Neil Patrick Harris mocks Oscars judging panel: 'Tonight we celebrate Hollywood's whitest'

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Neil Patrick Harris has started the 87th Academy Awards as he clearly intends to go on.

Taking to the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the Gone Girl actor opened the ceremony by slating the vast majority of the ceremony’s attendees.

Harris has touched a nerve on what has become one of the most talked about issues of this year’s Oscars.

The 87th Academy Awards have been called the “whitest Oscars” since 1998 after the Academy failed to nominate a single black or Asian actor in its four acting categories.

The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite was trending before the awards as Twitter users posted to say they would be boycotting watching the ceremony on TV.

Of the 6,000 people who get to vote in the Oscars judging panel, 93 per cent are white, 70 per cent are male and the average age is 63.