Leonardo DiCaprio is a favorite when it comes to the film industry. Not only has he been a part of some of the most respected projects of all time, but they have also helped him become one of the most influential individuals in the business. This has made him iconic when it comes to the Oscars, having been nominated more than a handful of times. This level of adoration and respect can often lead to partiality, at least what seems like.
This, along with the Academy’s history being dominated by white, male stars, has led to more than a few of his co-stars getting upset at the preferential treatment. One actor was specifically bothered by an instance when the Titanic actor was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for a film that he did not lead in.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Co-Star Was Upset At The Oscars
Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou starred together in the 2006 blockbuster film, Blood Diamond. This film was so critically well-received that it gained five nominations for the 79th Oscar Awards. What was a controversial decision at the hand of the Academy was the decision to nominate DiCaprio in the category of Best Actor, something purely given to an actor who gave an outstanding performance in a leading role.
The reason why this was a poor decision on their part was the fact that the character he was playing in the film, Danny Archer, was not the protagonist. On the other hand, Hounsou was nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actor, despite having the plot of the movie revolve around his character.
“I felt seriously cheated,” he says. “Today, we talk so much about the Oscars being so white, but I remember there was a time where I had no support at all: no support from my own people, no support from the media, from the industry itself. It felt like: ‘You should be happy that you’ve got nominated,’ and that’s that.”
Hounsou ended up speaking about this during an interview with The Guardian, talking about how the entire situation left him feeling ridiculous. He felt as though the Academy, which has a reputation for ‘being so white’, was taking away one of the biggest opportunities of his career, while at the same time, telling him to be grateful for what he had been given.
Is The Situation In Hollywood Still The Same For Djimon Hounsou?
This sort of behavior when it comes to race is not an isolated incident, as Djimon Hounsou also complained of only being able to play specific roles. He mentioned that in five years, he had played a slave three times. The actor has had a very rich career when it comes to the people and the films that he has worked in. From working with Zack Snyder, Ridley Scott, and Steven Spielberg, to playing alongside actors like Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, and Emily Blunt, he has certainly seen success with the projects he works in.
Despite this, the actor confessed that he finds it difficult to make ends meet, almost three decades into his career. He mentioned that this very fact has left him feeling like he is being cheated by the film industry and being unfairly treated while all his co-stars get to enjoy the glory that comes with this profession.
