President Obama Weighs In On The Oscar Controversy

President Obama is asking a poignant question to Hollywood.

“Are we making sure that everybody is getting a fair shot?” Obama, 53, shared with KABC’s David Ono regarding the lack of diversity among this year’s Oscar nominations.

“I think that California is an example of the incredible diversity of this country,” POTUS said. “That’s a strength. I think that when everyone’s story is told then that makes for better art.”

For the second year in a row, actors of color were shut out of the nominations. The Oscars class of 2016 is once again solely composed of white actors and actresses, a reality that has forced the Academy to take steps towards addressing diversity.

“It makes for better entertainment, it makes everybody feel part of one American family,” Obama continued. “I think as a whole the industry should do what every other industry should do which is to look for talent, provide opportunity to everybody.”

Adding, “I think the Oscar debate is really just an expression of this broader issue. Are we making sure that everybody is getting a fair shot?”

Hillary Clinton also weighed in on the #OscarsSoWhite conversation, tellingAol.com, “I think it is overdue… Just think of the great films that not only display the diversity of America, but the diversity of the human experience. The Academy has to catch up with our reality.”