‘Critical’: Oscars on verge of being axed

This year’s Oscars ceremony is facing the axe as organisers grow increasingly concerned about the optics of celebrating amid tragedy.

The Oscars are at risk of being cancelled entirely in what would be a first in the history of Hollywood’s most prestigious awards.

As deadly wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles, a “secret contingency strategy” is being put in place for the Academy Awards ceremony to be called off over the coming weeks.

The highly classified plans, which were first put together after 9/11 in 2001, can be implemented if a “life-changing event” affects the glitzy awards bash being aired.

An insider told The Sun that the optics of having some of the world’s richest stars celebrating themselves while being served by minimum wage earning waiters could be a PR disaster in the making.

The Oscars are at major risk of being cancelled entirely this year, claim insiders. Picture: Mark Ralston / AFP

“The Oscars’ committees realise that in a worst case situation, the fires could continue for weeks, prompting disastrous and cataclysmic issues for LA and Hollywood, where the awards are staged,” explained an insider.

“The very thought of having a waiter, a poorly paid innocent who has lost their home, serving delicate wagyu burgers and sliced cucumber sandwiches to multi-millionaire movie stars doesn’t exactly sit right,” continued the source.

Nicole Kidman is in the running to be nominated for Best Actress for her role in Babygirl. Picture: Mike Coppola / Getty Images

“Homelessness is on the rise and there is an opioid epidemic. Right now Los Angeles is at an absolutely critical time in its history. It’s a nadir.

“The board’s main concern at this time is to not look like they are celebrating while many Los Angelenos are dealing with heartbreak and unimaginable loss. So the hierarchy decided that the focus will be support and fundraising when the right opportunities present themselves.”

Los Angeles is battling against a tragedy that has killed at least 25 people and left many others injured and without homes. Picture: Agustin Paullier / AFP

The likelihood of the ceremony being axed rose dramatically after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences cancelled the announcement of this year’s nominees and the nominees’ luncheon.

Oscars finalists were due to be announced at the ritzy event on January 17th, but will now be shared in a virtual event on the 23rd.

Thousands of homes have already been lost, including that of Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Milo Ventimiglia, Paris Hilton, Miles Teller and The Hills stars Heidi Montag and her partner Spencer Pratt

The reports come after it emerged that a 25th person has died as a result of the wildfires, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said.

Altadena man Zhi Feng Zhao, 84, died in the Eaton fire, which has killed at least 17 people so far, making it the fifth-deadliest in California’s history.

His place of death was listed as his home.

Originally published as ‘Critical’: Oscars on verge of being axed