While never known for their kindness, the Golden Raspberry Awards may have actually gone too far this year.
The awards—known to many as the Razzies—counter the positivity of awards season by nominating their picks for worst performances of the year as they have for the past four decades.
However the Razzies were put on blast after nominating 12-year-old child actor Ryan Kiera Armstrong for this year's Worst Actress Award.
Armstrong starred in the second adaptation of Stephen King's Firestarter as Charlie McGee alongside Zac Efron. She was 11-years-old during filming.
While the film itself was not a box office success, many on social media noted Armstrong had no control over the script.
Last year, Rolling Stone even published:
"Armstrong does her best in a mostly impossible role."
People on Twitter were quick to call out the Razzies for the nomination.
\u201cThe Razzies have sunk to a new low by nominating an eleven-year-old girl \u2014 whose performance I actually dug. \n\nIf you\u2019re gonna continue denigrating people\u2019s hard work \u2014 which you shouldn\u2019t \u2014 at least target adults.\u201d— Joe Russo (@Joe Russo) 1674497780
\u201cThe Razzies could be fun if they did things like \u2018Biggest Oscar Bait\u2019 and \u2018Most Egregious Use of Lens Flair\u2019 and not did things like nominating a CHILD.\u201d— Kimberley Elizabeth (@Kimberley Elizabeth) 1674520504
\u201cRazzies are the scum of the film world. I spoke with Ryan Keira Armstrong on the Firestarter junket \u2014 she was exstatic to hear me say how wonderful her performance was (and it genuinely is). This must be gutting for any upcoming performer.\u201d— Dave Lee (@Dave Lee) 1674482987
\u201cWe're picking on 12 year old girls now, Razzies? Cool cool cool.\u201d— Bill Brasky (@Bill Brasky) 1674497821
\u201cThe Razzies nominating Ryan Kiera Armstrong for Worst Actress as if she was the cause of FIRESTARTER being so bad is hysterical. That girl was the best part of that mess of a movie. And on top of that, no kid should ever be nominated for an award that punches down on them.\u201d— Shannon of the Dead \ud83e\udddf\u200d\u2640\ufe0f (@Shannon of the Dead \ud83e\udddf\u200d\u2640\ufe0f) 1674610526
\u201cThe razzies are already mean-spirited & classless, but to nominate a kid is just repulsive & wrong. Why put a kid at risk of increased bullying or worse? Be better.\u201d— Julian Hilliard (@Julian Hilliard) 1674501923
\u201cThe Razzies have a history of mainly focusing on womens\u2019 performances and now they\u2019ve nominated a 12 year old girl for her performance in Firestarter? Really not cool.\u201d— Matthew Robert Davies (@Matthew Robert Davies) 1674498566
\u201cThe Razzies nominating Ryan Kiera Armstrong for "Worst Actress" is so completely ignorant and cynical I can't wrap my head around it. They have no clue what this can do to a child actress who probably considered her starring role in FIRESTARTER as a high point in her life. (1/7)\u201d— Brandon Hardesty (@Brandon Hardesty) 1674529956
\u201ca little creepy for an awards body made up of adults to publicly humiliate a child #Razzies\u201d— Joshua \u201cthat 10th slot\u201d Gynther (@Joshua \u201cthat 10th slot\u201d Gynther) 1674464666
\u201cThe Razzies have always been a pathetic excuse for\u2026 something\u2026 but nominating a child is particularly egregious for so many reasons. Shut it all down.\u201d— Maxwell \u201cSwell\u201d Haddad \ud83e\udde1\ud83d\udc99 (@Maxwell \u201cSwell\u201d Haddad \ud83e\udde1\ud83d\udc99) 1674515687
Razzies cofounder John Wilson spoke with BuzzFeed News and stated while about 1,100 voting members put Armstrong in fifth place, they debated whether or not to include her.
They originally decided to respect the decision of the voters.
"I can see how it could be taken [as mean]. I don't think that was how it was meant."
"I think people who get upset about it—I don't even know how to say this. The rage is interesting—perhaps somewhat justified, but I think overblown."
Of the outrage sparked by Armstrong's nomination, Wilson said:
"There's a righteousness about it. It's the Razzie Awards, for goodness' sake!"
"The intent was to be funny. In this particular instance, we seem to have misstepped very badly."
"I would admit that."
However they ultimately changed their tune.
The Razzie Awards just tweeted:
"In light of feedback (which we've come to agree with) the @RazzieAwards will not be including Ryan Kiera Armstrong on the final voting ballot."
They finished the tweet by ttaggingformer child actor Devon Sawa who earlier had some choice words about the nomination.
\u201cIn light of feedback (which we\u2019ve come to agree with) the @RazzieAwards will not be including Ryan Kiera Armstrong on the final voting ballot. @DevonESawa\u201d— The Razzie\u00ae Awards (@The Razzie\u00ae Awards) 1674607191
The public's voices were heard.
While many stars have good fun with their Razzie Awards, let's keep children—who have extremely limited control over their careers—out of it.
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