Rebel Wilson is funny. We know that. We also know that some things which make us laugh can be cruel, cut-throat or confronting. And while her speech at the 2016 BAFTA Awards on Sunday Night seemed to have the crowd in stitches, it also caused some internet backlash, over its race and transgender references.
Taking to the stage at London’s Royal Opera House to present the Best Supporting Actor award, Rebel took a swipe at the Oscars’ diversity issue and also made a comment about her “transgender face” before announcing the winner.
The Aussie comedian said, “It’s so great to be here at this really serious event. I have never been invited to the Oscars, because as you know they are racists, but the BAFTAs have diverse members and that’s what we all want to see in life… diverse members.”
In case you missed it, prominent actors like Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith have boycotted this year’s 2016 Oscars on February 28, in protest of the lack of racial diversity among nominees.
Rebel didn’t stop at the Oscars digs, though. “One day I hope to return here to collect a BAFTA myself. I have already been practicing my transgender face,” she continued, striking a sultry pose to the audience. Some were less than impressed with the call, bringing up the struggles that the transgender community face, such as suicidal thoughts.
Also “transgender face” brings up all kinds of garbage feelings about blackface, which Hollywood STILL does, so I’m doubly disgusted.
— Zoé S. (@ztsamudzi) February 14, 2016
The intersection of KNOWING trans women characters are Oscar fodder + being a first class asshole. https://t.co/8vYitEWmkJ
— Zoé S. (@ztsamudzi) February 14, 2016
Do you know that more than half of transpeople will attempt suicide at least once in their life, @RebelWilson? Did you know that?
— #CrimesOfGenocide (@NolanHack) February 14, 2016
On the flip side, others understood Rebel’s comment to be about Eddie Redmayne’s performance as transgender artist Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl.
I kind of assumed Rebel Wilson was just making fun of Eddie Redmayne, which I’m completely in support of
— Zinnia Jones (@ZJemptv) February 14, 2016
If you’re writing about the #BAFTA awards, please don’t make out @RebelWilson was controversial. It was just funny.
— Michael Weadock (@MichaelWeadock) February 14, 2016
Rebel Wilson’s speech at the baftas had me in stitches
— Joseph (@jottimus) February 14, 2016
To finish things off, Rebel did make one last gag. “Sorry, Idris Elba, you are making me a bit nervous,” she said. “But I am sociologically programmed to want chocolate on Valentine’s Day.”
Watch it all for yourself below and make your own judgement. Humorous or hurtful?
