HOLLYWOOD, CA — Following actress Kerry Washington's recent receipt of a 'Courage Award' from Jennifer Lopez, and her subsequent deflection of the honor to her cancer-survivor mother, the Academy of Cinematic and Theatrical Excellence (ACTE) has announced a new tiered system for its increasingly popular 'Courage' accolades.

The new system, effective immediately, will feature 'Courage (Level 1),' 'Courage (Level 2),' and 'Courage (Lifetime Achievement)' awards, aimed at providing greater clarity on the nature of the bravery being celebrated. Level 1 will be reserved for acts of genuine, life-threatening heroism, such as surviving a severe illness, rescuing someone from a burning building, or navigating the DMV without a prior appointment.

“It’s crucial that we honor courage appropriately,” stated ACTE spokesperson, Brenda Sterling-Gold. “While showing up to a 6 AM call time after a late night is certainly commendable, it doesn't quite stack up against, say, enduring chemotherapy. We want to ensure our awards reflect that nuance.”

Level 2 awards will acknowledge significant personal growth, public vulnerability, or successfully maintaining a healthy relationship in Hollywood for more than three years. The 'Courage (Lifetime Achievement)' award will be reserved for individuals who have consistently demonstrated extraordinary bravery, like maintaining a positive public image despite multiple scandals, or successfully launching a celebrity-backed tequila brand.

Industry insiders suggest the move comes after a growing public sentiment that 'courage' was becoming a somewhat diluted term in the awards circuit. “It got a little confusing,” noted one anonymous publicist. “Is it courageous to wear a bold outfit? To speak out on a non-controversial issue? Or to, you know, actually face death? We needed clearer categories.”

The ACTE hopes the new system will prevent future awkward acceptance speeches where recipients are forced to acknowledge that their real-life parents are, in fact, far more courageous than they are.

Sources close to the Academy confirm that the 'Courage (Level 1)' award will primarily be presented posthumously or to individuals who are too busy saving lives to attend the ceremony.