appears to be extremely hypocritical.
While the Academy’s statement aimed to persuade and encourage those watching from home to donate to Ukraine, all the nominees of the night were sent home with a complimentary gift bag totalling over $100,000. Included in the bags were expensive food and snacks, vacations, home renovations and various kinds of self-care products and luxury services, according to Cosmopolitan. Meanwhile, the in-show statement did not indicate any sort of service on behalf of the Academy to assist Ukraine.
There is an unjust form of irony in Hollywood’s wealthiest people and organizations asking the average person to make their best efforts and donate to Ukraine while they go home with thousands of dollars worth of unnecessary goodies.
What undoubtedly made the 2022 Oscars one of the most talked about programs of the year thus far was the infamous slapping of Chris Rock by Oscar winner, Will Smith. Upon Rock making a joke referencing Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkettt Smith’s, autoimmune disease, Smith stormed the main stage and slapped Rock across the face. The unprecedented event left attendees and at home viewers baffled, leading to further online debate about whether or not Smith was in the wrong for defending his wife. With Smith then going on to win an Oscar later in the evening, discourse sparked on Twitter immediately following the show about rumors of the Academy confiscating Smith’s award. Recently, the Academy announced that Smith is to be banned from attending the Oscars, in person and virtually, for the next ten years due to his behavior.
Social media users were quick to criticize the Academy’s hypocrisy. “Here in Hollywood Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey & Woody Allen can have their Oscar’s…yet one little slap that the person on the receiving end didn’t even press charges for and you’re banned for a whole decade,” remarked @RPATZLEDGER on Twitter. Hollywood figures like these, who have been honored with Oscar wins in the past, have various violent allegations against them, including sexual assault of a minor; none of which have ever been banned from the event nor have had their Oscars taken away. Similarly, people have commented on the Academy awarding various nominations to Steven Speilberg’s West Side Story, starring Ansel Elgort as the male lead. Elgort has also recently been accused of sexual assault, but after almost a year of silence, he has resurfaced to the spotlight in this film as its leading man.
Social media users were infuriated that his allegations have been swept under the rug, only further perpetuated by the Academy with West Side Story’s numerous nominations this year. How the Academy could excuse this sort of behavior yet punish Smith so harshly has been a controversial topic of conversation ever since Smith’s 10-year ban was publicized.
There is prevalent hypocrisy in Hollywood, not only in the Academy, the Oscars and award shows of the like. A benefit of social media is allowing people to highlight questionable discrepancies amongst society’s elite, but until a serious reflection is undergone in Hollywood, there might not be much that society’s opinions can do. For now, continuing to hold those in Hollywood accountable for their questionable actions can hopefully raise further awareness about unique issues.