Tyler Perry on Oscar snubs: ‘It is what it is’
The lack of diversity and notable snubs in this year’s Oscar nominations left Tyler Perry annoyed, but he says it’s not worth getting upset because it’s a system that is not going to change.
“There is no need in going back and forth ... or protesting. It is what it is. This is how it is in Hollywood, and it’s how it will always be,” Perry said hours after the nominations were announced.
Not only were there no female nominees in directing for the 87th time in Oscar history, there was also only one person of color, Cynthia Erivo, among the 20 acting nominees.
“I feel like Jennifer Lopez should have been nominated (for “Hustlers”). She did a great job,” Perry said. “I feel like Awkwafina did a great job (for “The Farewell”). Beyonce should have been nominated (for original song for “The Lion King”). But it is what it is.”
He added that he didn’t “know what all of the hoopla is about.
“It doesn’t have anything to do with what I’m doing ... I’m just gonna do what I do and just see what happens,” Perry said.
Perry’s newest film, “A Fall From Grace,” tells the story of a divorced woman looking for love. She marries, but her short-lived joy turns violent, and she finds herself fighting the legal system for her freedom.
“I don’t know if it’s a departure as much as people think it is. People in Hollywood always want you to stick to a certain genre or a certain thing, and there are a lot of different things that I like to do. So, this is a thriller that I was just excited about doing something different,” Perry said.
The movie, which premieres Friday on Netflix, stars Phylicia Rashad, Cicely Tyson and Crystal Fox.