Tyrese Gibson and 50 Cent have asked Chris Rock to turn down his hosting duties for Oscars 2016 through social media last Wednesday. With this, pressure is definitely building on Rock whether to join the Oscars boycott in response to the #OscarsSoWhite issue.
According to Time, the actor and the hip hop artist took their frustration and disappointment to Instagram with regard the lack of diversity in all four acting categories of Academy Awards this year. Jada Pinkett-Smith and Spike Lee already announced that they will not be attending the ceremony on Febuary 28, to which other black personalities are also urging Rock to do the same.
In his Instagram account, 50 Cent posted a photo of Rock with the caption, "You mean a lot man, don't do it. Please." As for Gibson, he posted a screenshot of articles questioning if Rock will still continue to be the host despite the controversy.
"There is no way for him to seize the moment and come into this thing and say, 'I'm going to say this and say that I'm going to address the issue but then I'm still going to keep my gig as the host," Gibson added. USA Today further reported that for him, the only way for the black comedian to make a statement is to step down as host of the show.
Gibson even reposted both messages of Lee and Pinkett-Smith, saying that he stands by and supports the actress regarding her decision to boycott Oscars, Hollywood Reporter stated. In addition, he put the situation in a different context, saying that if it were homosexuals and gays left out of all acting categories in the Academy Awards, and if Rock is a homosexual, he would have already stepped down.
"This is the way you affect change," Gibson emphasized.
As for Rock, he hasn't given any statement towards the Oscars boycott. He did take it to social media, however, regarding only white actors being nominated, calling the Academy Awards "The White BET Awards."
