By: Aishwarya Yaddanapudi
“And the Grammy for Album of the Year goes to Bad Bunny – DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS!” This moment made history by making Bad Bunny the first Latin artist to win Album of the Year with an entirely Spanish-speaking album. Award show season is an exciting time for all artists, from filmmakers at the Oscars to musicians at the Grammys. Art forms of all kinds are celebrated and gain recognition for their hard work and talent. For many people, these forms of media act as an escape from the outside world. When the world is in turmoil or life becomes overwhelming, people turn to movies and music to achieve relief.
However, this mindset has also led to complacency within audiences. Hollywood has long influenced the way people think, act, and form beliefs. The ability for individuals to shape the opinions of millions is incredibly powerful, and increasingly, artists recognize their capacity to create and enact change. When Ryan Coogler won for “Best Director” at the Oscars, he commanded the attention of everyone in the room and millions watching at home. This moment of visibility becomes an opportunity to influence public awareness. Some viewers may not be exposed to the realities of ICE detention practices or broader human rights violations, but hearing a trusted public figure speak passionately can shift perspectives and spark awareness.
Looking back in time the idea that award shows were never political, or that celebrities should remain apathetic to political issues, is historically inaccurate. As early as 1972, Marlon Brando declined his Best Actor Oscar and sent Sacheen Littlefeather to speak on Native American rights. In 1980, Jane Fonda and Barbra Streisand helped establish The Hollywood Women’s Political Committee, which fought to preserve abortion rights and organized against fascism. Susan Sarandon, at the 1993 Academy Awards, spoke about the U.S. government’s internment of HIV-positive Haitian refugees at Guantanamo Bay. Finally, Sally Field at the 2007 Emmys, used her speech to critique the Iraq War, stating, “if mothers ruled the world, there would be no goddamned wars.”
To gain a deeper understanding of media being used as a political tool, speaking with Jordan Tate, a Film and Entertainment and Media Studies double major with a minor in African American Studies. While award shows demonstrate how artists use their platforms to speak on political issues, Tate’s perspective highlights why media is able to function this way. She explained that “every source of art is a medium, spreading a message,” reinforcing the idea that film and music are never neutral forms of entertainment. Because “people connect with film easier,” media becomes one of the most accessible ways to shape public opinion and bring awareness to political and humanitarian issues.
At the same time, Tate’s insights complicate the idea that increased visibility leads to meaningful change. While award shows may celebrate diverse voices, she noted that “the goalposts do get moved,” especially for films created by marginalized communities. Even though Sinners was breaking records within its genre, “it seems that they saw a film made by Black people with a majority Black/POC cast and crew and a lot of people couldn’t get behind it.” This reflects the same tension seen in awards season, where recognition can exist alongside systemic bias.
Tate also discussed whether celebrity advocacy translates into real impact. While some artists use award speeches to address issues like immigration or human rights, she pointed out that “some people are there with ICE Out buttons… while actively not doing anything to help the immigrants,” while others are “genuinely helping… and using their platforms to fund people impacted by ICE.”. This distinction reinforces the idea that media can be used as a political tool, but its effectiveness depends on whether that visibility leads to action beyond symbolic gestures.
Finally, Tate’s skepticism toward institutions like the Oscars ties back to the question of who defines cultural significance. Although award shows position themselves as the measure of success, she argued that “the Academy is a legitimate organization but it’s a non factor when it comes to who finds your film culturally significant.” Instead, “what the public has to say about your film matters more,” suggesting that the power of media lies not in institutional recognition, but in how audiences interpret and respond to it.
Award shows are spaces of celebration and platforms where culture and politics come together. While they offer moments of escape, they also show how much media shapes what people pay attention to and care about. It reveals that the power of media does not end with what is said on stage but depends on how people respond to it afterward. In that sense, award shows do not simply bring people together, they push audiences to confront issues and decide what they are willing to stand for.
