Ariana Grande’s Oscar Nomination Sparks Heartfelt Reactions from Stars and Pets!

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Ariana Grande, known for her role in “Wicked”, received a congratulatory call from her therapist. Meanwhile, Mikey Madison, who plays Anora, was video chatting with her dog. Coincidentally, Yura Borisov, another cast member and fellow nominee, was already celebrating with Champagne in Moscow. Additionally, Demi Moore jokingly commented that she hasn’t regained her spirit yet, in response to her first-ever nomination for “The Substance”.

At the crack of dawn on the day of the 2025 Oscar nominations, EbMaster engaged in conversations with this year’s nominees, such as rising star Monica Barbaro from “A Complete Unknown”, discussing the honor of being acknowledged by the Academy.

    Ariana Grande

    Grande was nominated for best supporting actress for “Wicked.”

    Congratulations on your first nomination. Where were you when you found out?

    Currently in London, I’ve recently stepped out of a bath. Surprise! My therapist is phoning to applaud me. Let me put her on hold for a moment while I inform her I’ll be back shortly. Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, but I’m at a loss for words right now. It’s incredibly challenging to talk due to the excitement. Earlier today, I had conversations with my mom, best friends, Kristen Chenoweth, and have been exchanging messages with Cynthia [Erivo] and Jon [M. Chu] since morning.

    What was your reaction when you heard your name?

    I sobbed. I actually haven’t stopped sobbing since then. It’s been really overwhelming.

    How did it feel to have your co-star Bowen Yang announce your name?

    It seemed incredibly comforting, as if I were back home. I adore him immensely, and he ranks among my closest friends on earth. His style was impeccable, adding an extra touch of elegance. Just his presence made the moment unique. He texted me a word of encouragement just before I set out, and a week prior, he shared his excitement about potentially mentioning my name, saying, “I’ve just discovered that I’ll be doing this, and I can hardly wait!

    What does it mean for you and Cynthia to both get nominations?

    What an incredible testament to our collective efforts that we can celebrate in such a grand way! It’s almost as if we’ve been casting spells alongside Kristen and Idina Menzel. They were both Tony-nominated, and now it seems we share the same stage of recognition, with Cynthia and me.

    Is this better than getting a Grammy nomination?

    Oh my goodness. I’m burying my head in my in my tissue box. [Laughs]. Um… next question.

    Why didn’t Jon get a best director nomination?

    He’s extraordinarily talented, and all the other nominations originate from Joh. He takes great pride in seeing ‘Wicked’ being recognized as it feels like a celebration for him too. We’ve just finished a Facetime call, and I expressed my admiration for him, acknowledging that none of this success would be possible without his guidance, intelligence, compassion, and kindness.

    Who are you going to bring with you to the ceremony?

    I’ve yet to ponder over the arrangements, but I find myself in need of seating for 40 guests hailing from Boca Raton, Italy. Could you help me figure out how best to accommodate them all?

    Demi Moore

    Moore was nominated for best actress for “The Substance.”

    How did you feel when you discovered that this Oscar nomination marks a new milestone in your professional journey?

    I’m not entirely comfortable with my physical self as life has been a whirlwind of extreme highs and heart-wrenching lows. Last night, another fire erupted in Los Angeles, causing me to stay vigilant since it wasn’t too distant from us. This recent event has left me feeling profoundly humbled on numerous accounts.

    In your Golden Globe award acceptance speech, you mentioned that such acknowledgement had been evading you throughout your professional journey. Are you feeling validated by this recognition now?

    I’m deeply appreciative of this acknowledgment, but it’s important to note that it’s not solely about me. This recognition is equally a testament to “The Substance” and its ideals. My purpose here is to serve something greater than myself.

    There’s been plenty of discussion on how these five nominations for “The Substance” might impact the genre category in the Oscars.

    On numerous occasions, I’ve emphasized that this situation could have turned out catastrophically. The similarities between the present scenario and the movie “Ghost” are noteworthy. Interestingly, my youngest child and her fiancé had never watched “Ghost.” Last week, they expressed their desire to see it due to our recent experiences. I couldn’t join them at first, but eventually agreed to watch the second half with them. It has been about 30 years since I last saw that movie. However, “Ghost” stands out for its unique approach as it seamlessly blends different genres, offering a heartfelt narrative with comedic elements. As it progressed, it delved into thought-provoking themes surrounding loss. This has been an intriguing journey of reflection and rediscovery.

    Mikey Madison

    Madison was nominated for best actress for “Anora.”

    You’re a first-time Oscar nominee! How are you feeling right now? 

    Today, I’m snuggled up in a hotel bed here in New York, overflowing with gratitude. Earlier today, I had a wonderful FaceTime call with my mom, dad, dog, and twin brother, and I am truly humbled; utterly elated. Despite the heavy hearts we carry for Los Angeles at this moment, it feels like our community is uniting and honoring film in such a beautiful manner.

    “Did ‘Anora’ receive six nominations, with one being for your fellow actor Yura Borisov? Have you had a chance to discuss this with him?”

    Indeed, I managed to connect with him via FaceTime while he was in his homeland, strolling through a park with his beloved partner, sipping on some champagne. It was such a heartwarming scene.

    Have you heard from Sean Baker yet?

    It’s uncertain whether he’s awake or asleep, but I made a few attempts to contact him via FaceTime. Let’s see if he gets back to me!

    Are there any new faces during this award season whom you’re eager to meet at the Oscars that you haven’t had a chance to interact with yet?

    I haven’t yet crossed paths with Fernanda Torres, but she is undeniably an exceptionally gifted and stunning actress, truly remarkable in her talents.

    Are there any of the nominated movies that you still need to see? 

    Indeed, you’ve got a point. There are a few movies I’d like to catch, but the truth is, I’m quite obstinate, and I prefer watching films in a cinema setting. Unfortunately, that luxury hasn’t been available, so it looks like I’ll have to endure and watch them on my home projector instead.

    Monica Barbaro

    Barbaro was nominated for best supporting actress for “A Complete Unknown.”

    Where were you when nominations were announced?

    Currently in London, I was having a fitting session with costume designer Jenny Egan. She seemed restless, constantly checking her phone. I tried to ignore it, saying, “I’d rather not know anything.” Then, I glanced at my own phone and fell flat on the floor. Overwhelmed with joy, this feels unreal.

    Does the cast have a group chat?

    We maintain several group conversations, including one with Ed Norton and Jim Mangold. This is due to our shared travel experiences in Paris, Rome, and then London. I recently sent them a video from my walk down a street in Rome where someone was singing “Don’t Think Twice.” Now, the messages exchanged among us are all congratulatory.

    Who are you going to bring with you to the Oscars?

    I’ve never given it a thought before, but now that I am, I’m thrilled to be part of the project as an actor. However, I don’t usually get invited with additional guests or to social events like parties.

    Is there anyone you are excited to meet at the ceremony?

    Growing up, I frequently watched Zoe Saldana on screen, particularly the movie “Center Stage” which held a special place in the ballet community for us. It’s incredibly enjoyable for me to converse with these individuals and exchange our mutual admiration for each other’s accomplishments.

    Is there a possibility that you might perform music alongside Timothée Chalamet, who’s set to host and serve as the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” this coming weekend?

    Currently, I’m in London. I’ve got a shoot going on here, but it seems unlikely that I’ll be able to appear on SNL. This news has made me quite down. I really wanted to give him a warm hug and offer my congratulations. Still, I’m determined to catch the show when it airs.

    Yura Borisov

    Borisov was nominated for best supporting actor for “Anora.”

    For the very first time, you’ve been nominated for an Oscar, and it’s your debut in a U.S. movie. How does this unique experience make you feel?

    There’s a whirlwind of feelings surrounding me. The phone keeps ringing and messages keep pouring in, everyone seems overjoyed. Yet, I find myself at a loss, unable to pinpoint my current emotions precisely.

    Where were you when you found out about the nomination?

    We were traveling in our vehicle with my loved ones. The situation became quite amusing as my nomination came up first, followed promptly by the announcement of my name. My wife burst into laughter and tears, drowning out any subsequent announcements with her excited reactions. I couldn’t make out the other nominations after that because she was so overwhelmed.

    Have you had a chance to speak with Mikey Madison or Sean Baker about their nominations?

    We held a video chat with Mikey to exchange congratulations, despite the odd timing – it’s late evening in Moscow while it’s still quite early in the morning in L.A., which is around 5 AM their time. It feels unusual to share such good news at this hour.

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2025-01-23 19:49