Actors, producers share support for Oscars boycott at award shows

CENTURY CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Stars were eager to share their opinions on the Oscars boycott over the lack of diversity while attending the Producer's Guild Awards and NAACP Image Awards nominees luncheon on Saturday.

The uproar caused sweeping changes earlier in the week that would add more diversity to acting roles and Oscars voters by 2020.

While many in Hollywood were praising the Academy's announcement, others said it is only the first step in a growing movement for equal opportunity in the industry.

"...It doesn't matter what's your race, your tax bracket or what your sexual preference is, if you're putting down the best work, you deserve an opportunity to have your work be recognized just like everybody else," said actor Tyrese Gibson.

Academy president Cheryl Boon Issacs spoke out at tonight's Producer's Guild Awards and said the Academy is committed to diversify in every way.

"All sorts of people - young, international, African-American, Latino, females, women - all across the board. That has been a goal of ours for a while."

Aditya Sood, a producer of "The Martian," said diversity in the Academy would be important because it would mirror the people of the real world.

"It's incumbent on everyone in Hollywood to really strive to take greater care to make sure movies reflect society," he said.

The 2016 award season was swirling with controversy for the second year in a row as none of the acting Oscars nominations went to a person of color.

The votes prompted many celebrities to boycott the Academy Awards altogether.

Powerhouse producer Shonda Rhimes was honored as the first female solo recipient of the Norman Lear Achievement Award at the Producer's Guild Awards ceremony.