During the 2020 Oscar Nominations announcement on January 14, there was one particular moment that caught the interest of the internet and now they are raving about the diversity issue at the Oscar nominations.
When both the actors, Issa Rae and John Cho, were introducing announcing this year's nominees for the Best Director category, Issa spontaneously delivered a hilarious quip about the lack of female representation.
Issa said, "Congratulations to those men," after announcing the all-male category nominees. This was instantly picked up by the internet and she was praised for her ad-lib whereas several people thought that was a bit harsh on those nominees.
Issa Rae deserves her own Oscar for this moment. pic.twitter.com/Y7jJu7BIwB
— An Ungrateful Minx (@yosoymichael) January 13, 2020
Issa revealed the reason behind her banter

Now, Issa has revealed exactly why she said what she said. "John Cho and I were told to just banter for five seconds as the teleprompter loaded, and that was my banter," she told reporters at HBO TCA following the panel for her show 'Insecure'.
However, she is very much aware of how little representation they are in Hollywood; for women and people of colour. The actress declared her disinterest in the conversation about the lack of diversity in the award nominations.
"I just think it's unfortunate. I think that the Academy needs to be better. I think I'm kind of tired of having the same conversation," Issa said. "Every year it's something, so for me, it's just pointing it out when I see it, but I just don't want to get too worked up about it. It is what it is at this point, and it's just the conversations happening behind the scenes that I'm most interested in. I don't want to say too much more. It's annoying," she concluded.
Twitter was raving about her quick wit
And the Oscar goes to Issa Rae for her backhanded “congratulations to those men†after the all male Best Director category 😂 pic.twitter.com/g8bpDzU91T
— Johnny Joe (@Aphex__Twink) January 13, 2020
Issa Rae saying “congratulations to those MEN†and staring down the camera after announcing the Oscar noms for Best Director... impeccable
— cam 🌨 (@cmesinger) January 13, 2020
And the Oscar goes to Issa Rae for her backhanded “congratulations to those men†after the all male Best Director category 😂 pic.twitter.com/g8bpDzU91T
— Johnny Joe (@Aphex__Twink) January 13, 2020
My dude @franklinavenue is asking Issa Rae about her perfect response to the Oscars directing nominations and she is amazingly blasé. Big Keke energy. pic.twitter.com/3HjUwSCkdI
— Libby Hill (@midwestspitfire) January 15, 2020
The 35-year-old actor has been an outspoken voice when it comes to the fight for equal representation, and this is not the first time she has gone viral for her candid comments about diversity.