Donnie Yen introduced a performance of best song nominee “This is a Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Academy Awards Sunday despite a petition calling for his removal as a presenter.
The 59-year-old actor, best known for his role in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and the hugely popular “Ip Man” franchise, has long been a controversial figure among sections within his native Hong Kong, owing to his apparent criticism of the city’s pro-democracy movement.
In the days leading up to the ceremony, a petition garnered tens of thousands of signatures calling for his removal as a presenter, citing his connections to China’s ruling Communist Party.
The petition claimed Yen’s inclusion as a guest presenter at the Oscars would “damage the image and reputation of the film industry and cause serious harm to human rights and moral values.”
When contacted by CNN, Yen’s representative declined to provide a statement.
You can read more about the controversy surrounding Yen here.
