The Razzie Awards introduced an age limit for nominations after 12-year-old Ryan Kiera Armstrong (pictured above) was nominated for Worst Actress.
In a statement, Razzies founder John Wilson apologized and confirmed that Armstrong’s name had been removed from the ballot. He also said that future under-18s would not be able to be nominated for the awards.
There was heavy criticism after the Razzies – which celebrate the “worst” performances and films of the year – nominated Armstrong for her performance in Firestarter. The film, which also stars Zac Efron, carries the logline, “A young girl tries to understand how she mysteriously gained the power to use her mind to set things on fire.” Efron wasn’t nominated, although the Film itself was nominated for Worst Remake/Rip-off/Sequel.
Among those who criticized the decision to nominate Armstrong was former child actor Devon Sawa, who reportedly tweeted, “The raids are run by soulless people. Nominate a 12 year old? fuck her This kid could be great if you don’t get inside his head.” (It appears Sawa deleted his tweet.)
And his colleague Julian Hilliard, who has appeared in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, also supported Armstrong, writing: “The Razzies are already mean and classless, but nominating a child is just gross & wrong. Why put a child at increased risk of bullying or worse? Be better.”
The raids are mean and classless, but nominating a kid is just gross and wrong. Why put a child at increased risk of bullying or worse? be better
— Julian Hilliard (@_JulianHilliard) January 23, 2023
In a statement, Wilson called the criticism “valid” and said Armstrong’s name had been removed from the ballot. He added: “We also believe that Ms. Armstrong is owed a public apology and would like to say that we regret any harm she has suffered as a result of our decisions.”
Read the full statement below:
Sometimes you do things without thinking, then you are called to do it. Then you get it. This is why the Razzies were created in the first place.
Recent valid criticism of the selection of 11-year-old Armstrong as a nominee for one of our awards has made us aware of how insensitive we have been in this case. Because of this, we removed Armstrong’s name from the final vote our members will cast next month. We also believe that Ms. Armstrong is owed a public apology and wish to say that we regret any injuries she has suffered as a result of our decisions.
Having learned this lesson, we would also like to announce that as of this date, we are adopting a voting policy that precludes any artist or filmmaker under the age of 18 from being considered for our awards.
It was never our intention to bury anyone’s career. That’s why our Redeemer Award was created. We all make mistakes, including ourselves.
Since our motto is “Own Your Bad”, we are aware that we have to live up to this ourselves.
sincerely,
John Wilson, The Razzie Awards