Oscars 2021: Regina King commemorates George Floyd in opening monologue

Actor and filmmaker served as host in ceremony’s opening stages

(Getty Images)

Regina King referenced the conviction of police officer Derek Chauvin and the murder of George Floyd in her opening monologue at the Oscars.

The actor and filmmaker served as host in the opening stages of tonight’s Academy Awards, and immediately expressed relief at Chauvin’s conviction.

Last week (21 April), Minneapolis officer Chauvin was convicted on all charges in the killing of Floyd, whose murder in May 2020 spearheaded international protest and anger.

In her opening monologue, King said: “It has been quite a year, and we are still smack-dab in the middle of it. We are mourning the loss of so many.”

She continued: “I have to be honest, if things had gone differently this past week in Minneapolis, I might have traded my heels for marching boots.”

“I know many of you want to reach for your remote when you feel Hollywood is preaching to you, but as the mother of a Black son who fears for his safety, no fame or fortune changes that.”

Floyd died after Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes, despite Floyd pleading that he could no longer breathe.

Chauvin faces 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.

King’s monologue kicked off a smaller-than-usual Academy Awards ceremony taking place in Los Angeles’s Union Station due to the pandemic.

Keep up to date with all the latest developments from tonight’s Oscars here.