MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

'Woke' Baftas called 'joke award show' as celebs take digs at JK Rowling, offer Ukraine platitudes

A wide range of celebrities from Emma Watson to Rebel Wilson give political commentary on the Ukraine invasion and JK Rowling, leaving the net furious

After a two-year delay, the Bafta award show returned to screens in 2022, and it didn't exactly go as many users wanted. The show, usually known for celebrities' attire and surprising winner announcements, instead got extremely political with comments on JK Rowling and the Ukraine invasion. It wasn't just host Rebel Wilson but several other stars who took to the stage for causes and were quickly slammed for being "too woke" by the internet.

The Baftas are far from the only ceremony to be hit by complaints of "wokeness". The 2020 Oscars were slammed for "hypocritical preaching" by celebrities, like Tyler Perry's "I refuse to hate cops" comment. But while many celebrities have been keen to press on socio-political issues, Ricky Gervais turned heads with his hosting gig at the 2020 Golden Globes. Despite clearly saying, "You're in no position to lecture the public about anything," it appears the celebrities haven't learned their lesson.

RELATED ARTICLES

Ricky Gervais's fan following sees a big rise after his scathing attack on Hollywood on Golden Globes night

'Social justice warrior garbage': Outrage over WOKE ‘Lord of the Rings’ TV series casting

If anything, they doubled down on their comments on current affairs at the Baftas, which was held in London on March 13, 2022. The comments soon led to a massive series of complaints and criticism on Twitter, but it seems like it will have little effect. 

Bond, Putin, and Rowling all targeted at Baftas

The 2022 awards were hosted by comedian Rebel Wilson, who wasted no time in taking a dig at Russian President Vladimir Putin. "In this performance, there are two different interpreters one is signing America Sign Language and one is signing British Sign Language. Luckily though, in all sign languages, this is the gesture for Putin," she said and then raised her middle finger to the camera. 

That was only the beginning. Harry Potter star Emma Watson said, "I'm here for all the witches!" after being introduced to present an award, a not-so-subtle dig at author JK Rowling who said trans women weren't women in the past. Wilson then returned to mock that she was the next James Bond, adding, "because of the gender pay gap", she would have the number 004.5, rather than 007. 

'Doctor Strange' star Benedict Cumberbatch also weighed in on the Ukraine crisis saying, "We all need ... to do more than wear a badge. We need to donate, we need to pressure our politicians to continue to create some kind of a refugee safety and a haven here for people who are suffering." As well-intentioned as the comments may have been, social media certainly didn't see it that way. 

'I’d rather stick hot pins in my eyes'

"What woke f**kery is going on at this joke of an award show?" one person tweeted. Another slammed, "I decided to watch BAFTAS tonight - have not seen an screen Award ceremony in many years.... it was more PC/WOKE than I could have imagined. All I can say is white able bodied people will probably never win an award again." A third mocked, "Does anyone still watch the vomit-inducing, woke luvvie w**kfest that is the #BAFTAs? I’d rather stick hot pins in my eyes."

"The orgy of wokeness that is the Baftas not disappointing tonight. Already ‘gags’ about gender fluid youth, the gender pay gap, a female Bond, and JK Rowling. And stars claiming they’ll try to take in Ukrainian refugees while walking the red carpet. Sure you will. Benedict," one person commented.

Another dubbed the show "BAFTA - an orgy of the woke elite." A third made his displeasure very apparent, tweeting, "Must have yelled “oh f@@k off” at the BAFTAs show about 10 times while watching it. What a load of woke b*****ks."