The <a href="https://vt.co/entertainment/the-hottest-looks-from-the-2023-academy-awards-and-after-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Academy</a> has officially issued a statement about the growing criticism against this year's In Memoriam segment. During Sunday's ceremony, John Travolta walked on stage to give a brief introduction and nod to his Grease co-star and friend, Olivia Newton-John, who sadly died at age 73 in August. The segment began with Lenny Kravitz performing 'Calling All Angels' while the big screen showed a montage of deceased stars and artists like Ray Liotta, Olivia Newton-John, Angela Lansbury, Irene Cara, Jean-Luc Godard, Nichelle Nichols, and Kirstie Alley. At the end of the tribute, viewers and audience members were told to scan a QR code or head to the Academy's website to get a full list of names - including those that weren't mentioned in the televised segment. Watch this year's In Memoriam segment below: [[jwplayerwidget||https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3yFdlEMe-sKUnNGKf.mp4||3yFdlEMe]] Many people argued that some notable names in the movie business should have been remembered in the main event such as <a href="https://vt.co/news/anne-heche-peacefully-taken-off-life-support-after-organs-were-matched-and-donated" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Six Days Seven Nights actress Anne Heche</a>, Saving Private Ryan star Tom Sizemore, and <a href="https://vt.co/entertainment/triangle-of-sadness-star-charlbi-dean-has-died-aged-32" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Triangle of Sadness star Charlbi Dean</a>. In fact, academy-winning actress <a href="https://vt.co/entertainment/mira-sorvino-slams-oscars-for-omitting-her-dad-paul-sorvino-from-in-memoriam-segment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mira Sorvino slammed the Academy</a> on social media after her father, Paul Sorvino - who passed away in July last year - was not included in the segment. Initially, she shared a clip of her father’s emotional reaction to her win at the Oscars for the 1995 film Mighty Aphrodite on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CptwvqwgE0y/">Instagram</a>. The caption was a beautiful dedication to the actor. But she later edited the caption after finding out that the Goodfellas star didn't make it into the show's annual section, along with "several other incredible artists". "Incredibly hurt and shocked that my father’s lifelong, irreplaceable, enormous contribution to the world of cinema was overlooked by [whoever] made that list," she wrote. "We his adoring family, and you, his adoring public, know just how unique and incredible he was. We hope [the Academy] does something to put this right," she added. Mira also shared a USA Today article on Twitter about her father’s snub, writing: "It is baffling beyond belief that my beloved father and many other amazing brilliant departed actors were left out. The Oscars forgot about Paul Sorvino, but the rest of us never will!!" [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/MiraSorvino/status/1635328024060243968]] Now, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has published a statement in response to the outrage surrounding the segment. According to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/academy-defends-memoriam-segment-backlash-actors-left-oscars-tribute-rcna74803">NBC News</a>, a spokesperson said: "The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars In Memoriam segment." "An executive committee representing every branch considers the list and makes selections for the telecast based on limited available time. All the submissions are included on A.frame and will remain on the site throughout the year," they added. <h6>Featured image credit: UPI / Alamy</h6>

Academy issues statement following backlash over actors left out of 'In Memoriam' segment

Top Stories

Entertainment

Fans stunned after learning eye-watering cost of Kylie Jenner's phone case

Entertainment

Nathan Lane says Robin Williams 'protected him' from coming out during Oprah interview

Entertainment

'Little Mermaid' star Halle Bailey is hugged by little girl at Disney: 'Ariel is her favorite'

Entertainment

Selena Gomez reportedly spotted 'holding hands and kissing' One Direction star Zayn Malik

Entertainment

Candace Owens responds to Christina Applegate after actor slammed her comments about SKIMS' wheelchair ad

Entertainment

Emily Ratajkowski and Harry Styles spotted passionately making out behind a car