Photo of Will Smith by Jason Merritt
Days after his wife Jada Pinkett Smith revealed she won't be attending this year's Academy Awards, husband Will Smith says he won't be there either.
The actor, who generated Oscar buzz for his role in Concussion, said in an interview with Good Morning America that he feels "uncomfortable" after the Academy for the second consecutive year has nominated all white actors.
While he praised his peers who received nods, he also cautioned that "if we’re not a part of the solution, we’re part of the problem," noting: "When I see this list and series of nominations that come out—and everybody is fantastic. That’s the complexity of this issue … But it feels like it’s going in the wrong direction.”
Describing his decision as being "so deeply not about me," Smith said he was concerned about "children that are going to sit down and watch this show and they’re not going to see themselves represented."
Smith's response follows growing criticism over the lack of diversity in this year's Oscars nominations. The likes of Spike Lee, Idris Elba and David Oyelowo, George Clooney and Lupita Nyong’o are among those who have spoken out.
The 88th Academy Awards, hosted by Chris Rock, are set for Feb. 28 on ABC.