This is reportedly the second time Volodymyr Zelensky has tried and failed to air at the Oscars. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to speak at the 2023 Oscars was reportedly turned down by Oscar organizers and executives.
As Variety reported Thursday, the 45-year-old comedian-turned-politician, who was reportedly eyeing a virtual guest appearance at this Sunday’s 95th Academy Awards, was declined.
The 2023 Oscars are scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 12th.
Ukraine’s President Fails to Speak
The report also noted that this is the second year in a row that the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has applied and failed to speak at the Oscars.
Since Russia first invaded Ukraine last February, Zelensky has made high-profile speeches at award ceremonies like the 2022 Grammy Awards and January’s Golden Globe Awards.
2023 Oscar
The 2023 Oscars will take place on March 12th at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This is the second year in a row that Zelensky has been turned down to speak at the Oscars.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s team hired Mike Simpson, his agent at William Morris, his agency’s top Endeavor, to convince the Ukrainian president to address the event at film festivals and award ceremonies.
Declined to Zelensky
“Over the past year, Volodymyr Zelensky has been welcomed with open arms at award ceremonies, film festivals, and even the New York Stock Exchange.
But when it comes to stealing airtime from the most coveted TV show, the Academy Awards, the Ukrainian leader shrugs.
For the second year in a row, the Academy snubbed Volodymyr Zelensky, who had hoped to appear (remotely) in a virtual spot on Sunday’s Oscar show on ABC at the Berlin Film Festival last month.
Mike Simpson asked the Academy to accept the comedian-turned-actor politician, but it was closed. The Academy declined to comment,” said a report published by Variety.
Russia – Ukraine War Impact?
Ukraine and Russia have been at war for over a year. Russia took Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has ruled it ever since.
The war began after Russia felt spurred on by the Western powers’ tendency for Ukraine to join NATO, a largely anti-Russian coalition.
It is done in Ukraine with strong Western support, but that support is waning. Ukraine suffered heavy losses, both in personnel and territory.
Last February, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in an ongoing conflict that dates back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, a region of Ukraine.
Since then, thousands of soldiers and civilians have died, and many Ukrainians have been forced from their homes. Last year, Zelensky’s team tried to get him into the Oscars but failed.
Sean Penn, an actor, and friend of Zelensky’s had called for a boycott of the 2022 Oscars if Zelensky was not allowed to speak. As a token of appreciation, he gave him two Oscars of his own and asked him to bring them back to Malibu (Penn’s hometown) if Ukraine won.
Why did the Academy Reject Zelensky’s Appearance?
The Academy traditionally eschews politics and prefers to focus on the contributions of the filmmaking community. Zelensky also did not screen at the Toronto Film Festival, but the festival stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and is proud to showcase the work of Ukrainian filmmakers.
The Academy is not the only organization to reject Zelensky’s application. He was also denied an opportunity to speak at the Toronto Film Festival in September.
According to a spokesperson quoted by the magazine, the festival “does not comment on discussions with senior officials, government officials, or international embassies.”
The festival “is proud to stand in solidarity with Ukrainians at home and abroad and to showcase the depth and creativity of Ukrainian filmmakers at this year’s festival.”
Volodymyr Zelensky Reaction
In January, Volodymyr Zelensky made a virtual appearance at the annual Golden Globes ceremony, chanting “World War III will not happen” as the tide is turning in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
Let’s go,” he said.
“World War I claimed millions of lives. World War II claimed tens of millions of them. No World War III, no trilogy,” he said. “Now he is in 2023. The war in Ukraine is not over yet, but the tide is turning. It is already clear who will win,” Zelensky added.
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