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#OscarsSoWhite diversity discussion breaks for lunch

Cheryl Boone Isaacs never mentioned the word "diversity" during her opening address Monday at the annual Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon.

<p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs (left) and actor Leonardo DiCaprio attend Monday's Academy Awards luncheon.</span></p>

LOS ANGELES — Cheryl Boone Isaacs never mentioned the word "diversity" during her opening address Monday at the annual Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon.

But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president addressed the #OscarsSoWhite controversy that has overshadowed the 88th awards, even during a celebratory luncheon.

"This year, we all know, there is an elephant in the room — I have asked the elephant to leave," Boone Isaacs told the room filled with 150 Oscar nominees from 24 categories. "Today is all about all of your incredible work."

The awards luncheon has been a Hollywood staple for 35 years, bringing the nominees together for lunch, a class photo and instructions before Oscar night (Feb. 28).

"This is a tradition about camaraderie," said Boone Isaacs, looking over an audience which included luminaries such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Sylvester Stallone, Mark Ruffalo, Eddie Redmayne, Steven Spielberg and George Miller.

This year's awards show has provoked a firestorm of criticism since January's Oscar nominations, which featured no actor of color for the second year in a row. Director Spike Lee and actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith announced they would not attend the Oscar ceremony before the Academy announced changes aimed at doubling female and minority members by 2020.

Backstage at the luncheon, Creed supporting actor nominee Stallone said he considered not attending the Oscars because his African-American co-star Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler weren't nominated.

But Stallone said Monday that Coogler told him to "go there and represent the film." The industry will have to change to allow different stories to be told, the actor said.

"Certainly, there’s a universal law of existence, you either adapt or cease to exist," said Stallone. "I do believe things will change — it’s a matter of time. Eventually, all talent will rise to the top. It’s just a matter of getting a new way of thinking."

Rooney Mara, nominated for her performance in the lesbian love story Carol, said the diversity discussion needs to represent all walks of life. She pointed out that there could be an #OscarsSoStraight hashtag for the lack of diverse relationships depicted onscreen.

"These are all important conversations for us to be having," said Mara.

Show producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin unveiled their plan to keep Oscar speeches to the mandatory 45 seconds. A "thank you" scroll at the bottom of the screen will list people that winners wish to acknowledge, allowing for more meaningful speeches. Those thanked in the scroll will have "a permanent record of your gratitude," Hill added, and screen grabs can be "framed and kept in the family forever."

Hudlin promised an "exciting, entertaining and unpredictable show," helmed by "world-class host" Chris Rock, who was not in attendance at the luncheon.

"This show will honor and celebrate your movies and all of your achievements," said Hudlin.

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