Backlash to the 2020 BAFTA Awards came quickly after nominations were announced on Tuesday — and actors of color were completely left out.
WhileJennifer Lopezhas been a fixture in the supporting actress race all awards season, she failed to pick up a nomination forHustlersat the BAFTAs, who instead nominatedMargot Robbietwice in the category.
Awkwafina made history Sunday night at theGolden Globesafter she became the first Asian actress to pick up a best actress win. The comedic actress did land a Rising Star BAFTA nomination.
Jennifer Lopez.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The British Academy Film Awards nominating committee addressed the backlash shortly after the nominations were announced.
“We’d have liked to have seen more diversity in the nominations, it does continue to be an industry-wide issue,” BAFTA’s director of awards, Emma Baehr,toldThe Hollywood Reporterfollowing the nominations. “I think more films need to be made, and entered, giving people a chance to see them. We’d absolutely like to see more diversity, but I also don’t want to take away from those celebrating today.”
Lopez, 50, had been gaining steam for her performance inHustlersthanks to a few high-profile nominations, including Golden Globe, SAG and Independent Spirit Awards nods.
Instead, the British Academy Film Awards nominated Globe category winner Laura Dern,Little Women‘s Florence Pugh andJojo Rabbit‘s Scarlett Johansson for the other three spots.
Robbie, 29, will compete against herself in the supporting actress race, as both her performances inOnce Upon a Time… in HollywoodandBombshellwere recognized.
Awkwafina at the Golden Globe Awards.Michael Buckner/Variety/Shutterstock
The nominations were quickly criticized on social media, with fans and critics alike taking issue with the lack of diversity — and pointing to the academy’s long history of not nominating actors of color.
“BAFTA has never nominated Denzel Washington. For anything! Ever! So that tells you something that their show continues to make clear year after year. Come the f— on,”New York Timesjournalist Kyle Buchanantweeted.
“An all-white slate of acting nominees, in this of all years. BAFTA, this is not good enough,” critic Guy Lodgeechoed.
“BAFTA can give double nominations for margot and scarjo but nothing for lupita, awkwafina, zhao shuzhen, cynthia erivo, parasite cast or greta gerwig with an all male director nominees.. what a f—– joke,”one fan wrote, pointing out how Scarlett Johansson also picked up two nominations, one for supporting actress and one for lead actress.
Overall, Joaquin Phoenix’sJokercame away on top with 11 nominations, whileOnce Upon a Time… in HollywoodandThe Irishmantied for second with 10 nods. Sam Mendes’1917, which just won best motion picture drama at the Globes, earned 9 nominations.
The 2020 BAFTA Awards will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Feb. 2.
source: people.com
