British actress Andrea Risborough found herself in the middle of a Hollywood scandal when she was surprisingly nominated for best actress for To Leslie.
The nomination came after the film was promoted by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Mia Farrow, Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon and Edward Norton – despite only earning £22,000 at the box office.
But Academy president Janet Yang spoke about the controversy on Good Morning Britain on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s 95th Academy Awards ceremony, saying: “We felt Andrea deserved her nomination fairly and honestly.”
However, she admitted that the academy will review the campaign rules in light of what is happening.
She said: “At the same time – just after the Oscars – we’ll be looking very, very carefully at the campaign rules and making sure they reflect our changing environment.
‘It was a wake-up call’: Academy president Janet Yang addressed the controversy surrounding Britain’s Andrea Risborough (pictured) for best actress nomination ahead of Sunday’s Oscars (pictured in December)
Janet said on GMB on Monday: “Right after the Oscars we’re going to be looking very, very carefully at the campaign rules and making sure they reflect our changing environment.”
Means a lot more social media and how things are communicated. So it was a good wake-up call for us.”
Andrea, 41, was hit with her nomination because many believed her famous friends’ campaign for her film broke the strict rules of Oscar races.
Andrea gave her side of the story, admitting she found the uproar “deeply baffling” and criticized the “disgustingly unequal” film industry after being accused of favoring black actresses such as Viola Davis (The Woman King) and Danielle Deadwyler ( Till) promoted. ‘appreciate’. a nomination.
“It was confusing. I agree with what the nomination means to me and others,” Andrea told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Starting this conversation is not only helpful, it’s necessary. The film industry is terribly unequal in terms of opportunity. I am careful not to speak for other people’s experiences because they are better able to speak and I want to listen.’
She added: “I’m grateful for the conversation because it needs to be had. It touched me deeply.”
Andrea said she is the “bright ray of light” that sees the film and is grateful that her work is being “received”, but admits: “You can’t control how people take it.”
The actress plays an alcoholic who won the lottery and is penniless.
Oh no! 41-year-old Andrea found herself at the center of one of the biggest Hollywood scandals in years when she received a surprise Oscar nomination for To Leslie (pictured scene from the film).
Backlash: Andrea’s prominent colleagues supported her in various ways, through demonstrations or moderated discussions such as Q&A
Hit back: Andrea has branded the film industry “disgustingly unequal” after being accused of costing black actresses such as Viola Davis (pictured ‘The Woman King’) a nomination.
Missing: Danielle Deadwyler in Till was also snubbed for a Best Actress nomination
Low budget: The film, which earned just £22,000 at the box office, was promoted by stars pictured from left: Andrea Riseborough, Demi Moore, Michael Morris and Gwyneth Paltrow
The other nominees for best actress are Cate Blanchett (Tar), Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Michelle Williams (The Fabelmans) and Ana de Armas (Blond).
But the star faced controversy when the news channel CNN commented on “how much benefit there is to having famous white friends.”
Andrea’s prominent colleagues supported her in various ways, through demonstrations or moderated discussions such as Q&A.
Some believed that her famous friends’ campaign for her film violated the strict rules of the Oscar race, as it is forbidden to contact members of the Academy to promote a film or win the award.
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Many of them also posted their support on Twitter, with almost identical statements in support of To Leslie, calling it a “small film with a big heart”.
But an emergency meeting of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last month ruled that Riseborough’s nomination should stand.
A statement reads: “The Academy has determined that the activity in question has not reached the level at which the film’s nomination should be withdrawn.
“However, we have identified social media tactics and outreach campaigns that give cause for concern,” the statement said. “This tactic will be raised directly with those responsible.”
Now the support for the actress is growing: screenwriter Paul Schrader, known for films such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, has announced that he will cast his Oscar vote for Riseborough.
“She has my vote,” he wrote on Facebook. “Go ahead, examine me.”
Actress Christina Ricci said the Academy’s investigation was an “elitist” investigation: “It seems hilarious that the ‘surprise nomination’ (meaning tons of money wasn’t spent nominating this actress) came from a righteously brilliant performance , an inquiry is answered.
In February, two voting members of the Academy told the Mail on Sunday that they would vote for Riseborough.
Meanwhile, Andrea called her Oscar nomination “surreal” and told a friend: “At least now people know who I am.”
She has been praised by critics for years for her performances in films such as WE, Amsterdam and Made in Dagenham, and many consider To Leslie to be her best acting to date.
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Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
