March 3, 2025: The 2025 Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, were met with a harsh critique from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Musk expressed his dissatisfaction with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Representation and Inclusion Standards” and their impact on the Oscar nominations.
Musk, known for his outspoken opinions on various matters, took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam the Academy for what he called a shift from merit-based nominations to those influenced by diversity quotas. The business magnate emphasized that nominations, particularly in prestigious categories like Best Picture and Best Actor, should be determined purely by the quality of the work and the performance, rather than diversity requirements.
“This is messed up. Should just be who is best, not best with an asterisk!” Musk wrote on X.
The Academy’s “Representation and Inclusion Standards,” which were introduced in 2020, are intended to ensure that films reflect more equitable representation across racial, ethnic, gender, and disability lines. The guidelines include criteria that films must meet in order to qualify for Best Picture nominations, including diverse cast and crew representation.
For example, at least one of the lead actors or significant supporting actors must be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, including communities such as African American, Hispanic, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, and Pacific Islander. Additionally, ensemble casts must feature at least 30% of actors in secondary or minor roles from at least two underrepresented groups, including women, the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities.
While these inclusion standards are aimed at increasing diversity in Hollywood, critics, including Musk, argue that the Oscars should focus on recognizing talent regardless of diversity quotas.
Meanwhile, the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday saw Anora, a dramedy directed by Sean Baker, dominate the evening with five Oscar wins, including Best Picture. Baker himself became the first person in Oscar history to win four awards for a single film, as he earned Oscars for producing, directing, editing, and writing the screenplay for Anora.
The film, which tells the story of a sex worker who marries the pampered son of a Russian oligarch, also earned top acting honors. Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his portrayal of a troubled architect in The Brutalist, and Mikey Madison received the Best Actress award for her performance as an exotic dancer under pressure to get an annulment from her rich husband.
While the Academy continues to promote inclusion, Musk’s comments have reignited the debate on whether diversity quotas are undermining the merit-based recognition that the Oscars have long been known for.