SAG Awards honours actors of colour amid Oscar controversy

“Actually, between our show and Transparent, there’s an unprecedented number of trans actors nominated for SAG awards this year”.

SAG winners for individual performances the last three years have corresponded with eventual Academy Award winners.

The journalism drama Spotlight took home the main prize at the Screen Actors Guild awards, but the success of minority actors drew most attention. A highlight outside the ceremony, however, was a shot of Oscar favorite Leonardo DiCaprio vaping.

While the Academy Awards remain enveloped in a crisis over the diversity of its nominees, the 22nd annual SAG Awards on Saturday presented a stark antidote to the rancor that has overwhelmed Hollywood’s awards season.

The Jenji Kohan-created Netflix series set in a women’s prison then won best TV comedy for the second year in a row. “The Danish Girl” star Alicia Vikander bagged outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role.

“I hope that we wake up and realize that the old way of doing things is the old way of doing things, and it’s OK to evolve and change and grow”, Queen Latifah said backstage after winning a best actress award for her HBO movie “Bessie”.

Tremblay shared his cute snap with DiCaprio at the SAGs, and as stated, this wasn’t the first superstar the young actor has met throughout the awards and press junkets for Room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to diverse TV”, said Elba in his third trip on stage as a presenter, following his two wins.

The newspaper drama Spotlight won the best picture prize.

For the second straight year, Orange is the New Black doubled down, as Uzo Aduba repeated as best female in a comedy. “The Big Short’s” Christian Bale was nominated for best supporting actor.

OITNB also won for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series with one of the most diverse cast on television right now.

Kevin Spacey was named best drama actor for political thriller “House of Cards“, and British period drama “Downton Abbey” was named best drama ensemble.

“Even the night’s lifetime achievement honoree, the legendary Carol Burnett, recalled being told early in her career, “‘No, no, no, no – look.

Recalling the uphill battle she faced, Burnett remembered being warned that “comedy variety is a man’s game”. She reminded that “diversity is not a trending topic”. No matter what is going on in the business, I will find a way to practice my art. And all of the actors of color that I know don’t place limitations on themselves either’. “They won because the actors have craft, they have a level of excellence that reaches people – and we’re actors too. We always have and we always will”.