Nod uproar ‘deeply impacted’ actor
Nearly a month after her unexpected Oscar nomination stirred controversy and speculation, English actor Andrea Riseborough has broken her silence.
In a cover story for the Hollywood Reporter published Wednesday, the “To Leslie” star reflected on her road to the 2023 Oscars — which was supported by several A-listers — and the academy’s resulting investigation into her awards campaign.
“I am grateful for the conversation because it must be had,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “It has deeply impacted me.”
This year’s awards season has “been confusing” for first-time Oscar nominee Riseborough,
41. In director Michael Morris’ “To Leslie,” Riseborough stars as an addict trying to break free from her demons.
“To Leslie” seemed to fly under the radar after its March 2022 premiere until word of Riseborough’s performance got around via social media campaigns and Hollywood circles.
Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston were among the stars who hosted “To Leslie” screenings. Riseborough said she and actor Mary Mccormack, who is married to the director of “To Leslie,” also reached out to friends to watch the film and spread the word.
When the Oscar nominations were revealed
Jan. 24, Riseborough said she was just as surprised as Hollywood.
“But the very realistic part of me that has been doing this for 20 years didn’t think this would happen,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t think that you dare to allow yourself to imagine that that would happen to something that you shot in 19 days.”
Days after the nomination that happened to shut out contenders Viola Davis
(“The Woman King”) and Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”), the Motion Picture Academy launched an investigation into Riseborough’s campaign. On Jan. 31, the academy announced that her nomination will stand and the academy will work to refine and clarify the rules around campaigning.
“It not only makes sense that this conversation would be sparked, but it is necessary,” Riseborough told the Hollywood Reporter. “The film industry is abhorrently unequal in terms of opportunity.
I’m mindful not to speak for the experience of other people because they are better placed to speak, and I want to listen.”
King to receive Cronkite award:
“CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King has been chosen to receive the Walter Cronkite Award
for Excellence in Journalism from Arizona State University. King, the 39th recipient of the award, is expected to attend an awards luncheon Tuesday in Phoenix.
King has been with
CBS News since 2011. In recent years, she has landed exclusive interviews with singer R. Kelly and Cherelle Griner, the wife of formerly imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner, among others.
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