Award season is well and truly underway, with some remarkable wins at the recent Golden Globe Awards, where many first-time nominees became first-time winners. Now, the most anticipated ceremony will take place in a couple of months – the Academy Awards. Last night (Thursday, 23rd January), The Academy revealed the full list of nominees for the 97th Academy Awards, which will take place on 3 March (Malaysia time).
The strong contenders, many of whom were also first-time Golden Globe nominees, are back, and we’re excited to reveal who has been selected for the chance to walk away with an Oscar. Let’s take a look at who made the final cut:
1. Ariana Grande
Truly manifesting the lyrics, “I want it, I got it,” from her hit “7 Rings”, Ariana Grande is now an Oscar-nominated actress! After starring in her first major film role as the iconic Glinda in “Wicked”, the superstar has received her first nomination in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category.
“I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise. I’m humbled and deeply honoured to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny Ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ just before the big, beautiful bubble entered. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for this acknowledgement @theacademy,” she wrote on Instagram.
2. Demi Moore
The Academy is finally recognising the horror genre after so many years! Demi Moore has earned her first Oscar nomination in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category for her work in “The Substance”. The actress shared the exciting news on her Instagram Story and expressed her gratitude in an interview with PinkVilla, saying, “Being nominated for an Oscar is an incredible honour, and these last few months have been beyond my wildest dreams.”
3. Zoe Saldaña
It’s about to get even more emotional for Zoe Saldaña. Her work in the critically acclaimed, yet controversial film “Emilia Pérez” has earned the 46-year-old her first Oscar nomination in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category. “I am truly honoured and grateful for the nomination. Thank you so much for considering me for this award. I am thrilled to be among such talented company. ‘Emilia Pérez’ was made with love,” she captioned her Instagram post.
4. Jeremy Strong
Known for his work in “Succession”, “The Romantics”, and “The Gentlemen”, Jeremy Strong has finally realised his lifelong dream of becoming an Oscar-nominated actor. The 46-year-old was announced as a nominee for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for his role in “The Apprentice”. “I have not lost that feeling of excitement; I feel it every time I go to set or drive onto a lot or begin rehearsals. I have devoted my life to the attempt to do genuine work that would be worthy of this honour. I am filled with amazement and flooded with emotion and with deep gratitude to my peers in the Academy,” he told CNN.
5. Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce was actually at an airport when he heard the news that he had been nominated in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category after starring in “The Brutalist”. Here’s what he said to the media who reached out to him: “All I’ve tried to do over the past 40 years is hone a craft and I thank all those who’ve helped me do so along the way. I’m eternally grateful for the lessons and equally grateful to the Academy for this recognition. Thank you, thank you!”
6. Yura Borisov
Russian actor Yura Borisov received his first-ever Oscar nomination in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for his work in “Anora”. The 32-year-old was with his family when he heard the news of his nomination as seen in Good Morning America. He also told the LA Times, “I want to do characters that are better than me. I want to do characters that could give to humanity — to give people hope.”
7. Karla Sofía Gascón
Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón is breaking records. Not only is this her first Oscar nomination, but she is also the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for an Academy Award! Her work in “Emilia Pérez” has earned her a nomination in the Best Actress in a Leading Role. “Thank you so much @theacademy! NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO (Glory to the Dharma of the Lotus Sutra)!” she wrote on Instagram.
8. Fernanda Torres
Another actress makes Oscar history! Fernanda Torres is certainly following in her mother’s footsteps. The 59-year-old is the second Brazilian actress to be nominated for an Academy Award, following her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who was nominated in 1999. “I am deeply humbled by the Academy’s recognition and honoured to stand alongside the remarkable women in this category,” she said in her Instagram Reel about her nomination in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category for “I’m Still Here”.
9. Isabella Rossellini
Can you believe after decades in the industry, Isabella Rossellini has never been nominated for an Academy Award? At 72 years old, the actress has finally received her first nomination in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category for her work in “Conclave”. “I wish my parents were alive to celebrate with me this great honour. And also today with this joy in my mind can’t help lingering in the beyond to David Lynch,” she wrote on Instagram.
10. Monica Barbaro
Being nominated for an Oscar is a huge deal so who wouldn’t get emotional to finally receive recognition for their hard work? Monica Barbaro posted a photo of herself crying on the floor after receiving news that she was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her film “A Complete Unknown”, a Bob Dylan biopic. “I’m immensely proud of everyone involved in this movie, completely humbled to see my name amongst the actresses in this category who I hold in such high regard, and am deeply grateful to the Academy for this recognition of everyone’s brilliant work,” she wrote on Instagram.
Honourable Mentions
Other first-time nominees include:
- Sebastian Stan – Best Actor in a Leading Role, “The Apprentice”
- Kieran Culkin – Best Actor in a Supporting Role, “A Real Pain”
- Mikey Madison – Best Actress in a Leading Role, “Anora”
Check out the official Oscars website for the full nomination list.
