Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel hit out at the Academy for snubbing Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie.
Despite Barbie breaking several records following its release last summer, the director and lead star didn’t receive a nomination in either the Best Director or Best Actress categories at the 2024 Academy Awards.
When the nominees were announced in January, the “snub” caused uproar on social media, with movie fans questioning the decision to skip Robbie and Gerwig, while nominating Ryan Gosling, who played Ken, for Best Supporting Actor—accusing the Academy of missing the point of the film.
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Kimmel addressed the backlash in his opening monologue, telling the audience: “Barbie was a monster hit. One of the biggest movies of the year.
“What an achievement, to take a plastic doll nobody even liked anymore and now Barbie is a feminist icon.”
The comedian then thanked Gerwig, who “many believed deserved to be nominated for Best Director tonight.”
As the star-studded crowd showed support for his remarks, Kimmel said: “I know you’re clapping, but you’re the ones who didn’t vote for her. Don’t act like you had nothing to do with this.”
Kimmel also praised Robbie for putting “this giant thing together.” In addition to starring as Barbie, the 33-year-old was also a producer on the mega-hit.
Although it missed out on Best Director and Best Actress nods, Barbie was nominated in several other categories including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Costume Design and Best Original Song.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.