Asian Netizens Call Out Robert Downey Jr. and Emma Stone for Alleged Racism

Emma Stone and Robert Downey Jr. are under fire for their behavior towards Asian presenters at the recent 96th Academy Awards. The ceremony took place on March 11th, 2024 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

Both Stone and Downey Jr. scored big wins, taking home Best Actress for Poor Things and Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer, respectively. Stone’s win is her second, following her 2017 award for La La Land, while Downey Jr. finally snagged his first Oscar. Their performances were widely praised, but their conduct towards the presenters sparked outrage.

The issue stems from their interactions with Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, the previous year’s winners who presented the awards. Stone is accused of snubbing Yeoh, who was standing ready to hand over the Best Actress trophy. Instead, Stone allegedly bypassed Yeoh and had her friend Jennifer Lawrence accept the award. Reports also indicate a lack of proper greeting between Stone and Yeoh after the exchange.

Downey Jr. faces similar criticism for his treatment of Quan, the prior Best Supporting Actor winner. He reportedly received the award without acknowledging Quan, while shaking hands and greeting other past winners present. This alleged selective courtesy has sparked outrage online, with accusations of racism and snubbing trending on social media.

Let’s take a look at what fans are saying:

“Only those who have experienced it will know how frustrating that is.
They’ll say they didn’t mean to and make us the weird ones.
Sometimes, racism against Asians is so subtle that it can be more frustrating than overt discrimination.
It makes victims feel helpless and confused.
How dare they disrespect a legendary actress like Michelle Yeoh!”

와 저건 진짜 안당해본 사람은 모름.
그럴 의도는 없었는데 하면서 인종차별 당한 아시안만 유난러 만들겠지..
가끔 대놓고 인종차별하는게 낫다 여길만큼
아시안을 향한 인종차별은 교묘하고 피해자를 더 찜찜하게 만듬.
양자경이 어떤 배우인데 자경언니한테 저러나 https://t.co/5Oj7MMMzwX

— _Danaaaaa (@_danbi) March 11, 2024

“This video shows how rude Emma Stone and Robert Downey Jr. were.”

이 영상을 보면 엠마 스톤과 로버트 다우니 주니어가 얼마나 무례했는지 알 수 있음 https://t.co/mXPFWsH4SO

— 췍 (@do_asyoulike) March 11, 2024

@woowa0o0’s weet in Korean:

“White people at the Oscars are really out of the line.

1. RDJ treating people like trophy stands.
2. Emma Stone treating Michelle Yang as if she’s invisible.
3. Jennifer Lopez taking the trophy and giving it herself.

You can’t even see Michelle Yang because it’s blocked by Emma Stone.”

The lady at the corner is stopping Jennifer Lawrence from snatching the trophy from Michelle Yeoh. Yet it has to be a white woman awarding the #Oscar to another white woman. Emma Stone drags the trophy so that she can get it from Jennifer.
Very odd #racist scene. pic.twitter.com/CP90ulBMr9

— 할망덕이 (@justhalmi) March 11, 2024

“People are upset because of what happened onstage, and it’s not fair to dismiss their feelings just because the person in question acted differently offstage. Ignoring the issue will only make things worse.”

무대 뒤에서 이렇게 행동했다고해서, 무대 앞에서 했던 행동이 없었던 걸로 되는 게 아닙니다…

한국과 일본을 비롯한 아시아 타임라인의 사람들이 불쾌감을 쏟아내고 있는데, 그걸 이런식으로 무시하면… “아 그렇구나”하고 납득하기는 커녕, 이중으로 기분이 나빠질 뿐이지요. https://t.co/mZseP7cPLu

— 인간지내퀴저씨 (@k_aquinas) March 11, 2024

“RDJ’s next drama is about Vietnamese boat people, but he completely ignored actual Vietnamese boat people like Ke Huy Quan.”

로다주 차기작 드라마 베트남보트피플 관련이잖음 근데 찐 베트남보트피플인 키호이콴 개무시하내

— 밤부 (@vvamvoo) March 11, 2024

Emma Stone & Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert Downey Jr.(of course) were unconsciously discriminating against Asians. And We are Very Angry About it Happened. Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan are so wonderfully talented and popular and loved by Asians. So I'm so upset now. pic.twitter.com/z6Qd5HepIA

— Risa (@Risa22248337) March 11, 2024

Robert Downey Jr. and Emma Stone's blatant anti-Asian behavior at the Academy Awards. I feel sick watching it. I can't believe he was such a low-ranking person…
#RobertDowneyJr #EmmaStone
#michelyoh #racism pic.twitter.com/7ICu4sUefF

— 塩キャメル (@pa__copa_co_) March 11, 2024

So……Nobody is going to talk about how Robert Downey Jr. And Emma Stone being completely assholes and racist? Treating Asian actors who won the awards last year like a trash?? #Oscars2024 #racist #racism #EmmaStone #RobertDowneyJr https://t.co/lYymBXgUq1

— dying soul (@saltedbuttercoo) March 11, 2024

This video shows the persistence of racism within the Academy towards asian actors. Please provide statements regarding the behaviors of Emma Stone and Robert Downey Jr. towards Asian (originated from China) presenters.@TheAcademy https://t.co/CS48R3FFIm

— Koichi Kawakami, 川上浩一 (@koichi_kawakami) March 11, 2024

“Looking back at it, it’s funny how Sally Field grabbed Jennifer Lawrence and stopped her. It really seems like a strange situation.”

다시보니까 샐리필드 쌤이 제니퍼로렌스 붙잡고 말리는거ㅋㅋㅋ 진짜 이상한 상황 맞는것같은데pic.twitter.com/CV80O4itva

— 치리 (@gongchill2) March 11, 2024

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