JOHN LEGEND ON TRUMP'S TRAVEL BAN: 'HE IS AN ENEMY OF DEMOCRACY'

Celebrities arrived to the Producer's Guild Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday (28JAN2017) night as protests sparked around the country in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban.

The executive order bans legal U.S. residents and visaholders from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the U.S. for at least 90 days.

"We support the protests," said John Legend on the red carpet before the PGA ceremony. "We donated to ACLU today and we are grateful that they were in court in Brooklyn defending the rights of immigrants and refugees to come to this country. And we reject Donald Trump's message of fear and hate and we encourage everybody out there to speak out against it. Call your Congress people, support ACLU, support IRC and all those organizations that are speaking out for immigrants and refugees. And we're going to defeat him. He is an enemy of democracy. He's an enemy of freedom. He's an enemy of inclusion and he's going to lose."

Legend, who participated in the Women's March along with his wife Chrissy Teigen, said he will do whatever he can to help the protesters.

"Chrissy marched in D.C. I marched at Sundance and we're going to do whatever we can to resist his evil regime," he said.

Legend was on hand to support "La La Land," which he appeared in and served as an executive producer on. The retro musical reaped a record-tying 14 Academy Award nominations and was also vying for top honors at the PGAs.

A protest at John F. Kennedy airport, where 12 refugees were detained Saturday, swelled to more than 2,000 people, including some celebrities. Protesters also converged in Newark, New Jersey, Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.

"Lion" star and Oscar nominee Dev Patel called the travel ban "heartbreaking."

"I mean it's completely heartbreaking to be honest. I just flew in from India yesterday and to arrive to such devastating news of such a divisive nature, it's terrible. It's heartbreaking," he said.

Trump's order immediately suspended a program that last year resettled to the U.S. roughly 85,000 people displaced by war, political oppression, hunger and religious prejudice.

He indefinitely blocked all those fleeing Syria, where a civil war has displaced millions of people, and imposed a 90-day ban on entry to the U.S. from seven Muslim majority nations.

Beverly Hills, Calif., 28 Jan. 2017

1. Wide exterior shot of the Beverly Hilton Hotel

2. Zoom out on Kerry Washington

3. Zoom out on Lily Collins

4. Fashion shot, Teresa Palmer

5. Medium shot of Colin Firth

6. Medium shot of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen

7. SOUNDBITE (English) John Legend, actor/recording artist – on the protests against President Trump's travel ban: "We support the protests. We donated to ACLU today and we are grateful that they were in court in Brooklyn defending the rights of immigrants and refugees to come to this country. And we reject Donald Trump's message of fear and hate and we encourage everybody out there to speak out against it. Call your Congress people, support ACLU, support IRC and all those organizations that are speaking out for immigrants and refugees. And we're going to defeat him. He is an enemy of democracy. He's an enemy of freedom. He's an enemy of inclusion and he's going to lose."

Reporter: "I know you both participated in the women's marches. Do you think you'll participate in these protests?"

John Legend: "Yeah, Chrissy marched in D.C. I marched at Sundance and we're going to do whatever we can to resist his evil regime. Thank you."

8. Medium of Dev Patel Speaking

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Dev Patel, actor: "I mean it's completely heartbreaking to be honest. I just flew in from India yesterday and to arrive to such devastating news of such a divisive nature, it's terrible. It's heartbreaking."

10. Zoom out on Rami Malek

11. Zoom in on Thandie Newton

12. Medium of Common

13. Zoom in on Amanda Peet

14. Zoom in on Sarah Paulson

SHOTLIST

AP Entertainment

Mount Vernon, New York, 18 November 2011

1. Wide of Grace Baptist Church

2. Wide of actor Will Smith exiting the church, walks to car, camera pans back to catch Usher exiting church, back to Smith saying goodbye before

3. Wide of Usher waiting for car

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Usher/Recording Artist:

"I say is and not was, because his love still lives on through all of us that were touched, influenced by him. A beautiful spirit, and I'm just really happy to have been here today to celebrate the life of Heavy D."

Reporter: "Were you influenced by him?"

Usher: "Well, I think all of our beginnings in some ways started with Heavy D, because the first time I'd ever come to New York, I was obviously brought here by Sean Puffy Combs, Diddy, he made his start because Heavy D introduced him to Andre Harrell, but I'll never forget the first time I'd ever stepped into the studio. Of course, I'm a little timid, because I don't really know my way around these parts, I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, these New York guys they talk a little bit different, and they're from money-earning Mount Vernon, but I was greeted with love by Heav, and I remember him pulling me to the front, like, 'C'mon, get up here on the mic, man!' And you know as I said, we celebrate the love and passion of the individual."

5. Quick wide shot of Jay-Z getting into car (:06)

6. Wide of casket being carried out of church by pall bearers

7. Wide of Rev. Al Sharpton outside church, talking to Heavy D's brother in grey suit

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Delroy Lindo/Actor:

"You know what? It was truly a celebration. It was very, very much a celebration in there. I was sitting toward the front of the church, but looking back, there were just a lot of people who truly loved Dwight and it was very, very much a celebration and it was about love today."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Cheryl Wray (used to be named Cheryl James)/Recording Artist ('Salt' from the female rap group 'Salt-n-Pepa'):

"Heavy D is not only my friend, he's my colleague. We came up together in hip hop. We used to share a bus with 'Heavy D & the Boyz,' so they know what we look like at our worst, but Heavy was a lifelong buddy to me. He was an amazing person. We never got off the phone without him saying, 'Salty, I love you; I love you, Heav.' And the funeral celebration was incredible.'

10. Wide of Grace Baptist Church

RAPPER HEAVY D LAID TO REST OUTSIDE NEW YORK

Heavy D was remembered with laughter and tears Friday (18 NOVEMBER 2011) during a star-studded funeral service that included Jay-Z and Will Smith, humorous anecdotes from longtime friend Diddy, and words of encouragement for his young daughter, delivered in a letter from President Barack Obama.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences at this difficult time. He will be remembered for his infectious optimism and many contributions to American music. Please know that you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers," read the Obama note, according to the Rev. Al Sharpton, who quoted from it during the service.

Xea Myers, Heavy D's 11-year-old daughter, also spoke briefly, telling the audience that her father was "still here, not in the flesh, but in the spirit."

Grace Baptist Church was filled to capacity for the two-and-half-hour service, which was also streamed live on the Web. It was so crowded an overflow area was set up. Among those in attendance were Usher, Queen Latifah, Don King, Q-Tip, John Legend and Rosie Perez.

"His love still lives on through all of us that were touched, influenced by him," Usher said after the service. "A beautiful spirit, and I'm just really happy to have been here today to celebrate the life of Heavy D."

A large photo of Heavy D sat next to his closed casket.

Heavy D died last week in Los Angeles at the age of 44. His family said the death was due to complications from pneumonia.

The self-proclaimed "Overweight Lover" was born in Jamaica but reared in Mount Vernon, which he dubbed "Money-Earnin' Mount Vernon." It was also the home of Sean "Diddy" Combs. Diddy talked about how Heavy D helped give him his start in the music industry, and how their decades-long friendship continued up until Heavy D's death.

"He became my friend. He became my brother, and I'm not talking about friend-brother like we cavalierly use the word, I'm talking about a real friend, a real brother," Diddy said during his funeral remarks. "Somebody I shared my dreams and my secrets with, somebody that's been there for me at my lowest point, my darkest hour when nobody wanted to be beside me."

But he also told jokes as he recounted his "bromance" with the rapper, including a recent visit to Miami that was supposed to last for three days, but "turned into three weeks." He added that Heavy D got to know his chef "very well."

Sharpton also drew laughter when he noted that James Brown "made us black and proud; (Heavy D) made us fat and proud."

But singer Johnny Gill was tearful when he approached the altar, saying: "Just want to say to Heavy: job well done." He later gave a powerful rendition the gospel hit "Never Would Have Made It." Heavy D's nieces were also teary-eyed as they sang the gospel standard "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." Yolanda Adams and Anthony Hamilton also performed.

Heavy D, whose real name was Dwight Myers, was influential in the development of rap as it grew into a phenomenon in the late 1980s and 1990s. His hits included "Now That We've Found Love" and "Nuttin' But Love"; much of his music marked the "New Jack Swing" era in urban music, and he stood out from the pack with his rhymes, typified by a positive vibe and a lightheartedness that endeared him to so many.

Salt, of Salt-N-Pepa, recalled touring with Heavy D & the Boyz, and said the rapper always ended their conversations telling her: "I love you."

"He was a lifelong buddy to me," she said after the service. "Just now I realized how many lives he touched."

A fund has been set up to financially aid Heavy D's daughter; details were available on the website rememberheavyd.com.

WH CORRESPONDENTS DINNER, BILL O'REILLY DOMINATED THE CONVERSATION ON THE RED CARPET FOR THIS YEAR'S TIME 100 GALA

The White House Correspondents Dinner and Fox News' ousting of Bill O'Reilly dominated the conversation before the start of this year's Time 100 gala.

Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, television host Samantha Bee, and award-winning actress Fan Bingbing were just a few of the recipients to walk the red carpet Tuesday (25 APRIL 2017) in New York.

The list covers 100 of the most influential people in world. While many of this year's honorees were on hand, others were never expected, including North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and White House Strategist Stephen Bannon.

For those that walked the red carpet, the conversation was often political.

"Full Frontal" host Samantha Bee attended the gala with husband Jason Jones. And while Bee was impressed that she was named to the list, she was more preoccupied with next week's show.

"I think about the show all the time. We're having our big dinner on Saturday, so I'm very focused on that. I mean, this is lovely, it's wonderful, it's such an honor, but I definitely am very focused on the next show that we're doing. I think that's what it's all about," Bee said.

She was referring to her "Full Frontal" special, "Not the White House Correspondents Dinner" set for Saturday, when the actual event also takes place.

The reason for her special dinner has to do with President Trump breaking tradition. Earlier this year, he announced that he would not attend this year's White House Correspondents Dinner, marking the first time in more than three decades a U.S. president has not been present.

Bee sees her event as a protest to Trump, and his negative feelings toward the press.

"You know, it's a different type of show. We're intending our show to really focus on honoring the press for all of the work that we vampire from them; all the hard work that people do that go into making a show like ours possible. We're just celebrating a free press," Bee said.

All proceeds raised at the event will be donated to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Her former colleague, and "Daily Show" host, Trevor Noah, agrees with Bee. But also feels there's a special significance to this year's White House Correspondents Dinner.

"I do think it's exciting what Sam Bee is going with. I think it's also exciting that the Correspondents Dinner for the first time in many years will not have the president there, so maybe it will take on a different tone. Maybe there's something different that we'll get to see from the Correspondents Dinner. And you have Hasan Minaj, who's hosting it, and to have a Muslim comedian in the age of Trump hosting a White House Correspondents Dinner talking to the press that has for many, many years labeled Muslims in many ways as being the heart of the problem - I think that could be an interesting event to watch," Noah said.

Then there's Bill O'Reilly, who was fired from Fox News last week after a flurry of sexual harassment lawsuits.

Katie Couric weighed in on the situation.

"I think the whole situation at Fox really is an anomaly. I don't think that is the culture or the workplace environment at many media outlets today. But I think it's a powerful reminder, and I think it will... Certainly a lot of executives, a lot of personnel officers are now really kind of doing a refresher course, and reevaluating the polies they have in place, and making sure that women - that this won't happen in their offices," Couric said.

Charlie Rose addressed the topic of sexual harassment, and how the way it's being handled is changing.

"All of the cases that raise the issue of sexual harassment, which is a terrible thing, has probably been not exposed enough. Not enough in the sense of the attention in the past, so that people were afraid to come forward. I think people are coming forward now. But the decision on these things should be made by the people that have the information and the facts. Fox executives looked at it and made a decision that they thought was right. Bill O'Reilly is defending himself on his own podcast," Rose said.

Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis was inspired to be named to this year's list.

"Well it's inspiring. It makes me feel like you know what, I need to live up to the honor, you know. And I need to - it puts it into the forefront of my mind that I have to live a live bigger than myself. In everything that I do, I have to do that," Davis said.

Living bigger started earlier this year, when Davis' won an Academy Award for her role in "Fences."

"Everything changes your life. Getting married changes your life. Having a kid changes your life. Turning 50 changes your life. Having an arthritic toe changes your life. But... So yeah, it does change your life in a way because you feel like, 'Okay, now what? What do I do with what's been given to me, what's been blessed to be given to me.' So in that way, yeah sure," Davis said.

Chinese movie star Fan Bingbing was also named on the Time 100.

"I'm so happy today," Bingbing said, before walking into the event.

John Legend was named to the list, and performed at the gala.

"I'm excited. I think it's going to be a fun audience tonight, a very esteemed audience, of course, but we're going to have some fun. It's a little preview of our tour because we're going on the road soon. And so I'm excited to be with the band tonight and have a good time."

Other recipients of this year's honor include, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Barry Jenkins and Margot Robbie.

New York, 25 April 2017

1. Wide shot red carpet

2. Wide shot Samantha Bee talking to reporter

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Samantha Bee/Television host, on being named on the Time 100 list:

"Well, you know, we are just... I try to keep it very small, actually. I think about the show all the time. We're having our big dinner on Saturday, so I'm very focused on that. So I don't... I mean, this is lovely, it's wonderful, it's such an honor, but I definitely am very focused on the next show that we're doing. I think that's what it's all about."

4. Medium shot Samantha Bee talking to reporter

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Samantha Bee/Television host, on her special going against the White House Correspondents Dinner:

"You know, it's a different type of show. We're intending our show to really focus on honoring the press for all of the work that we vampire from them; all the hard work that people do that go into making a show like ours possible. We're just celebrating a free press."

6. Various of Trevor Noah talking to reporter

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Trevor Noah/Television host, on the White House Correspondents Dinner:

"I do think it's exciting what Sam Bee is going with. I think it's also exciting that the Correspondents Dinner for the first time in many years will not have the president there, so maybe it will take on a different tone. Maybe there's something different that we'll get to see from the Correspondents Dinner. And you have Hasan Minaj, who's hosting it, and to have a Muslim comedian in the age of Trump hosting a White House Correspondents Dinner talking to the press that has for many, many years labeled Muslims in many ways as being the heart of the problem - I think that could be an interesting event to watch."

8. Wide shot Arianna Huffington walks red carpet

9. Camera cutaway

10. Medium shot Naomi Campbell on red carpet

11. Wide shot; zoom Katie Couric talking to reporter

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Katie Couric/News Anchor, on the television landscape after Bill O'Reilly:

"Well, I think - I think the whole situation at Fox really is an anomaly. I don't think that is the culture or the workplace environment at many media outlets today. But I think it's a powerful reminder, and I think it will... Certainly a lot of executives, a lot of personnel officers are now really kind of doing a refresher course, and reevaluating the polies they have in place, and making sure that women - that this won't happen in their offices."

13. Medium shot Charlie Rose talking to reporter

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Charlie Rose/News Anchor, on Bill O'Reilly:

"All of the cases that raise the issue of sexual harassment, which is a terrible thing, has probably been not exposed enough. Not enough in the sense of the attention in the past, so that people were afraid to come forward. I think people are coming forward now. But the decision on these things should be made by the people that have the information and the facts. Fox executives looked at it and made a decision that they thought was right. Bill O'Reilly is defending himself on his own podcast, so."

15. Wide shot Viola Davis talking to reporter

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Viola Davis/Actress, on being named on the Time 100 list; if Oscar changed her life:

"Well it's inspiring. It makes me feel like you know what, I need to live up to the honor, you know. And I need to - it puts it into the forefront of my mind that I have to live a live bigger than myself. In everything that I do, I have to do that."

(Reporter: Is that how Oscar changed your life so far?)

Viola Davis: "Everything changes your life. Getting married changes your life. Having a kid changes your life. Turning 50 changes your life. Having an arthritic toe changes your life. But... So yeah, it does change your life in a way because you feel like, 'Okay, now what? What do I do with what's been given to me, what's been blessed to be given to me.' So in that way, yeah sure."

17. Medium shot Mia Farrow talks with Ru Paul

18. Fashion shot Fan Bingbing poses on red carpet

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Fan Bingbing/Actress, on being named on the Time 100 list:

"Yeah, I'm so happy today, yeah. Enjoy tonight."

20. Various of John Legend talking to reporter

21. SOUNDBITE (English) John Legend/Recording Artist:

"I'm excited. I think it's going to be a fun audience tonight, a very esteemed audience, of course, but we're going to have some fun. It's a little preview of our tour because we're going on the road soon. And so I'm excited to be with the band tonight and have a good time."

22. Wide shot red carpet

MUSIC INDUSTRY CALLS FOR BLACK OUT TUESDAY AMID UNREST

The music industry is planning to turn off the music and hold a day to reflect and implement change in response to the death of George Floyd and the killings of other black people.

Several top record labels organized Black Out Tuesday as riots erupted around the world sparked by Floyd’s death as well as the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Music-based companies Live Nation and TikTok, as well as the Recording Academy, posted to social media that it planned to support and stand with the black community.

“On Tuesday June 2nd, Columbia Records will observe ‘Black Out Tuesday,’” the Sony label home to Beyonce, Bob Dylan, Adele and John Legend said in a statement. “This is not a day off. Instead, this is a day to reflect and figure out ways to move forward in solidarity.”

“We continue to stand with the Black community, our staff, artists, and peers in the music industry,” the company continued. “Perhaps with the music off, we can truly listen.”

Others that have joined Black Out Tuesday include the Sony imprints RCA Records and Epic Records; the Universal Music Group divisions Republic Records, Def Jam, UMG Nashville, Capitol Records and Island Records; and the Warner Music Group imprints Atlantic and Warner Records. Smaller, independent labels as well as music publishing companies and management firms have also signed on.

UMG’s Interscope Geffen A and M said that in addition to joining Black Out Tuesday, the label home to Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar would not release music this week - the first label to do so.

“Instead, IGA will contribute to organizations that help to bail out protesters exercising their right to peacefully assemble, aid lawyers working for systemic change and provide assistance to charities focused on creating economic empowerment in the Black community,” its statement read.

IGA postponed new music releases MGK, 6lack, Dylan, Jessie Ware, Smokepurp, Lil Mosey, Billy Raffoul, Max Leone and more in coordination with their partners Alamo, LVRN, The Darkroom, Bad Boy and more.

Musicians including Rihanna, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X, Demi Lovato, Post Malone and Harry Styles have spoken out following Floyd’s death and the worldwide riots. Jay-Z released a statement late Sunday calling for Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to prosecute those responsible for killing Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck.

“I, along with an entire country in pain, call upon AG Ellison to do the right thing and prosecute all those responsible for the murder of George Floyd to the fullest extent of the law. This is just a first step. I am more determined to fight for justice than any fight my would-be oppressors may have,” Jay-Z said. “I prevail on every politician, prosecutor and officer in the country to have the courage to do what is right. Have the courage to look at us as humans, dads, brothers, sisters and mothers in pain and look at yourselves.”

Racial tensions were also running high after two white men were arrested in May in the February shooting death of black jogger Arbery in Georgia, and after Louisville, Kentucky, police shot Taylor to death in her home in March.

The R and B duo Chloe x Halle, who will release their sophomore album “Ungodly Hour” on Friday, posted a cover of the classic civil rights anthem and protest song “We Shall Overcome” to Instagram.

“This week has been very heavy for all of us. We’ve been trying to, not understand, because there’s no way to understand the terrible killings - we just have heavy hearts this week and are just trying to do everything we can to pray and lift each other up with our voices,” Halle said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“With everything going on, we felt like music can be very healing, because it’s been that way for us in kind of keeping us sane during this time,” Chloe added. As much as we could, we just wanted to share our gift of song to even just lift spirits for even a few seconds.”

New York, 2 May 2016

1. Various of Beyonce arriving at Met Gala

New York, 4 May 2015

2. Various of Beyonce and Jay-Z posing at the Met Gala

Los Angeles, 9 November 2019

3. Various of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen arriving at a Baby2Baby gala

Los Angeles, 14 March 2019

4. Wide, push in to medium of John Legend arriving at the iHeartRadio awards

New York, 6 May 2019

5. Various of Lady Gaga arriving and posing on the Met Gala red carpet

JOHN LEGEND, SARA BAREILLES SHOW SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS BY PARKLAND SHOOTING SURVIVORS

At the press day for their upcoming "Jesus Christ Superstar Live" television event, John Legend and Sara Bareilles shared their support for the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on Tuesday (27 FEB. 2018) in New York.

Legend said that he and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, support their efforts for sensible gun laws and have provided some financial assistance for the upcoming March for Our Lives.

"We support the students. We are proud of the students. We've already sent them money, and we sent them $25,000 dollars to help with whatever costs they have for organizing," Legend said.

Legend feels gun culture has to change in America.

"We stand out among other major countries in the world when it comes to these kinds of massacres. But also in the everyday gun violence that people have to deal with. I don't think we should accept that as normal. I think we've gotten too used to it. I think we've decided that everyone having unfettered access to guns is more important than all of us being safe," Legend said.

He added: "I don't want our kids to keep going to these shooter drills and all these other things that I can't even believe that kids are dealing with right now. They shouldn't have to deal with that. But I'm glad these kids from Parkland are saying enough is enough, and we support them."

Bareilles, who will star as Mary Magdalene opposite Legend's Jesus in the Easter Sunday live event, ran through a litany of feelings for the student activists.

"I take my hat off. I am so impressed, in awe, adoration, in gratitude to their intelligence, their organization, their willingness to really take up this fight from such a - such an honest and pure place. And the children will lead them on, you know what I mean. I think that we have a lot to learn from them," Bareilles said.

The Valentine's Day school shooting claimed 17 lives. Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old accused of the shooting, is in custody.

New York, 27 February 2018

1. Various of John Legend posing on red carpet

2. John Legend talking to reporter

3. SOUNDBITE (English) John Legend/Recording Artist:

"We support the students. We are proud of the students. We've already sent them money, and we sent them $25,000 dollars to help with whatever costs they have for organizing. And we believe that our gun culture needs to change in America. We stand out among other major countries in the world when it comes to these kinds of massacres. But also in the everyday gun violence that people have to deal with. I don't think we should accept that as normal. I think we've gotten too used to it. I think we've decided that everyone having unfettered access to guns is more important than all of us being safe. And so, I think we have to really reshape that balance a bit, so that we are all more safe and have less fear that we have to live within our lives. I don't want our kids to keep going to these shooter drills and all these other things that I can't even believe that kids are dealing with right now. They shouldn't have to deal with that. But I'm glad these kids from Parkland are saying enough is enough, and we support them."

4. Sara Bareilles talking to reporter

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sara Bareilles/Recording Artist:

"I take my hat off. I am so impressed, in awe, adoration, in gratitude to their intelligence, their organization, their willingness to really take up this fight from such a - such an honest and pure place. And the children will lead them on, you know what I mean. I think that we have a lot to learn from them."

6. John Legend talking to reporter

SHOTLIST:

AP Entertainment

Pasadena, Calif., 5 February 2016

1. Wide, exterior of theater

2. Various of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith arriving

3. Medium of Viola Davis arriving

4. Medium of Gabrielle Union arriving

5. Medium of Tracee Ellis Ross speaking to reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Tracee Ellis Ross, actress: "I think the NAACP is an extraordinary organization that is here for a reason that continues to see us, represent us, recognize us, celebrate us and speak a voice in a sea of voices that needs to be spoken. And a night like this, especially in the context of what's happening (at the Oscars), where we also get to … The truth of who we are gets to be mirrored back and is seen. It's important."

7. Wide of Jussie Smollett speaking to reporters

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jussie Smollett, actor: "I mean I understand why it's dominating the scene right now and the stories right now. It's just that I don't want that to be the end-all, you know what I'm saying? I keep saying that I've never heard of a golden statue saving a life. You know what I'm saying? I just came back from Flint. That's what I care about. I care about Black Lives Matter and police brutality. That's what I care about. That's what I want to talk about. So if the conversation of diversity in Hollywood and diversity with awards is connected somehow to a very real conclusion then that's cool. But if it's not, and it's just rhetoric, then I don't care to partake in that."

9. Medium of Jussie Smollett speaking to reporters

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jussie Smollett, actor:" I absolutely agree with that. I also agree with the fact that people have to take, people have to take note. And that it's not just our responsibility. You know this is no more my fight than it is Reese Witherspoon's. So for that, we are all in this together. And diversity should not be a fad or a hashtag. It should be something that we represent because as artists we are supposed to tell the truth and show the world in a very truthful way. And the world is as we see tonight. It's not one color. So for that, it's what we should care about."

11. Medium of Tracee Ellis Ross speaking to reporters

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Tracee Ellis Ross, actress: "I did not have the opportunity or the voice to vote for the Oscars. Had I had a chance to vote, there are some other projects I would have put in the mix. However I do have a voice in this general election. This is a place where I can let my voice be heard and I really encourage the frustration and where we don't have a voice to use the voice where you do have one, where you can affect change."

13. Tilt up on Shameik Moore

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Shameik Moore, actor: "A lot of people are telling me that I was snubbed and everything, but you know I will appreciate that recognition. Especially if everybody feels like I was snubbed I think I did my job. There's nothing else I can do. I don't do it for anyone else. I do it for myself and I do it for the people that are affected by it in a positive way that will receive what I'm doing. I don't need recognition from a group of people I don't know or care … Their opinion doesn't change my attitude or what I'm doing. So I still want to continue to create and affect the world in a positive way. So that's me."

15. Wide of O'Shea Jackson Jr. speaking to reporters

16. SOUNDBITE (English) O'Shea Jackson Jr., actor: "You know we all want to be on that stage. It's the grand one. It's the one that we all picture wining the award on when you're an actor, but you really have to work on your art. If you do this to win trophies, if you do this to be famous, you'll lose it in an instant. Work on your craft. Perfect your craft. The accolades will come."

17. Wide of Ice Cube speaking to reporters

18. SOUNDBITE (English) O'Shea Jackson Jr., actor - on winning an Image Award: "My parents have a line: They're always happy for me, but they're never surprised. You know they are my backbone and I can't wait to see them tonight."

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Neil Brown Jr., actor: "You know organizations like this came up because of the misrepresentation of the people or having no representation. Award shows, like this event, like this had to be created so people of color could get a fair shot. You know what I mean? And we nominate white people too as well. I mean I don't know if she knows this, there's been quite a bit of white people nominated and quite a bit of white people who won BET awards and all these types of things, right? The people who speak those negative things typically are people who are pretty much closed-minded. We're open-minded here. This is all inclusive."

20. Medium of John Legend speaking to reporters

21. Medium of Laverne Cox

OSCARS DIVERSITY DISCUSSION CONTINUES AT THE NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

"Empire" star Jussie Smollett wants to make sure the uproar over the lack of diversity at the Academy Awards is kept in perspective.

"I've never heard of a golden statue saving a life. You know what I'm saying? I just came back from Flint. That's what I care about. I care about Black Lives Matter and police brutality. That's what I care about. That's what I want to talk about. So if the conversation of diversity in Hollywood and diversity with awards is connected somehow to a very real conclusion then that's cool. But if it's not, and it's just rhetoric, then I don't care to partake in that," Smollett said.

Smollett was one of many stars to discuss diversity on the red carpet at Friday's NAACP Image Awards, where "Empire" dominated with wins for outstanding drama series, actor and actress.

Smollett, who received the Chairman's Award for public service, called on Hollywood to take action:

"People have to take note. And that it's not just our responsibility. You know this is no more my fight than it is Reese Witherspoon's. So for that, we are all in this together. And diversity should not be a fad or a hashtag. It should be something that we represent because as artists we are supposed to tell the truth and show the world in a very truthful way. And the world is as we see tonight. It's not one color. So for that, it's what we should care about," he said.

"black-ish" star Tracee Ellis Ross suggested focusing energy on the upcoming general elections, following a second year of mostly white Oscar nominees.

"I did not have the opportunity or the voice to vote for the Oscars. Had I had a chance to vote, there are some other projects I would have put in the mix. However I do have a voice in this general election. This is a place where I can let my voice be heard and I really encourage the frustration and where we don't have a voice to use the voice where you do have one, where you can affect change," she said.

"black-ish" swept the TV comedy categories with Anthony Anderson winning the award for outstanding actor, while the show was selected as outstanding comedy series and Ross was honored as outstanding actress.

"I think the NAACP is an extraordinary organization that is here for a reason that continues to see us, represent us, recognize us, celebrate us and speak a voice in a sea of voices that needs to be spoken. And a night like this, especially in the context of what's happening (at the Oscars), where we also get to … The truth of who we are gets to be mirrored back and is seen. It's important," Ross said before the ceremony.

The highly admired biopic "Straight Outta Compton" picked up the outstanding motion picture prize at the Image Awards.

"Compton" star O'Shea Jackson Jr. took home the outstanding supporting actor trophy.

"My parents have a line: They're always happy for me, but they're never surprised. You know they are my backbone and I can't wait to see them tonight," said Jackson Jr., who walked the carpet with his father, Ice Cube.

The film, which tells the story of the pioneering rap group N.W.A., failed to score a best picture nod at the Oscars.

"You know we all want to be on that stage," Jackson Jr. said. "It's the grand one. It's the one that we all picture winning the award on when you're an actor, but you really have to work on your art. If you do this to win trophies, if you do this to be famous, you'll lose it in an instant. Work on your craft. Perfect your craft. The accolades will come," said Jackson Jr.

"Beasts of No Nation," "Concussion," and "Dope" have also been mentioned as best picture snubs at the Oscars.

"A lot of people are telling me that I was snubbed and everything, but you know I will appreciate that recognition. Especially if everybody feels like I was snubbed I think I did my job. There's nothing else I can do. I don't do it for anyone else. I do it for myself and I do it for the people that are affected by it in a positive way that will receive what I'm doing. I don't need recognition from a group of people I don't know or care … Their opinion doesn't change my attitude or what I'm doing. So I still want to continue to create and affect the world in a positive way. So that's me," said "Dope" star Shameik Moore.

Actress Stacey Dash recently made headlines for questioning the BET channel and the Image Awards.

The former "Clueless" star said in an interview that people need to make up their minds between segregation and integration, "and if we don't want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET and the BET Awards and the (NAACP) Image Awards, where you're only rewarded if you're black."

"Straight Outta Compton" actor Neil Brown Jr. fired back at Dash while arriving to the Image Awards:

"You know organizations like this came up because of the misrepresentation of the people or having no representation. Award shows, like this event, like this had to be created so people of color could get a fair shot. You know what I mean? And we nominate white people too as well. I mean I don't know if she knows this, there's been quite a bit of white people nominated and quite a bit of white people who won BET awards and all these types of things, right? The people who speak those negative things typically are people who are pretty much closed-minded. We're open-minded here. This is all inclusive," he said.

Michael B. Jordan was the evening's big winner. The star of the boxing drama "Creed" was honored as both the entertainer of the year and outstanding actor in a motion picture for his role as Apollo Creed's son in the "Rocky" spin-off.

Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee were among this year's attendees who said they won't attend this upcoming Oscars ceremony, due to the lack of diversity among the nominees.

John Legend received the NAACP President's Award, which recognizes those for career success and public service.