Food for Thought

"One billion viewers are expected to tune in to this year’s Oscars to watch Hollywood on parade. But red carpet interviews aren’t the whole story. Time and again, actors have used the Academy Awards as a stage to spark debate about social change.

At last year’s Oscars, Patricia Arquette used her acceptance speech to shine a light on the gender pay gap in Hollywood, saying: “It’s our time to have wage equality for once and for all!”

Last year Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett Johansson were the only two women to be listed on the Celebrity 100 list of Forbes’ top paid celebrities. And, even after three Oscar wins, Meryl Streep continues to earn less than her male counterparts.

But this issue goes far beyond Hollywood..."