The white face(s) of Hollywood: Oscars class of 2016 including Jennifer Lawrence, DiCaprio and Stallone meet for nominees lunch ahead of Awards - but there's barely a black face in sight

They are the honoured few who have been nominated for a famous golden statuette.

And on Monday the nominees for the 88th Academy Awards gathered together at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in LA for the annual Oscar lunch.

With the ceremony just under three weeks away, campaigning is now more serious than ever.

However the awards continue to be shrouded in controversy because of the uproar over the lack of black talent in the contest.

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 The winner is: Hollywood gathered for the annual Oscars lunch yesterday, where all of the nominees gathered around for the 'class picture' 

All together now: A behind-the-scenes look of the group photo was put on Twitter. The 35th annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon was held at the Beverly Hilton on Monday afternoon

All smiles: Fresh from her Superbowl performance, Lady Gaga waves for a photo taken by People magazine at the luncheon

But it didn't stop the great and the good of the film world from taking some time out at the event to enjoy for a moment the fact they could be walking away with a gong on the big day.

Actress Alicia Vikander, who has been acknowledged in the Best Supporting Actress category for her work in The Danish Girl, stunned in a short-sleeved orange mini dress that showed off her toned legs and arms.

The 27-year-old Swedish star added beige ankle strap heels for a summer feel even though it's the dead of winter.

Rachel McAdams looked like a winner already in her sparkly mini dress. The Notebook vet has been given a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for her turn in Spotlight.

See more of the latest on the Oscars 2016 as the nominees attend an Academy Awards luncheon  

Mingling with the big cheese: Jennifer Lawrence posed with Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs

Ready for her close up: Underneath her  jacket she wore a bustier that didn't show too much and didn't show too little. A wide belt added a bit of Vogue-ishness

Dazzling in a dark color: The star went with a black power suit that lent an air of sophistication. The beauty, singled out for her work in the drama Joy, looked at ease as she posed on the carpet alone

Look who she made friends with: J-Law, as she has been nicknamed, posed with Room star Jacob Tremblay

Star power: Newcomer Jacob Tremblay chills out before lunch in a photo taken by People (left), while (right) is a look at the people at Table 6, including Tremblay and Room writer Emma Donoghue 

The 37-year-old blonde's pink little sleeveless number had a cute red bow on her chest that was planted just below a lavender jewel-encrusted neckline.

The True Detective star accessorized nicely with a pink clutch purse and pink velvet pumps.

Jennifer Lawrence went with a black power suit that lent an air of sophistication.

Underneath the jacket portion was a bustier that didn't show too much and didn't show too little. A wide belt added a bit of Vogue-ishness.

The beauty, singled out for her work in the drama Joy, looked at ease as she posed on the carpet alone.

Awesome in orange: Actress Alicia Vikander, who has been acknowledge for her Best Supporting Actress work in The Danish Girl, stunned in a mini dress that showed off her toned legs and arms at the Oscar lunch

High up: The 27-year-old Swedish star added beige ankle strap heels for a summer feel even though it's the dead of winter

This is far from her first Oscar lunch. She has already won the top prize for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook in 2012.

Also present was Best Actress nominee Brie Larson who got a nod for her work in the drama Room.

The beauty kept it feminine with a light pink blouse that was slightly see-through and had a Golden Era Hollywood style appeal.A striped skirt with eyelash designs on it looked unique as did her beige and black heels.

At one point her co-star Jacob Tremblay posed with her. The child actor looked dashing in a blue suit and tie with brown shoes.

Eddie Redmayne, nominated for The Danish Girl, had his arm out for wife Hannah Bagshawe. She looked party perfect in her interesting black dress with a pastel finish on the hem.

Glowing: Rachel McAdams looked like a winner already in her mini dress. The Notebook vet has been given a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for her turn in Spotlight

Nifty: The 37-year-old blonde's pink little sleeveless number had a cute red bow on her chest that was planted just below a lavender jewel-encrusted neckline

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In December a source told E! News that she was expecting their first child.

And Redmayne revealed he is trying to enjoy the 'extraordinary ride' of his second best actor nod in two years as he joined his fellow Oscar nominees for the celebratory lunch.

He said: "It's such an extraordinary ride. Last year was like being hit by a bulldozer and it's such a frenzy of emotions that you try to remain open enough to enjoy it and remember it."

'You think of it as an evening event but it takes such a long time, I will have a calm day.

'I promise Hannah whenever we come to LA that the sun will be shining, but it rained last year. We will have a gentle day and relax and enjoy it. Last year I was such a frenzy of nerves .'

Asked if he would have a glass of champagne, he replied: 'Several.'

Flawless: Rooney Mara impressed with her ladylike look that included a dramatic, pulled-back hair do

She sure is in bloom: The star, who has been recognized for her work in Carol as a Best Supporting Actress, looked striking in this white mini dress with flower embroidery on the sleeve and side

Bonding with the costume specialist: Mara (L) and costume designer Jacqueline West (R) stopped to chat

Lady Gaga is nominated for her song Til It Happens To You - a collaboration with Diane Warren - in the Best Original Song category for the film The Hunting Ground.

The Golden Globe winner looked cool as a tall glass of champagne in her silk, sleeveless dress that hugged every inch of her toned figure.

To add even more drama, the Poker Face singer wore her long blonde piled up on top with a few curled tendrils falling over her shoulders.

The singer was got very emotional at one point during the luncheon - according to E! News tears were pouring down her face when she was name checked in a speech at the event.

Oscars producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin took to the stage, and David gave a special mention to the singer for her performance of the national anthem at the Super Bowl.

The Oscars love her voice: Lady Gaga is nominated for her song Til It Happens To You - a collaboration with Diane Warren - in the Best Original Song category for the film The Hunting Ground

Hand in hand again: The musicians looked closer than ever as they posed against the Oscar backdrop

Sizzling singer: The Golden Globe winner looked cool as a tall glass of champagne in her silky, sleeveless dress that hugged every inch of her toned figure

Let's just belt out a tune right here, right now: Gaga started singing a song as she showed off her tattoos (and that rock from fiance Taylor Kinney) next to Warren

He said it was: 'the best rendition I have ever heard, and, trust me, I've heard a lot.'

David has been involved in producing several Super Bowls in the past.

The star was so surprised by the unexpected praise - her mouth dropped open when she heard her name and tears rolled down her cheeks.

According to the website she 'was so overcome with emotion she rested her face in her hands before taking a deep breath to regain her composure and wipe the tears from her face.'

Leonardo DiCaprio was also in attendance - he is in line for Best Actor - up against Sylvester Stallone.

Does he already have his acceptance speech written? Leonardo DiCaprio looked his usual red-carpet dapper self in a dark suit with polka dot tie. He is one of the favorites this year as his work in The Revenant has won raves

Best buddies: The Titanic vet posed next to his Revenant director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Bonding with the action star: The drama actor spent time with Sylvester Stallone, who has been praised for his work in Creed

Man to man: Both acting vets looked put together nicely in their sharp suits; Sly cutely had on a name tag, as if he needed one

This kid sure knows how to work a room in Hollywood: The Golden Globe winner threw a punch at screen legend Sly, best know for playing a prize fighter in Rocky

The pair exchanged pleasantries at the luncheon, and the Creed star revealed he was ready to boycott this years ceremony after the #Oscarssowhite backlash.

The 69-year-old actor told The Wrap : 'I remember I spoke with ('Creed' director) Ryan Coogler when this happened and I said: 'How do you want to handle this? Because I feel like you are responsible for me being here.''

The director is African-American, as well as Sly's co-star Michael B. Jordan, who were both passed over for Oscar nominations this year.

The actor was nominated for reprising the role of Rocky Balboa in the film and is a hot favorite to take home the trophy.

Sly continued: 'I said: 'If you don't want me to go, I won't.'

He said: 'I want you to go.' That's the kind of guy he is. He wanted me to stand up for the film.'

The 'elephant in the room' was addressed by Oscar president Cheryl Boone Isaacs who said, according to The LA Times : 'This year, we all know there's an elephant in the room. I have asked the elephant to leave.'

The lack of African-American nominees marred this year's awards in its early stages.

So ladylike: Jennifer Jason Leigh wore a coral colored dress with black pumps and purse - she is nominated for Hateful Eight

The look of love: Eddie Redmayne, nominated for The Danish Girl, had his arm out for wife Hannah Bagshawe

All dressed up... and somewhere to go: She looked party perfect in her interesting black dress with a pastel finish on the hem. In December a source told E! News that she was expecting their first child

Jada Pinkett Smith lead the charge by announcing her decision to boycott the ceremony with a video on Facebook, which also urged other people not to go.

She was then supported by her husband, Will Smith, and director Spike Lee.

Also at the luncheon, Rooney Mara impressed with her ladylike look that included a dramatic, pulled-back hair do.

The 30-year-old star, who has been recognized for her work in Carol as a Best Supporting Actress, looked striking in this white mini dress with flower embroidery on the sleeve and side. 

Matt Damon chucked the tie for a less formal look; his grey suit and white shirt made him look rather nondescript as he posed on the red carpet. The star is nomination for Best Actor for his work in The Martian.   

Never too early for The Weeknd: The musician, who dates Bella Hadid, has been nominated for his song Earned It from Fifty Shades Of Gre

Pretty in pink: Also present was Best Actress nominee Brie Larson, who got a nod for her work in the drama Room

Her screen son: At one point her co-star Tremblay posed with her. The child actor looked dashing in a blue suit and striped tie with brown shoes

Just two girls ready to party: Larson (L) with director/screenwriter Deniz Gamze Erguven (R)

She wore short shorts to the big event: Also present was Saoirse Ronan who has been nominated for Brooklyn

A winner every day: Acclaimed actress Charlotte Rampling - nominated for Best Actress for 45 Years - wore basic black with unusual footwear. She kept her makeup simple and her short locks brushed back; Ronan is on the right

Jennifer Jason Leigh wore a coral colored dress with black pumps and purse - she is nominated for Hateful Eight. 

Acclaimed actress Charlotte Rampling - nominated for Best Actress for 45 Years - wore basic black with unusual footwear. She kept her makeup simple and her short locks brushed back.

The 41-year-old Titanic vet also posed next to his Revenant director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. 

Going simple: Matt Damon chucked the tie for a less formal look; his grey suit made him look rather nondescript. The star is nomination for Best Actor for his work in The Martian

This man sure cleans up well: Mark Ruffalo, who has been given props for his turn in Spotlight, wore a grey suit with black shoes; also present was Steven Spielberg (right) whose film Bridge Of Spies has been recognized

The event, at which nominees from all 24 Oscar categories mingle and participate in a class photo, kicks off events leading up to the 88th Oscars, which will be held Feb. 28, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, broadcast live by ABC. 

The Weeknd, who dates model Bella Hadid, was also at the lunch.

His popular song Earned It from the Fifty Shades Of Grey soundtrack is a Best Original Song Oscar Nominee. This is the first Academy Award nomination for The Weeknd, who went to Twitter to thank the Academy: 'It can't get more surreal than this. thank you for the recognition @TheAcademy. truly a proud moment.'