Sylvester Stallone Almost Boycotted Oscars Ceremony
Like his on-screen persona, Rocky, Sylvester Stallone is ready to fight — for diversity.
The 69-year-old "Creed" actor, who is nominated in the supporting category at the Oscars this year, told reporters at yesterday's Academy Awards luncheon that he was ready to boycott the ceremony. This year's awards have been mired in controversy over the lack of nominees of color, and generated the #OscarsSoWhite social media campaign. Stallone considered boycotting in solidarity with "Creed" director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan, neither of whom were nominated.
"I remember 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,'" he said.
"I said, 'If you want me to go, I'll go. If you don't, I won't.' "He said, 'No, I want you to go.' That's the kind of guy he is. He wants us to go and represent the film."
Stallone heaped praise on both Coogler and Jordan, despite having neglected to thank them when he won a Golden Globe. He won't be forgetting them again anytime soon.
"Michael Jordan, every time I looked in his eyes as an actor, I said, he was making me better," Stallone raved. "I think he should've been given a lot more respect and attention."
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