Will Smith refuses to attend Oscars: 'It would be awkward’

WILL Smith has joined wife Jada Pinkett Smith in vowing not to attend the upcoming Oscars in protest over the lack of diversity among this year’s nominees.

Will Smith joins Oscars boycott

WILL Smith has joined wife Jada Pinkett Smith in her boycott of the Oscars, confirming he will not be attending the upcoming ceremony next month.

The Men in Black star said it would be “awkward” to attend in light of the ongoing debate about the lack of diversity among this year’s nominees.

“My wife’s not going. It would be awkward to show up with Charlize [Theron]. We’ve discussed it. We’re part of this community. But at this current time, we’re uncomfortable to stand there and say this is OK,” Smith told Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts.

The actor, who many predicted would receive an Academy Award nomination this year for his role in Concussion, said diversity was “the American superpower” and that, “at its best, Hollywood creates the imagery for that beauty”.

Will Smith says it is hard to get diverse, cultural sampling from 94% Caucasian, 77% male group of Academy members. https://t.co/7g1Kua73oc

— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 21, 2016

Commenting on this year’s 20 major acting nominations which, for the second year in a row, are all white, he added, “it’s not reflecting that beauty.”

“Everybody is beautiful and deserving and fantastic, but it feels like it’s going the wrong direction.

“There’s a regressive slide towards separatism, towards racial and religious disharmony and that’s not the Hollywood I want to leave behind.”

The two-time Oscar nominee said his decision not to attend was “so deeply not about me.”

“This is about children that are going to sit down and they’re going to watch this show and they’re not going to see themselves represented,” he told GMA.

Will Smith in a scene from Concussion. Smith says his decision not to attend the Oscars has nothing to do with not being recognised by the Academy for his role.

The 47-year-old star’s interview comes days after his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, announced she was boycotting the Oscars in protest over the lack of diversity among the nominees.

Pinkett Smith took to Facebook on January 18, posting a video where she said she hoped others would follow her lead. ”Here’s what I know … begging for acknowledgment or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power. And we are powerful, and let’s not forget it,” she said. “So let’s let the Academy do them with all grace and love, and let’s do us differently. At the Oscars … people of colour are always welcomed to give out awards … even entertain, but we are rarely recognised for our artistic accomplishments. Should people of colour refrain from participating all together?”

Director Spike Lee also declared he would not attend or watch the February 28 ceremony.

Comedian Chris Rock is facing calls from fellow celebrities to withdraw from his role as this year’s host as the row intensifies.