Oscars 2016 'class photo' featuring Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence released amidst the #OscarsSoWhite controversy
Cheryl Boone Isaacs said at the lunch: 'This year there is an elephant in the room'
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Your support makes all the difference.Every year, the Oscar nominees get together to have lunch at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and every year a ‘class photo’ is taken.
Attending the 2016 luncheon were the likes of Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Bryan Cranston and Brie Larson, all of whom put on a smile for the camera.
It’s safe to say the net worth of everyone in that room would have been exceedingly high. Check out the photo - which also features directors Ridley Scott, Alejandro G Iñárritu and Steven Spielberg - above and see how many celebrities you can spot.
Of course, if you’ve been following the Oscars this year, you will know about the #OscarsSoWhite controversy which has seen actors from every stage in their career speak out about the lack of diversity among nominees.
Will Smith, Spike Lee and Reese Witherspoon have spoken out against the Academy, with Cheryl Boone Isaacs - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president - calling for reforms to its membership.
At the lunch, Isaacs attempted to move on from the controversy, saying “This year there is an elephant in the room. I have asked the elephant to leave.”
As you can see, the ‘class photo’ above illustrates the lack of diversity among nominees, with white faces dominating.
It has been argued that the Oscars should not nominate because of race but because of talent, yet the likes of Idris Elba won big at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, leading many to wonder why his phenomenal performance in Beasts of No Nation was not nominated for an Oscar.
Host Chris Rock has spoken about changing his opening speech to reflect the controversy. In other Oscar news, it has been revealed what will be in the nominees $200,000 gift bag, find out here.
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