Oscars 2016: Chris Rock will not boycott event amid calls to step down as host over diversity row

Not stepping down: Chris Rock will not step down as Oscars host
Caroline McCredie/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Jennifer Ruby25 January 2016
The Weekender

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Chris Rock will not step down from his role as Oscars’ host, despite calls for him to boycott the event.

The comedian is still planning to take to the stage at the 2016 ceremony but has altered his opening monologue to reference the current diversity row.

Academy Awards producer Reginald Hudlin has said that the 50-year-old comic has scrapped his original speech to include jokes about the boycott.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, he said: “Chris is hard at work. He and his writing staff locked themselves in a room.

“As things got a little provocative and exciting, he said, 'I'm throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show.’”

Hudlin added: “Chris is that thorough. He's that brilliant, and I have 1000 percent confidence that he will deliver something that people will be talking about for weeks.

Oscar nominations 2016

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“You should expect [#OscarsSoWhite jokes]. And, yes, the Academy is ready for him to do that.

“They're excited about him doing that. They know that's what we need. They know that's what the public wants, and we deliver what the people want.”

A number of stars have chosen to boycott this year’s award ceremony over the lack of recognition for black actors.

Tyrese Gibson and 50 Cent called for Rock to step down as host on social media amid the row.

“Chris please do not do the oscars awards. You mean a lot man, don’t do it. Please,” 50 Cent wrote last week.

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