Oscars going ‘from conversation to action’: Academy president

“Certainly, interviews like this are very helpful and the fact that the conversation is really alive right now. We all want to take that opportunity to go from conversation to actual action.

“We at the Academy have started with our concrete action of really looking at our organization and making sure that it’s inclusive,” she said.

The diversity issue began with the announcement of this year’s Oscar nominees, which for the second year in a row failed to include a single actor of color.

As a result of the growing controversy Issacs released a statement, expressing her “disappointment”. After acknowledging the “wonderful work” of the nominees, she added, “I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion.”

Nonetheless the Academy president, who is the first African-American to hold the position, is really excited about the awards night.

“The excitement is really, really noticeable. You know, you can feel it in the air, as everybody ascends up these steps. It’s really very, very special,” she said.