Topics: Academy Awards, Entertainment, Oscars, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, World News, US News
The Oscars has reportedly refused an application for Vlodymyr Zelenskyy to make a speech during the glitzy ceremony.
The Ukrainian President has been welcomed by other awards shows, film festivals, and even the New York Stock Exchange when it came to pleading with the world to send help in their fight against Russia.
The Academy Awards, however, is having precisely none of it, according to Variety.
Zelenskyy had hoped to follow up his video-link appearance at last month's Berlin Film Festival with a virtual spot on the Oscars, but alas, he has apparently been turned away.
Advert
Yes, just like the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, the Academy turned away someone in need of help like an ill-tempered imaginary prince.
According to Variety, Hollywood power agent Mike Simpson from William Morris Endeavor pleaded with the Academy to let the Ukrainian leader speak.
However his request has fallen on deaf ears.
Looks like you can only have so much pull even when you're within the top echelons of Hollywood. Ouch.
Simpson became involved in urging the Academy to allow Zelenskyy to speak at Hollywood's night of nights as he represents Aaron Kaufman.
Kaufman co-directed the Zelenskyy documentary Superpower with Sean Penn, which had its debut at the aforementioned Berlin Film Festival last month.
Penn, who famously gifted his Oscar to Zelenskyy, has called on the US Government to do more to support Ukraine during his press tour for the film.
The director called for 'the delivery and supply of long-range precision missiles'.
Penn also introduced Zelenskyy at the Golden Globes in January, where the Ukrainian President reiterated his message of the past year.
He told those in the entertainment industry that Ukraine will win the war against Russia.
Zelenskyy also applauded 'the free people of the free world — those who united around the support of the free Ukrainian people'.
So some of Hollywood. But now all.
The Academy's snub marks the second year in a row they have ignored pleas from the President of Ukraine.
Variety reports that Oscars producer Will Packer rejected a Zelenskyy appearance last year as he feared Hollywood would cop backlash for favoring victims of war who are white.
So, instead, they have chosen to ignore everyone from Syria to Yemen and then on to Ukraine.
Nice job, gang.
Sound logic from the people in power that could make meaningful change by dipping into their bank accounts.
Both the Academy and Zelenskyy were approached by UNILAD for comment.
