Sylvester Stallone considered boycotting Oscars

‘Rocky’ superstar was on the fence regarding his nomination

LOS ANGELES: As the Academy Awards draw nearer, it seems like the hype surrounding the diversity debate is gradually dying down. Previously, the issue had propelled celebrities like actor Will Smith and director Spike Lee to boycott this year’s ceremony in protest. Aside from them, the majority of Hollywood A-listers remained mum over the issue, even if they felt strongly about it.

One such personality was actor Sylvester Stallone who had been contemplating sitting the February 28 ceremony out until African-American director Ryan Coogler advised him otherwise. Stallone, who is nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category this year, sought the Creed director’s advice on the matter, reported aceshowbiz.com. He had previously said he felt “incredibly humbled” by the nomination but was not sure whether he should celebrate it.

“I spoke with Ryan Coogler when this happened. I said, ‘Ryan how do you want to handle this? Because I really believe you are responsible for me being here’,” revealed Stallone at the Oscar nominees luncheon on Monday. “I said, ‘If you don’t want me to go, I won’t.’ But Ryan said, ‘I want you to go.’ That’s the kind of guy he is. He wanted me to stand up for the film,” he added.



Coogler and Stallone’s Creed co-star Michael B. Jordan did not receive any nomination while many thought he should have.

Stallone went on to say that it was only a “matter of time” that things would get better.

“Eventually, all talent will rise to the top. It’s a matter of getting a new paradigm, a new way of thinking. But I owe everything to these two young men,” he said.

A small group of protesters gathered outside the Monday luncheon and held the signs with #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th,  2016.

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