LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- In spite of Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences regulations, the group is allowing U.S. TV host Oprah Winfrey to make film recommendations.
While the cinematic group typically forbids its voting members to publicly support nominees, Daily Variety reported that the popular TV host is immune to such limitations.
"There are a small number of members for which editorializing on movies is integral to their work," Academy executive Ric Robertson explained. "There's a slightly different standard that we hold them to."
While other Academy members have been strongly chastised for their violations of the organization's rule, Winfrey will apparently be allowed to continue her outspoken opinions on movies and Oscars.
To date Winfrey, who is heading up a pair of new philanthropic television series, has offered her support to "Dreamgirls" actress Jennifer Hudson, and actors Will Smith and Forest Whitaker for "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "The Last King of Scotland," respectively.
