SAG-AFTRA confronted the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in a new statement released Monday, accusing the organization of using “extraordinary and unwarranted pressure” on guild member actors to sign on as exclusive presenters for this year’s Oscars while barring them from presenting at the upcoming SAG Awards.
“We have received multiple reports of these activities and have experienced firsthand the Academy’s graceless pressure tactics and attempts to control the awards show talent pipeline,” read the statement. “Awards season is a very special time when actors and actresses are being appropriately celebrated and recognized for the outstanding quality of their work. We would expect the Academy to honor these goals.”
The SAG Awards will be held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 27, while the Oscars will be held on February 24. The Oscars have not found a new host to replace Kevin Hart after he dropped out last month over homophobic tweets made several years ago.
“This self-serving intimidation of SAG-AFTRA members is meant to limit their opportunities to be seen and honor the work of their fellow artists throughout the season. Actors should be free to accept any offer to participate in industry celebrations,” the statement continued.
“The apparent attempt by the Academy to keep our members from presenting on their own awards show is utterly outrageous and unacceptable. The SAG Awards supports their union’s operations and important charitable assistance programs that provide valuable support to performers We call on the Academy to cease this inappropriate action.”
The Academy did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
2019 Oscar Contenders, From Rami Malek to Spike Lee to Glenn Close (Exclusive Photos)
Actor Rami Malek, "Bohemian Rhapsody"
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Actor Rami Malek, "Bohemian Rhapsody"
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Actress Yalitza Aparicio, "Roma"
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Stylist: Monica Cargile
Hair: Matilde Campos
Makeup: Brandy Allen
Actress Yalitza Aparicio, "Roma"
Photographed by Irvin Rivera for TheWrap
Stylist: Monica Cargile
Hair: Matilde Campos
Makeup: Brandy Allen
Actor Willem Dafoe, "At Eternity's Gate"
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Actor Willem Dafoe, "At Eternity's Gate"
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Actress KiKi Layne and director Barry Jenkins, "If Beale Street Could Talk"
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Actor John David Washington and director Spike Lee, "BlacKkKlansman"
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Director Spike Lee, "BlacKkKlansman"
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Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan, "Black Panther"
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Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan, "Black Panther"
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Actress Glenn Close, "The Wife"
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Rami Malek, "Bohemian Rhapsody"
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John David Washington, Spike Lee and Adam Driver, "Blackkklansman"
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Alfonso Cuarón, "Roma"
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Actresses Marina de Tavira and Yalitza Aparicio, "Roma"
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Writer-director Barry Jenkins, "If Beale Street Could Talk"
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Actress Regina King, "If Beale Street Could Talk"
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Actor-writer-director Bradley Cooper and actor Sam Elliott, "A Star is Born"
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Actress Olivia Colman, "The Favourite"
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Actors Richard E. Grant and Melissa McCarthy, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?"
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Director Peter Farrelly, stars Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali and Linda Cardellini, "Greenbook"
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Actor Mahershala Ali, "Green Book"
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Songwriter Diane Warren, “RBG”
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Composer Nicholas Britell, “If Beale Street Could Talk,
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Director Spike Lee, "BlacKkKlansman"
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Actress Yalitza Aparicio, "Roma"
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Marina de Tavira, "Roma"
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Songwriter Scott Wittman, "Mary Poppins Returns
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Composer-songwriter Marc Shaiman, "Mary Poppins Returns"
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Songwriter Sounwave, "Black Panther"
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Songwriters Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, "Mary Poppins Returns"
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Director Yorgos Lanthimos, "The Favourite"
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Willem Dafoe, Marhershala Ali, Regina King and more are nominees for this Sunday’s ceremony
