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Kate Winslet reveals she won't be boycotting the Oscars because it was 'an extraordinary year for women'

She added that she would not want to miss Leonardo DiCaprio possibly picking up his first Oscar

Jack Shepherd
Thursday 11 February 2016 05:42 EST
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Kate Winslet wants to protect her 17th-century home
Kate Winslet wants to protect her 17th-century home (Casey Curry/Invision/AP)

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Kate Winslet has revealed she won’t be boycotting this year’s Oscars, unlike Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith and Spike Lee who will not be attending due to the lack of diversity among nominees.

The 40-year-old actress described how 2015 was “an extraordinary year for women” and that by not going she would be “letting my side down”.

Winslet has nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for her role in Steve Jobs. She faces competition from Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight), Rooney Mara (Carol), Rachel McAdams (Spotlight) and Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)

She added that she could not be in attendance when “closest friend” and Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio presumably picks up the gong for best actor.

When speaking to the BBC at the launch of her new film Triple 9, Winslet said: "To be honest with you, it has been such an extraordinary year for women I'd feel like I was letting my side down if I didn't go.

"And also I feel very strongly that it may possibly be Leo's year. And he is my closest friend in the world and I just couldn't imagine not being there to support him. And I think those are reasons enough really to show my face."

This is the sixth time DiCaprio has been nominated for an Oscar, but he has yet to win one.

This year’s Oscars caused controversy when only white actors were nominated within the acting categories, leading to many actors speaking out against the academy and the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag to trend.

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs recently announced that changes will be made its membership, saying the Academy will be “taking dramatic steps to alter the makeup” of its membership over the coming weeks in an attempt to bring “much-needed diversity”.

“We recognise the very real concerns of our community,” she said. “And I so appreciate all of you who have reached out to me in our effort to move forward together.” Catch up on the latest Oscars news here.

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