Hollywood actors Riz Ahmed and Viola Davis are the new additions to the list of Oscar presenters, the Academy announced on Friday. Both Ahmed and Davis have been nominated in the acting categories for their films Sound of Metal and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, respectively.
“We’re thrilled Viola and Riz have joined our cast. Even though they are nominees, we really felt they needed to be a part of our Oscar ensemble,” said show producers Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh, in a statement.
Ahmed and Davis complete the presenters lineup that includes Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Parasite director Bong Joon Ho, Don Cheadle, Bryan Cranston, Laura Dern, Harrison Ford, Regina King, Marlee Matlin, Rita Moreno, actors Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Renée Zellweger and Zendaya.
The 93rd Oscars will be held on Sunday at the Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, and international locations via satellite. Oscars: Into the Spotlight will air live on ABC. The Oscars will be televised live on ABC in more than 200 territories worldwide.
While the Academy has not released a statement regarding the event, according to a Variety exclusive report, the event will be limited to 170 people, who will not be wearing masks on camera. However, they will be required to be masked during commercial breaks, or off-camera. Upon arrival to Union Station, nominees will receive a personalised itinerary that will specify when they will be rotated in and out, the report stated.
A staff of the Academy told Variety that masks were not required for people on-camera since it was being treated as a television/film production.
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However, a temperature check will be mandatory and the attendees will be required to take three Covid-19 tests ahead of the event. Select media houses will be present, including ABC News, KABC and E!, along with international outlets from Japan, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Brazil, Spain, Mexico and Australia. Only three photographers will be present during the red carpet event and reporters will have to maintain a distance of seven-feet while interacting with the attendees.
Although the event will be in-person, winners will be virtually interviewed by publications.