Esteemed author Stephen King has urged the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel the 97th annual Oscars ceremony in response to the devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles.
As reported by Deadline, King announced he wouldn't be participating in this year's awards voting and believes the ceremony should be cancelled entirely, citing the lack of celebratory atmosphere amidst the ongoing crisis. The fires, which began on January 7th, have tragically claimed at least 27 lives and continue to burn.
"Not voting in the Oscars this year," King stated in a Bluesky post. "In my honest opinion, they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire."
The voting period was extended to January 17th, with the nominations announcement rescheduled for January 23rd. However, the 97th Oscars ceremony remains scheduled for March 2nd.
"We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang stated in a press release announcing the schedule changes. "The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship."
