Throughout awards show history, high-profile stars have been using the short seconds they are given during their acceptance speeches to touch upon the many political conflicts around the world as they open up on causes close to their heart.
Fans of the Academy Awards will remember when Hollywood legend Marlon Brando famously rejected his Best Actor award for The Godfather and sent Native American woman Sacheen Littlefeather to deliver a powerful speech on his behalf. While her heritage has come into question over the years, she used the opportunity to reveal his disapproval of the movie industry's treatment of Native Americans.
Two decades later, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins urged the US government to 'admit that HIV is not a crime' while Halle Berry used her Monster's Ball win to advocate for women of colour. Many heartfelt speeches were received with applause and cheers from the crowd, but a few causes - to this day - are considered controversial, scaring celebrities into brushing important topics under the rug in hopes of remaining neutral.
Since October 2023, after Hamas killed 1,195 people in Israel and took 251 people as hostages, A-listers have been too afraid to speak on Israel's deadly war against Palestinians, which has claimed almost 50,000 lives. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared last year that Israel's longstanding occupation of Palestinian territories is "unlawful" as they demanded the evacuation of all settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International also carried out an investigation where they concluded Israel "is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza". Despite the ICJ's rulings and multiple human rights organisations calling for ceasefires, declaring yourself as pro-Palestine as a famous person doesn't come without a certain level of risk.
However, there are still many stars who confidently reveal where they stand by wearing pins to awards shows. Examples include the likes of Nicola Coughlan, Ramy Youssef, Mark Ruffalo and Guy Pearce - who have been wearing their supportive pins on their outfits as they stepped out to attend glitzy Hollywood events.
At the premiere of The Brutalist in January, Guy was told about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire as a reporter referred to his Free Palestine badge. The Oscar nominee said: "Thankfully all those people in Gaza can go back to their homes and live freely like they did on October 6.
"I can't help but think about people who are less privileged whether they are people with disabilities or whether they are people under occupation, people who struggle with climate change. You know, I think it's important in this situation it's great to promote our movie, no question but I think it's also good to recognise everybody in the world particularly when things are so imbalanced."
Guy is also nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Brutalist at this Sunday's event. With such an esteemed ceremony, it wouldn't be a surprise if Guy used the massive stage to speak about topics close to his heart if he were to win Best Supporting Actor. PR expert Jane Hunt, who is the CEO and co-founder of JBH, said Guy's outspoken nature could 'encourage other celebrities to join the conversation'.
She said to the Mirror: "Guy Pearce is a prime example of the power of celebrity influence in the digital age because of his unwavering support for Palestine, which includes both wearing pro-Palestine badges and making vocal statements. Having spent many years working in the digital world, I have witnessed firsthand how these outward displays of kindness can spread significant messages on social media and in the press, having an impact that extends well beyond the red carpet.
“The upcoming Oscars present a unique opportunity for Pearce and others to leverage their global reach. If he were to win and speak about Palestine, it might break the silence that has been prevalent at recent award shows like the Golden Globes."
She went on to discuss about the impact of Guy's statements and unwavering support. “Such a moment would likely generate significant online engagement, trending hashtags, and spark broader conversations about the ongoing conflict," she said. "This digital buzz could encourage other celebrities, who may be hesitant due to potential backlash, to join the conversation.
"In today's connected world, a single powerful statement at a high-profile event can quickly transform into a worldwide movement, pressuring both the entertainment industry and policymakers to address critical issues."
On Saturday, Hamas said it has no intention of extending the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, with spokesperson Hazem Qassem revealing there were no ongoing talks to the second phase of the ceasefire. Israel joined discussions with mediators from Qatar and the US in Cairo earlier this week but nothing has come from the talks at this time.
In the first phase, Hamas handed over 33 Israeli hostages as well as five Thai nationals in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some of their positions in Gaza.
During the almost-two month long ceasefire, Israel has been accused of violating the deal a number of times. Most recently, Israel suspended much-needed humanitarian aid entry into Gaza as the first phase of the deal expired.
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