The Razzie Awards have issued an apology after targeting a young actress in their annual nominations.
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 “Firestarter” last summer.
Armstrong, 12, was included in the category alongside Hollywood veterans such as Alicia Silverstone (“The Shark”) and Diane Keaton (“Mack & Rita”). “Firestarter,” adapted from Stephen King’s 1980 novel, was also nominated for worst remake, ripoff or sequel.
Following Monday’s nominations announcement, the Razzies received immediate backlash on social media, with Twitter users calling for Armstrong’s nomination. “ignorant,” “odious” and “intimidation.”
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In response, Razzies co-founder John Wilson released a statement on Wednesday apologizing to Armstrong and calling the reviews “valid.”
The backlash “brought our attention to our callousness in this case,” 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 vote on next month. We also believe that a public apology is due to Mrs. Armstrong, and would like to say that we regret any wrongdoing she has caused. suffered as a result of our choices.
Wilson added that in the future, actors and filmmakers under the age of 18 will no longer be considered for the “awards”.
“We never intended to bury anyone’s career,” Wilson said. “We all make mistakes, ourselves included.”
Since 2019, Armstrong has appeared in a number of high-profile films with A-list actors, including “It Chapter Two,” Marvel’s “Black Widow,” and “The Glorias” starring Julianne Moore. She will then play alongside Nicolas Cage in the western “The Old Way”.
USA TODAY has reached out to Armstrong representatives for comment.
Now in its 43rd year, the Razzies will announce their “winners” on March 11, the day before the Oscars. Netflix’s Marilyn Monroe drama “Blonde” led this year’s nominations with eight, including worst picture.
