Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Kieran Culkin’s Oscar win should have been just another golden moment in Hollywood. Instead, it’s sparked an unexpected debate about celebrity responsibility in an era of rising antisemitism.
Culkin delivered one of the night’s most talked-about speeches when he nabbed Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain.” But what he didn’t say has caused as much buzz as what he did.
Now Emmy winner Yuval David wants to change that narrative. The Jewish actor-activist has publicly invited Culkin to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. – a place that has welcomed more than 47 million visitors since opening its doors in 1993.
“Your performance was entertaining and moving,” David wrote to Kieran. But there’s a but coming – and it’s a big one. “I was surprised and disappointed that, in your acceptance speech, there was no mention of antisemitism, anti-Jewish bigotry, the plight of the Jewish people, or the Holocaust.”
The timing couldn’t be more charged. Jewish celebrities have largely kept quiet about rising antisemitism, even as hate incidents spike worldwide. David’s invitation breaks that silence.
“In a time of rising anti-Jewish hatred and Holocaust denial, voices like yours have an opportunity to make a real impact,” David wrote. He’s not wrong – the museum’s own statistics show that 90% of visitors are non-Jewish, suggesting its power to educate beyond the Jewish community.
The museum itself sits quietly on the National Mall, a stark reminder of history’s darkest chapter. David’s offered to walk through it with Culkin, to talk about how storytellers can keep history’s lessons alive.
Culkin’s team hasn’t responded yet. But in Hollywood, where acceptance speeches often become political platforms, his silence speaks volumes.
The ball’s in Culkin’s court now. And David’s waiting by the museum doors.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice and Luke, our AI assistant which provided research and additional context.
