Oscar host Chris Rock mum as 50 Cent, Tyrese Gibson urge him to boycott show

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Threat of Oscars boycott draws response from Academy

Growing criticism of the 2016 Academy Awards' lack of diversity

Chris Rock has not been shy about labeling Hollywood racist, once going so far as to call Los Angeles “a slave state” and calling showbiz "a white industry.” But now the comedian finds himself front-and-center for the biggest controversy surrounding the Academy Awards in recent years, as celebrities and news outlets slam the Oscars for the lack of diverse nominees.

Some fellow celebs are even calling on Rock to join in an Oscars boycott. The problem? He’s set to host. 

On Wednesday, 50 Cent posted a photo of Rock on Instagram with the caption, “Chris please do not do the oscars awards. You mean a lot man, don't do it. Please.” 

Meanwhile, Tyrese Gibson told People magazine Rock should skip the show. 

"There is no joke that he can crack. There is no way for him to seize the moment and come into this thing and say, 'I'm going to say this and say that I'm going to address the issue but then I'm still going to keep my gig as the host,' " Gibson said. "The statement that you make is that you step down."

On Jan. 15, Rock shared a tongue-and-cheek promotional tweet for the awards show, writing it is “the white BET Awards.”

But some fans want more and have taken to Twitter to demand Rock step down as host.

However, some famous faces have taken the opposing side, reasoning Rock boycotting the Oscars won’t help the situation.

Whoopi Goldberg said on “The View” she didn’t feel Rock boycotting the Oscars would fix anything. She suggested instead fans should be boycotting non-diverse movies.

"We have this conversation every year, and it pisses me off,” Goldberg reasoned.

Jada Pinkett Smith announced in a Facebook video on Monday she would not attend the Oscars. Pinkett Smith’s husband, Will Smith, did not receive a nomination for his role in “Concussion.”

Will Smith weighed in on the boycott on "Good Morning America" Thursday.

"Had I been nominated and no other people of color were, [Pinkett Smith] would have made the video anyway. We would still here be having this conversation. This is so deeply not about me. This is about the children that are going to sit down and watch this show and they aren't going to see themselves represented."

Director Spike Lee said he will skip the Academy Awards ceremony but Rock can do as he pleases. 

"He's going to do what he wants to do, and I'm going to support either way," the director told “Good Morning America.”

Chris Rock and The Academy did not immediately return FOX411's requests for comment.