In a surprising turn of events, Emma Stone clinched the prestigious Best Actress Oscar for her remarkable performance in “Poor Things,” marking her second win in this esteemed category. Her victory came as a surprise, especially in a tightly contested race against Lily Gladstone, the contender from “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which many experts deemed too close to predict. Had Gladstone emerged victorious, she would have made history as the first Native American to secure a competitive Oscar.
The moment of triumph left Stone visibly astonished as her name was announced by last year’s winner, Michelle Yeoh. Overwhelmed with emotion, Stone embraced and kissed her husband, Dave McCary, before graciously acknowledging her co-star Mark Ruffalo and director Yorgos Lanthimos with heartfelt hugs in the aisle.
“I think I blacked out,” she said backstage. “Yes, I was very shocked. I still feel like I’m spinning a little bit.”
Stone warmly embraced each of the five former Best Actress winners who presented the nominees. Her award-winning portrayal in “Poor Things” captured the essence of Bella Baxter, a whimsical character navigating Victorian London after undergoing a groundbreaking brain transplant. The film masterfully blends elements of dark humor with captivating steampunk aesthetics, creating a visually stunning and emotionally rich cinematic experience.
“It’s not about me. It’s about a team that came together to make something greater than the sum of its parts and that is the great thing about making movies,” Stone said onstage. “I am so deeply honored to share this with every cast member and every crew member. Yorgos, thank you for the gift of a lifetime in Bella Baxter.”
Upon stepping onstage, Stone gestured to the back of her dress, revealing that it was broken. However, by the time she made her way backstage to address the media, the necessary repairs had already been swiftly taken care of.
“They sewed me back in, which was wonderful,” she said. “I genuinely do think I blew it during ‘I’m Just Ken,’” she said, referring to the original song nominee performed by actor Ryan Gosling. “I was so amazed by Ryan and that number just blew my mind.”
Emma Stone now joins the esteemed ranks as the 13th woman to secure two Best Actress trophies, with her first victory dating back to 2017 for her captivating performance in the romantic musical “La La Land.” Her stellar acting prowess has also earned her nominations in the Supporting Actress category in 2015 and 2019.
Adding to her accolades, Stone received a nomination this year in the Best Picture category for her role as a producer in “Poor Things.” Although the film didn’t clinch the coveted award, losing out to “Oppenheimer,” Stone’s dual recognition as both an actress and a producer underscores her multifaceted talent in the industry. She follows in the footsteps of Frances McDormand, who achieved a similar feat in 2021 by securing nominations for acting and Best Picture for her film “Nomadland” and subsequently winning both prestigious trophies.
Stone and Gladstone emerged as frontrunners, each securing wins on their path to the ultimate Oscar face-off. Stone claimed victories at prestigious events such as the BAFTA Film Awards and the Golden Globes, while Gladstone triumphed at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and in a separate category at the Globes.
Stone first garnered attention in 2010 with her breakout role in the teen comedy “Easy A.” Since then, the 35-year-old actress from Scottsdale, Arizona, has solidified her presence in Hollywood with notable performances in films such as “The Help,” various “Spider-Man” installments, “Birdman,” “The Battle of the Sexes,” and “The Favourite.”
Among the other leading actress nominees were Annette Bening for “Nyad,” Sandra Hüller for “Anatomy of a Fall,” and Carey Mulligan for “Maestro.”