Razzie Awards apologize to 12-year-old girl for ‘insensitive’ worst actress nomination
The Razzie Awards have issued an apology after targeting a young actress in its annual nominations.Â
The awards show, which “honors” the worst movies and performances of the year, nominated Ryan Kiera Armstrong for worst actress for playing a girl with pyrokinetic abilities in last summer’s “Firestarter.”
Armstrong, 12, was included in the category alongside Hollywood veterans such as Alicia Silverstone (“The Requin”) and Diane Keaton (“Mack Rita”). “Firestarter,” adapted from Stephen King’s 1980Â novel, was also nominated for worst remake, ripoff or sequel.Â
Following Monday’s nominations announcement, the Razzies received immediate blowback on social media, with Twitter users calling Armstrong’s nomination “ignorant,” “hateful” and “bullying.”Â
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In response, Razzies’ co-founder John Wilson released a statement Wednesday apologizing to Armstrong and calling the criticisms “valid.”Â
The backlash “brought our attention to how insensitive we’ve been in this instance,” Wilson said in a statement obtained by USA TODAY. “As a result, we have removed Armstrong’s name from the final ballot that our members will cast next month. We also believe a public apology is owed Ms. Armstrong, and wish to say we regret any hurt she experienced as a result of our choices.”Â