The Golden Raspberry Awards, known more commonly as the Razzies, brings attention to the worst movies, acting performances, screenplays, and directors each year. The Oscars' “Ugly Cousin”, The Razzies are the definitive resource for cinephiles who, at least once in a while, want to watch a movie that's so bad it's good.
However, the Razzies have courted controversy in 2022 by nominating a 12-year-old actress, Firestarter's Ryan Kiera Armstrong, in the Worst Actress category.
The fact that Armstrong was nominated alongside the likes of Diane Keaton, Tom Hanks, and Jared Leto was of no solace to Twitter, which collectively panned the Razzies' decision to shame a 12-year-old publicly.
The Twitter Heat Was So Fierce That The Razzies Ultimately Withdraw Their Nomination
Twitter has never been noted for its collective sense of humor, so it should be no surprise that the Razzies' edgy nomination went over poorly:
The Razzies could be fun if they did things like ‘Biggest Oscar Bait’ and ‘Most Egregious Use of Lens Flair’ and not did things like nominating a CHILD.
— Kimberley Elizabeth (@kimmikillzombie) January 24, 2023
He was far from the only one issuing a de facto Razzie to the Golden Raspberry Awards' own performance:
When I was a kid I thought The Razzies were cool. Now, the idea that ANY awards body consisting of adult human beings could include a 12-year-old on their list of nominees is vile, disgusting, and proof positive that this organization belongs the way of the extinct. Bye, idiots.
— Billy Ray (Not the Shattered Glass Dude) Brewton (@BillyRayBrewton) January 23, 2023
Twitter user Crimson Mayhem pointed out that Armstrong is not the first child actor to earn the dubious honor of a Razzie nomination, as Anakin Skywalker once received the same distinction:
Just a reminder that it isn’t the first time the Razzies Awards ruined a child actor’s life. pic.twitter.com/ZxJMPESxjC
— Crimson Mayhem (@Crimson_Mayhem_) January 24, 2023
Yet Some Gave The Razzies Credit Where They Felt It Was Due
Though it was a minority opinion, one Twitter user acknowledged the Razzies' flaws but also noted that, when the Razzies are right, they're right:
The Razzies are generally awful but they always come through with the Worst Screen Couple category. Never more so than the second Blonde nomination here. pic.twitter.com/vLBjDRXyAQ
— Lillian Crawford (@lillcrawf) January 23, 2023
The Razzies Heard The Furor and Apologized
After releasing its nominations on Monday, January 23rd, the Golden Raspberry Awards issued an apology only two days later:
Razzies Apologize for Nominating 12-Year-Old Actor, Introduce Age Limit for Nominationshttps://t.co/0E61BzrUQp
— Variety (@Variety) January 25, 2023
Are The Razzies Still Relevant?
Considering the important role that terrible films play within the cinematic landscape, there is a case to be made that The Razzies remain as relevant today as they have ever been.
However, a move like nominating a child for Worst Actress might lead some to wonder whether The Razzies still stands on its own merits or whether the Golden Raspberry Foundation is resorting to questionable tactics to remain relevant.
At least one person did a background check on the Razzies, questioning whether the Foundation deserves credibility when it comes to deciding what qualifies as good or bad cinema:
Just a reminder of the good movies that got nominated in the Razzies pic.twitter.com/ENcElyuxJM
— Aaron Murray (@AjMurray21) January 23, 2023
One Twitter user used the Armstrong controversy to question the very premise of the Razzies:
The razzies are already mean-spirited & classless, but to nominate a kid is just repulsive & wrong. Why put a kid at risk of increased bullying or worse? Be better.
— Julian Hilliard (@_JulianHilliard) January 23, 2023
It seems as if the Cancel the Razzies movement is gaining momentum:
Maybe it's just me but nominating 12 year old girl for anything “worst” feels straight-up bullying to me. Then again, I never expected any class from this awful organization. No idea why they still exist. #razzies #razzieawards pic.twitter.com/gK3udA6A4G
— Jack | The Reel Talk | 🍿 (@TheReelTalk) January 22, 2023
Time will tell if the Razzies will rebound from this controversy and continue to hand out awards for the worst that Hollywood has to offer—the worst of adult performances, at least.
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.