Esteemed author Stephen King has urged the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel the 97th annual Oscars award ceremony due to the ongoing wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. As reported by Deadline, King, who is not voting in the awards this year, stated there is "no glitz" in the city amidst the devastating fires, which have claimed at least 27 lives since they began on January 7.

"Not voting in the Oscars this year," King expressed on Bluesky. "In my honest opinion, they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire."

In response to the wildfires, the Academy announced on January 13 that it would adjust its 2025 schedule. However, there has been no indication that the ceremony itself will be canceled. The Oscars nominee luncheon was canceled, and the voting period, initially set to end earlier, has been extended to January 17. The nominations announcement is now scheduled for January 23, while the 97th Oscars ceremony remains on track for March 2.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang released a statement alongside the schedule changes, expressing solidarity with the community affected by the fires. "We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community," they said. "The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship."