Equity is coming to the Oscars.

The Academy Awards have long received critique and backlash for their lack of effort to ensure diversity among its nominees. The criticism of these practices dates back to its first show in 1929. Since then, only 6.4% of academy award nominees have been people of color. Since 1991, only 11.2% of the academy’s nominees have been people of color. What’s worse, according to research, white actors have managed to build their careers on winning Oscars for roles in which they played the parts of POC. In fact, more women who are white have won Oscars for brownface and yellowface portrayals of women of color than actual actresses of color.

This year, the Academy is finally making an effort to change.

On Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced they made new eligibility requirements for the top prize at the Oscars.

Under the new guidelines for the ceremony’s Best Picture award, films are required to meet two out of four standards. They are: “on-screen representation, themes and narratives; creative leadership and project team; industry access and opportunities; and audience development.”

“We believe these inclusion standards will be a catalyst for long-lasting, essential change in our industry,” the Academy said in a statement.

The new changes will be required in the Best Picture category starting with the 96th Academy Award which will air in 2024.

“The aperture must widen to reflect our diverse global population in both the creation of motion pictures and in the audiences who connect with them. The Academy is committed to playing a vital role in helping make this a reality,” Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said in a joint statement.

The academy’s newest requirements outline that “films must have at least one of the lead actors or significant supporting actors represent an underrepresented racial group, with at least 30 percent of all actors in minor roles from underrepresented groups.”

It gets better though! The show will require those submitting projects to ensure diversity and inclusion behind the camera as well. The academy is also encouraging projects to ensure women who are either part of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, and part of the LGBTQ+ community as well as people with disabilities.

Here’s to a better award show!

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Premios Juventud 2020 is not going virtual, like most other major events. Instead, the awards show is going to be held in-person but with a virtual audience. Here’s who you can expect to take the stage this year.

The Premios Juventud 2020 is going on as planned, just with a virtual audience.

🏆 | “Me Gusta” by Shakira & Anuel AA has been nominated for the ‘OMG Collaboration’ category at the Premios Juventud 2020.

The show will broadcast live from Miami on August 13. However, artists will perform at the venue with a virtual audience.

Vote: https://t.co/cHf0LFLZOF pic.twitter.com/UGvIBEk4ts

— shakirastuff (@shakirastuff_) July 7, 2020

The awards show is celebrating its 20th year this year and the show is going on. The show is being aired from Miami, one of the worst-hit areas in the country for Covid-19, but the show promises to follow all safety standards based on local health guidelines. Here are some of the people you can expect to perform.

Natanael Cana

Cana will be giving corridos tumbados some massive exposure at the awards show. The genre of music is an exciting mix of corridos with trap and urban influences. The sound is something else and fans are excited to see the genre given some love on the stage.

CNCO

The boy band CNCO has become a beloved addition to Latin music. The group was formed after the first season of “La Banda,” a music competition show looking for the hottest new sound. Safe to say that the show’s judges did a good job putting this group together.

Rafa Pabön

Pabön is a major voice of Conciencia Collective and Black Lives Matter. The musician released a song called “Sine Aire” after the George Floyd protests that brought Black Lives Matter to the forefront of American culture. Conciencia Collective hosts weekly talks with We Are Mitú promoting advocacy in the music industry.

And, of course, host Sebastián Yatra.

Yatra will be joined on stage with Danna Paola to perform their duet “No Bailes Sola.” The awards show will definitely be a nice escape from our collective Covid reality. There might not be any fans at the show but the performers are all ready to give a great show to the virtual audience.

READ: A Growing Number Of Celebs Have Tested Positive For Covid-19, Reminding Us All We’re Still In The Middle Of A Pandemic

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