Jared Leto Thinks It’s ‘Ridiculous’ To Diss The Oscars

Every year we hear someone complain about awards recognition or that there’s too much attention put on accolades during Oscar season. This year, Jared Leto has received much of that attention due to his transformative performance in Dallas Buyers Club. Instead of going against the recognition, Leto spoke out against the general attitude about the awards campaigning.

Leto stopped by Huffington Post to talk with Ricky Camilleri about his performance as a transgender woman dying of AIDS. Soon after the conversation turned to statements made by actors like Michael Fassbender and Joaquin Phoenix who turned their nose up at the process of getting recognition for their work. Leto was surprisingly and quite refreshingly candid as he opposed the negative views of awards season.

At first the actor took the diplomatic approach having said:

“They had done it before, so I guess they have every right to complain about it.”

As Leto continued, he spoke out about those who constantly snub their own awards nominations. The actor, who had left the business for six years to focus on his band 30 Seconds To Mars said, “I think it’s kind of ridiculous to complain about celebrating art and creativity and your peers.”

Leto continued:

“It’s certainly better than not celebrating each other. I’ve been a part of a lot of films where we all had high hopes and things just didn’t turn out the way you had expected or dreamed that they would. When they do turn out in a way that works, and people celebrate, I think it’s a wonderful thing to acknowledge that. This hasn’t been anything but a joy so far.”

The Chapter 27 actor’s argument primarily concentrated on the fact that the recognition came from the peers in the acting business, and didn’t touch on the media or film critics weighing in and how that might reflection the awards season.

“It’s your peers. If you don’t want to be a part of it, just shut up and go away and don’t be a part of it, I suppose. No one is forcing you to show up at the awards ceremony. Just don’t go.”

So far Jared Leto has been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actor’s Guild Award for his turn in Dallas Buyers Club.

[Image credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com]