SAG Awards criticized after Mark Wahlberg chose to present the award to a majority Asian cast everything together everywhere,
When he was a teenager, Wahlberg was accused of assaulting two Vietnamese men while high on the drug PCP, pleading guilty to a felony. Police officers reported that Wahlberg used a racist slur to describe both victims.
At the end of the SAG Awards on Sunday (February 26), Wahlberg took the stage to announce the winner of the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Awarded everything together everywhereOscar-tipped drama about a dimension-jumping laundrette owner starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu and Ke Hui Quan.
Viewers shared their views on Twitter, many of them condemning the decision to let Wahlberg host the awards.
“I have to say, Mark Wahlberg, who actually went to prison as a teen for committing a hate crime against a Vietnamese man, presents the cast with an award everything together everywhere Certainly there was a choice,” wrote journalist Bonnie Steinberg.
One person commented, “Mark Wahlberg giving the EEAAO the award is ironic.”
Another person wrote, “Mark Wahlberg (who has committed many hate crimes against Asians) giving SAG Ensemble Awards to predominantly Asian actors is truly a shame on Hollywood.”
Someone else wrote, “Mark Wahlberg attending is so ugly #SAGAwards.”
Mark Wahlberg on stage at the 2023 SAG Awards
(Getty Images)
Others, however, argued that Wahlberg has improved in the decades since committing the crime, and should be allowed to host the award.
Independent TechRepublic has contacted representatives for Wahlberg and SAG Awards for comment.
In 2014, Wahlberg unsuccessfully apologized for his assault on two Vietnamese men, writing in a statement: “I am deeply sorry for the actions I took on the night of April 8, 1988, as well as for any permanent damage Is.” I can cause victims.
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“Since that time, I have dedicated myself to becoming a better person and citizen so that I can be a role model for my children and others.”
In recent years, his victims have expressed differing opinions on whether Wahlberg should still be held accountable for his teenage actions.
You can see a roundup of all the winners of this year’s SAG Awards here.