Just four days ahead of the 88th Academy Awards, Black Hollywood came together last night (Feb. 24) at the All Def Movie Awards to celebrate the African American talent that will definitely be missing at the famed ceremony.
Dubbed the “Black Oscars,” the All Def Movie Awards saw Ice Cube win big for Most Quoted Movie for Friday, Best Black Survivor in a Movie with Anaconda while Straight Outta Compton won for Best Picture. Other winners included Will Smith, who won a Lifetime Achievement award, Michael B. Jordan, who took home a trophy for Best Actor in Creed, and Amber Rose, who struck gold for being the Most Likely to Steal Your Girl.
The Tony Rock-hosted show, which was the last minute production of Russell Simmons, took place at Lure Nightclub in Hollywood and according to the mogul, sought to bring the party, not protest in wake of heavy #OscarsSoWhite controversy.
“It’s not a protest. It’s a celebration, a celebration of people who otherwise would not be celebrated,” he said.
Tyrese, who attended the ceremony to “support” Simmons, told TMZ that the show was necessary because it called for the importance of equal opportunity in Hollywood.
“You put your time and energy into anything, we all, doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, Latin, Asian, gay, or straight, if you put that time and energy into your craft, we all deserve an opportunity to be honored and recognized for what we [brought] to the table,” he said.
The All Def Movie Awards will air Sunday (Feb. 28) at 7 p.m. on Fusion.