Here's why these celebrities DITCHED the Oscars

It’s the one time of the year when no celebrity wants to miss the most prestigious award show.

The Oscars are meant to recognise excellence in cinematic achievements within the film industry.

But not everyone has shown up. Here are the Hollywood stars who have boycotted or skipped the event:

Will Smith

The Bad Boys actor made the decision to boycott the 2016 ceremony due to the Oscars’ lack of diversity.

When asked about skipping the event, Will said, “So many different people from so many different places adding their ideas to this beautiful American gumbo.”

He added, “At its best, Hollywood represents and creates the imagery for that beauty. But for my part, I think I have to protect and fight for the ideals that make our country – and make our Hollywood community – great.”

It is pertinent to mention that the 2016 acting Oscar nominees were all white.

Eminem

The Without Me rapper skipped the 2003 Oscars because he didn't think he’d win the award for the Best Original Song and felt lonely in the buzzing world of Hollywood.

Instead of attending the awards show, Eminem was with his daughter, watching TV and sleeping.

Kendrick Lamar

The Not Like Us rapper was nowhere to be seen at the 2019 Oscars, where he and his frequent collaborator SZA’s Black Panther song All The Stars was nominated for Best Original Song.

According to Buzzfeed, Kendrick’s representative shared that his absence was due to “logistics and timing.”

Katharine Hepburn

The late American actress won the Oscar four times but did not attend the ceremony for any one of her wins, as she firmly believed her work was its own reward.

“My prize is my work,” she said at her first ceremony in 1974, where she appeared to present a memorial award.

Anthony Hopkins

Lastly, the Hannibal actor missed the 2021 Oscars ceremony because he was in his hometown of Wales, and considering his old age, he didn't plan on travelling to the ceremony’s hub due to the COVID-19 pandemic at the time.

For the unversed, the Academy refused his request to accept the award via a live call from his house, as they had a “no Zoom” policy that year.

Anthony then posted his acceptance speech for winning best actor for his role in The Father on Instagram the very next morning.

”The oldest acting Oscar-winner ever, 83-year-old Hopkins was asleep at home in Wales," he stated.