Russell Crowe delivers politically charged opening speech at the 2021 AACTA Awards

Russell Crowe opened the 2021 AACTA Awards with a politically charged speech, urging the star-studded crowd to ‘use your voice’.

The 57-year-old actor admitted he was “supposed to tell winners to be as efficient and apolitical as possible in their acceptance speeches.”

“But this is the Australian Academy of Film and Television Arts – that last word ‘arts’, in my opinion, is your license to be as political as you want,” he began.

“Be as active in your community as needed. As loud, on behalf of those without a voice yet, as you need to be.

“As artists, you have the right to overthrow empires. Hold mirrors for hypocrisy. To light up the dark corners and bring humanity into the political discourse in ways that other professions simply cannot.

‘Respect that. Use your voice. So like I said, if you win, by all means, share your joy, give your thanks, take your moment … effectively.

“As artists, you have the right to overthrow empires. Hold mirrors for hypocrisy. To light up the dark corners and bring humanity into the political discourse in a way that other professions simply cannot, ”he said.

Story: He then handed the mic over to Rebel Wilson (left), who recounted his first meeting with the Gladiator star

He then handed the mic over to Rebel Wilson, who recounted his first meeting with the Gladiator star.

“I have to tell you a story about the very first time I met Russell. I was a young actor. I was 19, ”the 41-year-old actress began.

‘And, uh, he was sitting there having dinner with Nicole Kidman at STC [Sydney Theatre Company]. And I was like, “Oh, my God.”

“You know he gave me a hug a few years ago. And then he whispered gently in my ear, “I thought I told you to fuck yourself,” Rebel said.

“And I walked over to them and I was really nervous, and he turned to me and he looked me right in the eye, and he just said, ‘F ** k off. “It’s a true story.

She added, “You know, he still hugged me a few years ago. And then he whispered sweetly in my ear,” I thought I told you to fuck yourself. “

More soon.