We’re not sure if anyone in Hollywood is listening, but Hillary Clinton has some thoughts on the entertainment industry’s diversity problem and the Academy’s new rules.
“I think it is overdue, but the Academy announced that they are going to be making some changes as they should,” Clinton told Aol.com.
“Just think of the great films that not only display the diversity of America, but the diversity of the human experience,” the Democratic presidential frontrunner added.
Since the Oscar nominations were announced on Jan. 14, Academy voters have come under fire for failing to nominate a single actor of color, even though the cast of “Straight Outta Compton” is nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Ensemble Award, and Will Smith and Idris Elba both received Golden Globe nominations.
Many industry insiders have expressed their disappointment with the Academy, including Will Smith, Michael Moore and Spike Lee, saying they will not attend the Oscars this year.
Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced what it referred to as “a sweeping series of substantive changes” to its rules to promote diversity in Academy membership.
The group’s goal, it said in the statement, is to double the number of women and diverse members by 2020.
While that’s a good step, the Academy still has a long way to go, Clinton said.
“The Academy has to catch up with our reality.”