Keep checking back atEW.comthis week for spotlights on contenders in all the major categories.
Its easy to see why.
The late musician is a complicated figure in the film, feeling like an outsider despite his success.
On stage, hes lauded by white audiences, but off, hes shunned.
Though hes black, he isnt familiar with popular black culture.
He couldnt find his community, and that quietly plagues him, he explains.
He voices it, and its still something he has to wrestle with after its voiced.
He was not able to exist fully in any world.
Off-screen, however, the film has landed in hot water over its portrayal of Shirley.
Members of the late musicians familydenounced its characterization of the pianist, prompting Ali himself to reportedly apologize.
I got a call from Mahershala Ali, a very, very respectful phone call, from him personally.
What he said was, If I have offended you, I am so, so terribly sorry.
I did the best I could with the material I had.
In a statement after the nominations were announced, Ali thanked the Academy before going on to honor Shirley.
A man who had experiences and a combination of qualities that I had yet to see on film.
Im tremendously grateful for the lessons I learned through both his struggles and successes.
For more on the nominees, pick up this weeksEntertainment Weekly, available on stands Friday.
