![The Weeknd, ‘Amy’ and Nina Simone Documentaries Among 2016 Oscar Nominees](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2016/01/weeknd_arms_outstretched.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
The Weeknd, ‘Amy’ and Nina Simone Documentaries Among 2016 Oscar Nominees
The 2016 Oscar nominees were announced today (Jan. 14), and let's just say we hope you like sequels because just like last year's ceremony, this year's Academy Awards won't exactly be a showcase in diversity. Nevertheless, the Weeknd and music documentaries about Amy Winehouse (Amy) and Nina Simone (What Happened, Miss Simone?) garnered nominations.
The nominee list features no non-white actors and very few in any other major categories. Fans were critical of the fact that the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, Netflix's movie Beasts of No Nation and the acclaimed Rocky sequel, Creed, were virtually shut out of the nominations. It looks like the only brown people onstage this year will be presenters and the host Chris Rock.
Lack of diversity aside, the Weeknd did grab a mention in the Original Song category for his chart-topping single, "Earned It" from the 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack. Music documentaries Amy by director Asif Kapadia and What Happened, Miss Simone? by filmmaker Liz Garbus both got nods in the Best Documentary Feature category.
We must mentioned that Straight Outta Compton did receive a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. But many were surprise of the snub since the film, directed by veteran filmmaker F. Gary Gray, received widespread critical acclaim and became the highest-grossing African-American film of all time. But neither Gray, nor stars - Jason Mitchell, O'Shea Jackson, Jr or Corey Hawkins - were acknowledged.
Ice Cube brush off the snub during an interview with TMZ. “We ain’t worried about it,” he said. "We good, though."
The 88th annual Academy Awards will air live at 8PM ET on ABC.
What do you think about this lack of diversity at this year's Academy Awards ceremony? Tell us in the comments below.
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