Laverne Cox, Steven Yeun, Andra Day among 395 new Academy members
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the addition of 395 new members from 50 countries on Thursday.
Among them are a diverse group of performers, from "Minari" stars Youn Yuh-jung, who won the Oscar for best supporting actress, and Steven Yeun to "Promising Young Woman" actress and activist Laverne Cox and singer-actress Andra Day, who was nominated last year for "The United States vs. Billie Holiday."
Other invitees included "Da 5 Bloods"' actors Jonathan Majors and Isiah Whitlock Jr.; "One Night in Miami" star Leslie Odom Jr.; "The Trial of the Chicago 7" actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II; and actress and producer Issa Rae.
The full list is posted on the Academy's website.
Ever since it was taken to task with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite in 2016, the Academy has made efforts to boost diversity in front of and behind the camera, as well as in its own ranks. In 2020, it announced that it instituted new standards for representation and inclusivity when considering films for Oscar nominations, including the esteemed best picture category.
In 2021, a record nine actors of color were nominated, including Yeun, the first Asian American to be nominated for best actor.
Last year was also the first time in Oscars history that white men were the minority in the best actor category.
