The Oscars 2025 ceremony was held in Los Angeles on Monday, and Elon Musk is not happy. As per the tech mogul, best film and actors should be awarded based on merit, instead of diversity quotas.
The SpaceX and Tesla CEO said that nominations in categories like Best Picture and acting should not be influenced by diversity quotas.
The Oscars 2025 ceremony was held in Los Angeles on Monday, and Elon Musk is not happy. As per the tech mogul, best film and actors should be awarded based on merit, instead of diversity quotas.
Musk took to X and slammed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their "Representation and Inclusion Standards". The SpaceX and Tesla CEO said that nominations in categories like Best Picture and acting should not be influenced by diversity quotas.
"This is messed up. Should just be who is best, not best with an asterisk!" Musk wrote on X.
The Academy introduced the "Representation and Inclusion Standards" in 2020 with the aim of promoting equitable representation in Hollywood.
Under this, Hollywood films would have to include cast and crew members from underrepresented racial, ethnic, gender, and disability groups to be eligible for the Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards.
This initiative essentially pushed for more diversity on and offscreen in the industry.
As per the official guidelines, at least one of the lead actors or supporting actors in a Best Picture nominated from an unrepresented racial or ethnic group. These groups include African American, Hispanic, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Furthermore, for ensemble casts, at least 30 percent of the actors in secondary or minor roles must be from two underrepresented groups, including women, LGBTQ community and cognitive or physical disabilities.