Whoopi Goldberg Defends Greta Gerwig’s Oscar ‘Snub’ on ‘The View’
The recent Academy Awards nominations have sparked controversy and heated debates among film enthusiasts and critics. One particular topic of discussion is the perceived “snub” of director Greta Gerwig in the Best Director category for her work on the blockbuster film “Barbie.” However, not everyone agrees with this sentiment, including Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC’s “The View.”
During a recent episode of the popular talk show, Goldberg addressed the claims of Gerwig’s snub and expressed her disagreement with the notion. She firmly stated, “Well, but they’re not snubs. And that’s what I want to sort of point out.” Goldberg went on to explain that not everyone can win, and it is essential to remember that the Academy Awards are determined by the entire family of voters, not just the so-called “Hollywood elites.”
Goldberg, an “EGOT” winner herself, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, emphasized that there are typically seven to ten nominations in each category, and not all deserving films or individuals can be recognized. She stated, “There are no snubs, and that’s what you have to keep in mind: Not everybody gets a prize. The movies you love may not be loved by the people who are voting.”
The controversy surrounding Gerwig’s omission from the Best Director category is further fueled by the fact that “Barbie” received eight nominations in total. While Gerwig and lead actress Margot Robbie were not nominated in their respective categories, they did receive recognition for their work in writing and producing the film. “Barbie” also secured nominations for best picture, best adapted screenplay, best supporting actress, best supporting actor, costume design, and production design.
The perceived snubs of Gerwig and Robbie have led to accusations of sexism within the industry, particularly considering that “Barbie” explores themes of feminism and the patriarchy. Many critics and social media users expressed disappointment over the exclusion of the film from the best director category. Even Congressman Joaquin Castro weighed in on the matter, accusing the Academy Awards of sexism. He tweeted, “Hollywood still has a big problem with women. In 2022, women made up 11% of directors (of top 250 grossing films). So in 2023 Greta Gerwig: 1. Directs Barbie, year’s highest-grossing film at $1.4B; 2. Provides coattails to Oppenheimer ($1B); 3. Saves [Warner Bros. Discovery’s] disastrous year.”
Castro concluded his tweet by questioning how Gerwig could direct the biggest hit of the year and not receive an Oscar nomination for best director, suggesting that being a female director in Hollywood may be a contributing factor.
While the debate over Gerwig’s “snub” continues to rage on, Goldberg’s perspective offers a reminder that the Academy Awards are subjective and that not everyone can be recognized. The nominations and subsequent awards are determined by a diverse group of voters with varying tastes and preferences. As Goldberg aptly put it, “Not everybody gets a prize.”