Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith have been extremely vocal about their disapproval of this year's Oscars nominations, in which the Academy shut out actors of color in its most prominent categories. Two days after nominations were announced, Jada filmed a video announcing she wouldn't be attending the ceremony, saying "it is time that people of color recognize how much power and influence we have amassed." Her husband backed her up in an ABC interview, saying he wouldn't be at the ceremony either. "If we're not part of the solution, we're part of the problem," he said by way of explanation.
And although some have criticized the Smiths for their boycott (cough Aunt Viv), Will is sticking to his guns. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Smith clarified his position. "The media sort of creates the 'us and them,' and for me there is no 'us and them,'" he said. "I’m a member of the Academy. For me it's more about putting my hand up and reminding the Hollywood community that we have to lead."
He also shared a piece of advice from his grandmother, because as we all know, grandmothers are the wisest among us: "As my grandmother says, if you lead with love and light, only good is going to come out of it." Will Smith's grandma, we salute you.
