Oscars

Hannah Beachler. Black woman with black hair smiles while wearing white dress with red and gray and yellow leaves and black lines in front of grey background with orange lines and grey CocaCola and AT&T logos.
Sameer Rao  Feb 22, 2019 3:19PM EST

LISTEN: Oscar Nominee Hannah Beachler Talks Bringing Wakanda to Life

The “Black Panther” production designer is the first Black woman ever nominated in her category.
Kevin Hart. Black man in black and red striped shirt and black jeans sits on brown stool and speaks into black microphone in front of light pink wall with white text
Sameer Rao  Dec 5, 2018 3:14PM EST

Indigenous Critics Not Pleased That Kevin Hart Will Host Oscars

The comedian faces backlash for throwing a “cowboys and Indians” party for his son’s first birthday.
Cicely Tyson. Black woman with black hair in silver outfit and light grey gloves holds gold Oscar statue in front of black woman in green outfit and man in black and white tuxedo and purple and brown screens
Sameer Rao  Nov 19, 2018 12:35PM EST

Watch Cecily Tyson Accept Honorary Oscar

The 93-year-old Hollywood veteran reflected on her decades of work in the entertainment industry while accepting a special gold statue at the 10th Annual Governors Awards.
Black man in white tuxedo and black glasses smiles while holding gold award statue in front of black and white and gold background
Sameer Rao  Mar 5, 2018 10:15AM EST

How Artists of Color Made Race Matter at the 90th Oscars

#OscarsALittleLessWhite?
Black man in grey suit with blue shirt stands next to Black man seated in grey suit with white shirt next to Black man seated in black shirt next to Black man standing in black shirt and jacket in front of dark yellow wall
Sameer Rao  Feb 23, 2018 3:46PM EST

4 Can't-Miss Quotes From a Roundtable of Every African American Ever Nominated for a Best Director Oscar

Barry Jenkins, John Singleton, Lee Daniels and Jordan Peele sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for a discussion about past and present realities for Black American filmmakers.
Black woman with black afro in grey tank top in front of blurry grey and black background
Sameer Rao  Feb 16, 2018 12:46PM EST

Oscar-Nominated 'Traffic Stop' Explores Violent Arrest of Breaion King

The short documentary delves into the Black teacher’s interaction with two White Austin Police Department officers in 2015. 
Gold award statue in front of orange and black background
Sameer Rao  Jan 24, 2018 10:36AM EST

Advocacy Groups Say Academy, Entertainment Industry Need to Do Better

Color of Change and The National Hispanic Media Coalition are calling for more Black and Latinx representation and recognition in the entertainment industry.
Black man in grey suit and tie sits next to Black man in turquoise tuxedo and black tie next to Black man in navy suit and tie behind green and gold champagne bottles on yellow tablecloth
Sameer Rao  Jan 23, 2018 11:57AM EST

'Get Out,' 'Strong Island' Earn 2018 Oscar Nominations

Here are the artists of color and race-focused films to follow at this year’s Academy Awards. 
Black woman in black-and-white dress holds hand of Black woman in black, red and white dress in front of Black man in black and white tuxedo on red carpet
Sameer Rao  Jun 29, 2017 1:03PM EDT

Academy Builds on Diversity Drive With 30 Percent-POC Class of 2017

The Academy broke induction records with 774 new members, 232 of whom inched up its percentage of people of color from 11 to 13 percent.
Black man in black-rimmed glasses and black tuxedo with white shirt against white and gold background
Sameer Rao  Mar 2, 2017 12:17PM EST

READ: What Barry Jenkins Planned to Say When 'Moonlight' Won Best Picture

The #OscarFail prevented him from delivering his prepared speech. But you can read it here.
Black-and-white photo of Black man seated in wooden chair with black t-shirt next to black-and-white photo of Black boy in black tshirt, both against gray-white backgrounds
Sameer Rao  Feb 28, 2017 4:23PM EST

'Moonlight' Stars Offer 'Revelation' in New Calvin Klein Spread

Mahershala Ali, Trevante Rhodes, Alex Hibbert and Ashton Sanders feature in the design house’s new black-and-white fashion campaign.
Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali pose with their Oscars.
Kenrya Rankin  Feb 26, 2017 8:54PM EST

The People of Color Who Won Big at the Oscars

…And the craziest, must-see moment of the night.
Black woman in navy dress against white background with black text and gold swirl
Sameer Rao  Feb 15, 2017 12:34PM EST

Octavia Spencer on Hollywood Diversity: 'The Tide Has Changed, But We Still Have a Ways to Go'

In a new Deadline interview, the actress discusses her “Hidden Figures” performance and actors of color’s increased representation in this year’s Oscar nominee pool.
Six Black women and men standing against light blue background with dark blue text, with one Black man holding gold statue and one Black woman wearing a gold gown
Sameer Rao  Jan 24, 2017 11:18AM EST

'Moonlight,' 'Fences' and Actors of Color Make Oscar History

Viola Davis, Mahershala Ali and four others round out the most diverse Academy Awards acting nominee pool ever.
Michael B. Jordan in white shirt with orange and green background; America Ferrera with beige dress and off-white background
Sameer Rao  Jun 30, 2016 12:59PM EDT

Academy Responds to #OscarsSoWhite Criticism With 683 New Members

The 2016 class, which includes America Ferrera and Michael B. Jordan, is 46 percent female and 41 percent people of color.
Sameer Rao  Mar 7, 2016 3:03PM EST

Jada Pinkett Smith Says Chris Rock's Oscars Crack 'Comes With the Territory'

Chris Rock targeted the actress’ #OscarsSoWhite boycott during his much-talked-about opening monologue at last week’s Oscars ceremony. 
Sameer Rao  Feb 29, 2016 10:03AM EST

Chris Rock Swings for Fences, Mostly Misses at This Year's #OscarsSoWhite

Jokes about Asian youth labor exploitation and Stacey Dash left us scratching our heads last night.
Sameer Rao  Feb 4, 2016 10:49AM EST

Lupita Nyong'o on #OscarsSoWhite: 'It’s a Symptom of Something Else'

“What we are asking for is really for more stories to be told—for inclusion in the stories that are told.”
Sameer Rao  Feb 1, 2016 11:44AM EST

Uzo Aduba, Idris Elba and More Sweep #SAGsSoBlack

Is this the Screen Actors Guild’s response to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy? 
Sameer Rao  Jan 28, 2016 11:37AM EST

#TBT to Chris Rock Talking S**t about the Oscars...A Decade Ago

“Ben Affleck got a Oscar, and Morgan Freeman got a Oscar—are they equal?”