Irrespective of high-profile virtual appearances on award-shows including The Grammys, and Golden Globes, the Oscars are having none of it, rejecting Zelensky's requests twice.
Oscars Reject Ukraine President Zelensky
When he's not busy planning his country's next defensive against archenemy and Russian President, Vladimir Putin, 70, Ukrainian comedian-turned-politician, President Volodymyr Zelensky, 45, is likely negotiating with Hollywood plugs to request a guest appearance at awards-shows; and other momentous events often meeting him with open arms.
Even with symbolic virtual appearances at major occasions including last year's (2022) Cannes Film Festival - commonly seen wearing martial clothing consisting of an olive-green sweatshirt (entailing a Ukrainian trident on the chest), cargo bottoms, and boots - he's not worthy at Sunday's 95th Academy Awards... making it his second rejection by the Oscars.
Industry snitches told Variety that WME (William Morris Endeavor) power agent, Mike Simpson, "made a plea to the Academy to include the comedic actor-turned-politician but was shut down". It was later learned that the Academy declined to comment after presenting a cold shoulder to Zelensky... but perhaps there's a lot more to it than what MSM (mainstream media) is sharing.
Why Did The Oscars Reject President Zelensky?
We'd naturally think that (some) Americans have had enough of providing assistance to Ukraine, which includes humanitarian, financial, and military support, equating to more than $75 billion, but what's that got to do with the Oscars? Maybe nothing, but the Oscars did want "to remain apolitical" (distant from politics).
Not everyone in filmmaking community admires giving President Zelensky the spotlight, as reporter Tatiana Siegel learned directly from "Hollywood's woke retreat" (The Cannes Film Festival), claiming Zelensky wanted to appear, but they (the Academy) vetoed the idea. "They said, no. They wanted to remain apolitical," according to The Ankler.
In addition to last year's rejection, Will Packer (an Oscars producer) is said to have nixed a Zelensky appearance after expressing concerns surrounding Hollywood's unhealthy ways of showering attention towards Ukraine "because those affected by the conflict are white" arguing, "Hollywood has ignored wars around the globe that impact people of colour."
This year's Oscar swerve for Zelensky hasn't been officially announced or publicly shared by sources close to the award-show however, we'd think it relates to the Academy's right to remain neutral, or distanced from matters that aren't associated with the big screen.
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