In a stunning escalation of the ongoing culture wars gripping Hollywood, pop superstar Sam Smith has publicly called on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to issue a formal apology for maintaining strictly binary gender categories in its prestigious awards. The Grammy-winning artist, who came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns, argued that the Oscars’ longstanding Best Actor and Best Actress divisions exclude performers who do not identify strictly as male or female, effectively erasing their contributions from the industry’s highest honor.
The demand came in a fiery social media post late last night, where Smith wrote, “It’s 2026, and the Academy still pretends only two genders exist on screen. Non-binary talent pours heart and soul into performances every year, yet there’s no space for us at the table. An apology is the bare minimum. Recognition and a dedicated category must follow.” The statement quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and igniting a firestorm of reactions across social platforms and industry circles.
Within hours, dozens of prominent actors and filmmakers rushed to criticize Smith’s position, accusing the singer of overreach and misunderstanding the fundamental nature of acting awards. Veteran actor Mark Wahlberg was among the first to respond, tweeting, “Awards are about performance excellence, not identity politics. If you’re great, you’ll win regardless. This isn’t about inclusion—it’s about division.” Wahlberg’s comment set off a chain reaction, with many echoing similar sentiments.
Chris Pratt, known for his roles in blockbuster franchises, weighed in during an Instagram Live session: “Hollywood already bends over backward for every cause. Now we need separate categories because someone feels left out? What’s next—a category for left-handed actors? This dilutes the art form.” Pratt’s remarks drew applause from conservative commentators but sharp rebukes from progressive voices online.=
Even some actors typically aligned with progressive causes expressed reservations. Matt Damon, in a brief statement to Variety, said, “I respect Sam’s journey and the broader conversation around identity, but the Oscars categories have always reflected the binary reality of how roles are cast and performed. Creating new divisions could fragment recognition rather than expand it.” Damon’s measured tone contrasted with more blunt reactions from others.
Clint Eastwood, the legendary director and actor, reportedly told friends off the record that the demand was “ridiculous,” adding, “Next they’ll want categories for height, weight, or eye color. Acting is acting.” While not publicly posted, the comment leaked and fueled memes across X (formerly Twitter), many mocking Smith’s position with exaggerated headlines about future “non-binary best grip” awards.
The backlash wasn’t limited to older generations. Younger stars also chimed in. Timothée Chalamet, often praised for his boundary-pushing roles, posted a cryptic Instagram story: “Talent transcends labels. Let’s keep the focus on the work.” Though subtle, many interpreted it as a gentle rebuke. Meanwhile, Zendaya—a vocal advocate for inclusivity—remained silent, prompting speculation about internal divisions within the younger Hollywood set.
Industry insiders point out that the Oscars have resisted major structural changes to gender categories for decades. Unlike the BRIT Awards, which shifted to gender-neutral formats in 2022 following advocacy from artists like Smith, the Academy has maintained its traditional Best Actor/Best Actress split. Proponents argue that separate categories highlight excellence in distinctly gendered roles, where casting often reflects societal norms. Critics of Smith’s demand, including several Academy voters speaking anonymously, claim a non-binary category would create logistical nightmares and potentially marginalize performers further by segregating them.
Smith’s history with awards shows adds layers to the controversy. The artist previously championed gender-neutral categories in music, helping influence changes at the BRITs. However, they later expressed concern when those shifts led to all-male nominations in major categories, calling it “a shame” in interviews. Some detractors now accuse Smith of inconsistency—pushing for neutrality in one arena while demanding separation in another.
Social media exploded with memes and hot takes. One viral post read: “Sam Smith wants an apology from the Oscars for not inventing a third gender category. Meanwhile, the Academy is like, ‘We barely survived adding streaming eligibility.'” Conservative outlets framed the story as evidence of “woke overreach,” while progressive commentators defended Smith’s right to advocate, though some privately admitted the timing felt off amid other pressing industry issues like labor disputes and AI concerns.
As the dust settles, the Academy has yet to issue an official response. Sources close to the organization suggest no immediate plans to alter categories, with one executive noting, “We celebrate diversity through our membership and nominees, not by rewriting 100 years of tradition overnight.”
The episode underscores deepening fault lines in entertainment between those pushing for radical inclusivity and those defending merit-based, traditional structures. Whether Smith’s demand gains traction or fizzles amid the backlash remains unclear—but for now, the singer has succeeded in dominating headlines once again, proving that in Hollywood, even silence can be political.
