Elon Musk isn’t holding back when it comes to his opinion on the Academy Awards’ diversity and inclusion requirements.
The billionaire entrepreneur has slammed the Oscars’ nomination rules, calling them unfair and restrictive.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences now requires films to meet at least one of several inclusion criteria to be eligible for Best Picture.
These rules focus on ensuring representation in Hollywood, such as having a lead actor from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, a supporting cast with at least 30% diverse representation, or a storyline centered around marginalized communities.
Some critics argue that these guidelines prioritize identity over artistic excellence, and Musk is among those voicing strong opposition.
Musk’s Reaction: “This Is Messed Up”
Musk, a longtime critic of diversity mandates, took to his social media platform, X, to express his frustration. Retweeting a post outlining the Academy’s policies, he wrote:
“This is messed up. Should just be who is best, not best with an asterisk!”
His comments sparked a heated debate online, with many social media users agreeing that the Oscars should focus purely on merit.
Some even suggested that recent Oscar winners should come with an asterisk to indicate that they were chosen under these new inclusion-based rules.
The Origins of the Diversity Standards
The Academy introduced these eligibility requirements in 2020 following nationwide protests against racial injustice.
The initiative was meant to encourage greater representation both on-screen and behind the scenes.
According to the Academy, these rules were implemented to ensure that the industry reflects the diversity of the global population.
However, critics argue that these mandates exclude certain films from consideration, regardless of their quality or impact.
Filmmakers and Fans Push Back
Many in the industry, including filmmakers and audiences, believe that the rules limit artistic freedom.
One high-profile example is the biopic Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid, which did not meet the Academy’s inclusion criteria and was therefore ineligible for Best Picture.
Screenwriter Howard A. Klausner criticized the policy, pointing out that many classic Best Picture winners—such as The Godfather, Rocky, and Patton—would not have qualified under today’s rules.
He noted that Reagan was just one of 116 films disqualified this year alone, prompting calls for a reevaluation of the policy.
The 2025 Oscars: A Shift in Hollywood?
This year’s Best Picture award went to Anora, a film about a New York sex worker who finds herself in an unexpected marriage with a wealthy Russian client.
The film dominated the ceremony, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.
Despite the success of films like Anora, the ongoing debate over diversity rules suggests that Hollywood is at a crossroads.
Will the Academy stand firm on its inclusion policies, or will the backlash lead to a shift in how the Oscars recognize excellence? The conversation is far from over.