Spike Lee Skips Oscars to Watch the Knicks Game
Lee skipped the Oscars to protest the lack of diversity among the nominees.
— -- Spike Lee kept his word and attended an NBA game Sunday night instead of going to the Academy Awards in Hollywood.
The director, who received an honorary Oscar last year, was courtside at Madison Square Garden in New York City to watch the New York Knicks play against the Miami Heat. Lee -- who dressed in a black tuxedo, kente cloth bow tie and gold shoes -- was accompanied by his wife of 23 years, Tonya Lewis Lee.
Lee initially announced his plans to attend the game back in January on "Good Morning America." On Sunday night, the director explained why.
"This is the second year in a row where there had been no people of color nominations in the acting category," he told WABC-TV. "That's why we're not there."
"We felt that we just didn't want to be there suggesting that we feel that everything is okay with the way it is," his wife added.
Still, the Lees had kind words to those who did attend, including Oscars host Chris Rock.
"We would say good luck to all the nominees -- this is hard work. Making films is hard work. Kudos to them," Lewis Lee said.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences responded quickly to the backlash received over the lack of diversity in nominees. Eight days after the nominations were announced in January, the Academy's board voted unanimously to increase the number of women and people of color in its membership by 2020.
Lee, a two-time Oscar nominee, recognized this progress.
"I think Hollywood has noticed. The Academy has noticed. They changed their rules overnight to get more diversity with women and people of color. It can't be ignored," he said.
The 88th Academy Awards were presented on Sunday night with "Spotlight" taking home the most coveted trophy for Best Picture.