(AGENPARL) – ROME, March 10, 2023 – — The Academy Awards reportedly rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to appear on Sunday’s broadcast, signaling a cooling off of the Hollywood-Zelensky romance.
WME agent Mike Simpson asked the Academy to include Zelensky, but was turned down, according to one report by Variety . Simpson is reportedly representing documentary filmmaker Aaron Kaufman, who co-directed the pro-Zelensky documentary Super power with Sean Penn.
The decision comes as public support for arms shipments to Ukraine is fading, with a recent poll showing 48% of Americans in favor of arms supplies to Ukraine, while 29% are against and 22% he says he is neither for nor against.
Hollywood has been one of Zelensky’s most reliable cheerleaders, with celebrities like Sean Penn, Ben Stiller, and Jessica Chastain traveling to Ukraine to promote the actor-turned-politician.
In January, NBC’s Golden Globes feted Zelensky with a special tie-in in which he has the comedian speaking remotely, vowing his country would be victorious against Russian aggression. Last year, Zelensky gave a keynote address at the Grammy Awards in a bizarre video that showed him in a bunker.
Although Zelensky was not present at last year’s Oscars, the broadcast observed a moment of silence in recognition of Ukraine.
The 95th Academy Awards air this Sunday on ABC. Leftist Network comedian Jimmy Kimmel is returning to host the ratings-challenged event
Is the Americans’ honeymoon with comedian Zelensky over? Oh to know…