Anthony Anderson did not shy away from addressing a hot topic at the 47th annual NAACP Image Awards on Friday.
The comedian went right for the big issue of the year in Hollywood - the lack of diversity in the Oscar nominations - as soon as he hit the stage.
Dressed in a white shirt and gold chain, the 45-year-old performer quickly singled out the two actors who have led a boycott on this year's Academy Awards - actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett.
Calling it: Anthony Anderson addresses the lack of diversity with the Oscar nomination when he took the stage to host Friday's NAACP Awards
Side by side: Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband Will were singled out by Anderson for all the 'ish' they started by boycotting the Academy Awards this year
The Barbershop star began: 'Look at all these beautiful shades of people in the audience. Hollywood needs to know that this is what diversity is supposed to look like, right?'
He then brought up the power couple that sat in the crowd.
'Will and Jada in our audience tonight,' announced the Law & Order regular.
'Hell, they better be here after all this ish they started.' The room roared with laughter.
Ish is slang for the word s***. Rap artists use it in place of profanity so their songs can get radio play.
The talk of the town: 'Will and Jada in our audience tonight,' announced Anderson. 'Hell, they better be here after all this ish they started.' The room roared with laughter
Will recently clarified to BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show that the decision to boycott the Oscars was not about whether he personally received a nomination.
'This is an issue of a really regressive trend, not just in Hollywood but in my country,' he said.
'It’s not about me or being nominated.'
Many people expected Will to pick up a lead actor nomination for his role in Concussion.
The film documents the struggle of Nigerian forensic pathologist Dr Bennet Omalu against America's National Football League.
Not mincing words: The Barbershop star began: 'Look at all these beautiful shades of people in the audience. Hollywood needs to know that this is what diversity is supposed to look like, right?'; here he is seen accepting an award for Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series for Black-ish
He also said he was not aware his better half would speak out on the lack of diversity.
She made headlines around the world in January by posting a video detailing her decision to boycott the Oscars.
He only learned that he would not be attending the Academy Awards when questioned by the media.
'I was out of the country when she made the video,' the actor explained on BBC.
'I was in Thailand. And I get off of the plane and you know, the paparazzi [were like], "Will, Will, you're not going to the Oscars! What do you think about Jada's video?"
Pretty date: The star posing with Naturi Naughton at the NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, California
'"Um, I think, give me a second, let me call-" I had no idea. I had no idea and I'm like, "Babe, you gotta give a fellow a little heads up, you know? Just a lil something, just, "Hey babe, you know, hit me before you walk out of the airport." You know, give me, give me something."'
'I got in the car and Googled and watched the video,' he added. 'I was like, "Honey, is there anything you need to tell me?" She said, "Oh, I didn't want to bother you on vacation."
'"Uh, you did. You really did."'
A lot of talent: Pinkett with (from left) Don Cheadle, Spike Lee, Will, Laurence Fishburne and Terrence Howard
Will also clarified that the decision to boycott the Oscars was not about whether he personally
Will, 47, was nominated for the prized acting gong for his role in the drama Concussion at the NAACPs.
However, the actor lost out to Michael B. Jordan, who was instead awarded Outstanding Actor In A Motion Picture for his role in Creed.
Anderson did not stop with his intro.
He also sprinkled his time on stage with other references to the Oscar debate.
He sang his own rendition of N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton, changing the lyrics, hitting out at the Academy. The big-screen staple also took aim at actress Stacey Dash, who recently called for Black History Month and the NAACP Image Awards to end.
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