Every year, Oscars nominees gather for a luncheon in Los Angeles. This year’s Nominees Luncheon saw the attendance of A-list actors Natalie Portman, Viola Davis, Michelle Williams, Matt Damon, Octavia Spencer, Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Emma Stone and more!
Check out the celebrity red carpet photos on People.com.
Academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, toasted to the year’s collective achievement and stressed the importance of diversity in the industry following the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.
“You may notice a few empty seats here today,” she said. “Art has no borders and doesn’t belong to a single faith. Strong societies don’t censor art, they celebrate it. America should always be not a barrier but a beacon. All creative artists around the world are connected. Our work does not stop at borders, and borders cannot stop any of us”.
Her words referenced President Donald Trump’s recent immigration ban, which actually threatens the attendance of several of the nominees to this year’s ceremony. 165 nominees were expected to join the luncheon.
Comedian and television host, Jimmy Kimmel, will return to host the 89th Academy Awards, which will be broadcast live on ABC at 8.30 PM ET on Sunday, February 26.
#Peace.Love.Oscars
