Jada Pinkett Smith Suggests Boycotting Oscars as Host Chris Rock Calls the Show the ‘White BET Awards’

Will Jada Pinkett Smith be a no-show at the Oscars? The actress took to social media on Saturday, January 16, to express her frustration over the lack of diversity among this year’s Academy Awards nominees.

In a series of tweets, Smith, 44, called out the fact that there were no black actors nominated in the top categories when the nominees were announced on Thursday, January 14.

“At the Oscars . . . people of color are always welcomed to give out awards . . . even entertain, but we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments,” Smith wrote. “Should people of color refrain from participating all together?”

She added, “People can only treat us in the way in which we allow. With much respect in the midst of deep disappointment, J.”

For the second year in a row, there were no black performers nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor or Best Supporting Actress. The announcement of the nominees was followed by immediate backlash on Twitter, including the use of the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.

Among the snubs was Smith’s husband Will Smith, who was a likely contender for Best Actor for his role in Concussion. Smith, who was nominated for a Golden Globe this year for the film, was previously nominated for an Oscar in 2001 and 2006.

This year’s Oscars host, Chris Rock, also referenced the lack of diversity on Twitter, posting a 15-second promo clip on Friday, January 15, with the caption, “The #Oscars. The White BET Awards.”