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British actress Andrea Risborough found herself in the middle of a Hollywood scandal when she earned the surprise Best Actress nomination for To Leslie.
The nod came after the film was promoted by stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Mia Farrow, Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon and Edward Norton – despite taking just £22,000 at the box office.
But Academy President Janet Yang addressed the controversy on Good Morning Britain on Thursday, ahead of Sunday’s 95th Oscars ceremony, saying: ‘We felt that Andrea had earned her nomination fair and square.’
However, she did admit that the Academy will be reviewing campaign regulations in light of what has happened.
She said: ‘At the same time, we are going to – right after The Oscars – we’re going to take a very, very close look at the campaign regulations and make sure they reflect our changing environment.
‘It was a wake-up call’: Academy President Janet Yang has addressed the controversy surrounding Brit Andrea Risborough’s (pictured) Best Actress nod ahead of Sunday’s Oscars, (pictured in December)
Janet said on GMB on Monday: ‘Right after The Oscars – we’re going to take a very, very close look at the campaign regulations and make sure they reflect our changing environment’
‘Meaning a lot more social media and just how things are communicated. So, it was a good wake up call for us.’
Andrea, 41, had faced being stripped of her nomination as many believed the campaigning for her film by her famous friends violated the strict rules for the Oscars races.
Giving her side of the story, Andrea admitted she found the uproar ‘very confusing’ and slammed the ‘abhorrently unequal’ film industry after she was accused of ‘costing’ black actresses like Viola Davis (The Woman King) and Danielle Deadwyler (Till) a nomination.
‘It’s been confusing. I’m coming to terms with what the nomination means, for me and for others,’ Andrea told The Hollywood Reporter.
‘It not only makes sense that this conversation would be sparked, but it is necessary. 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.’
She added: ‘I am grateful for the conversation because it must be had. It has deeply impacted me.’
Andrea said she the ‘bright ray of light’ is that the film is getting seen and is grateful her work is being ‘absorbed’ but acknowledges: ‘You can’t control how people absorb it’.
The actress portrays an alcoholic who won the lottery and runs out of money.
Oh no! Andrea, 41, found herself in the middle of one of the biggest scandals in Hollywood in years when she earned the surprise Oscar nomination for To Leslie (scene from film pictured)
Backlash: Andrea’s famous colleagues have supported her in various ways, through screenings or moderated discussions like Q&As
Hitting back: Andrea slammed the ‘abhorrently unequal’ film industry after she was accused of ‘costing’ black actresses like Viola Davis (The Woman King pictured) a nomination
Missing out: Danielle Deadwyler in Till was also snubbed for the Best Actress nomination
Low budget: The film, which has taken just £22,000 at the box office, was promoted by stars pictured left to right: 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 (Blonde).
But the star faced controversy when news network CNN raised ‘how much of an advantage it is to have famous white friends’.
Andrea’s famous colleagues have supported her in various ways, through screenings or moderated discussions like Q&As.
Some believed the campaigning for her film by her famous friends violated the strict rules for the Oscars races, as contacting Academy members to promote a film or push for an award is forbidden.
Many of them also posted their support on Twitter, using almost identical statements in support of To Leslie, calling it a ‘small film with a giant heart’.
But an emergency board meeting of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last month ruled Riseborough’s nomination should be allowed to stand.
A statement read: ‘The Academy has determined the activity in question does not rise to the level that the film’s nomination should be rescinded.
‘However, we did discover social media and outreach campaigning tactics that caused concern,’ the statement added. ‘These tactics are being addressed with the responsible parties directly.’
Now, support for the actress is rising: Screenwriter Paul Schrader, who is know for films like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, announced he would cast his Oscar ballot for Riseborough.
‘She’s got my vote,’ he wrote on Facebook. ‘Go ahead, investigate me.’
Actress Christina Ricci said the Academy’s investigation was an ‘elitist’ inquisition: ‘Seems hilarious that the “surprise nomination” (meaning tons of money wasn’t spent to position this actress) of a legitimately brilliant performance is being met with an investigation’.
In February, two voting members of the Academy told the Mail on Sunday they would be casting their vote for Riseborough.
Andrea, meanwhile, called her Oscar nomination ‘surreal’ and told a friend: ‘At least people know who I am now’.
She has been praised by critics for years for her performances in films like W.E, Amsterdam and Made in Dagenham and many consider To Leslie her best acting performance yet.
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