Scandalous Moments from Award Shows That Rocked the Industry

#33: Only White Nominees Controversy

When: 87th Academy Awards, 2015

In 2015, the nominations exclusively favored white actors, sparking the viral hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, coined by Twitter user April Reign. But the Academy’s track record stretches back decades, with instances like Luise Rainer’s controversial win in 1938 for portraying a Chinese character in The Good Earth.

It took a staggering 74 years for Halle Berry to break barriers as the first Black woman to claim Best Actress, a milestone yet to be repeated. The hashtag reignited conversations about the Academy’s historical exclusion, prompting efforts toward diversity. While progress is slow, this year’s nods suggest a shift, particularly with Michelle Yeoh potentially making history as Best Actress.