Lily Gladstone loses out to Emma Stone at Oscars as Hollywood misses chance to make history
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At the recent Academy Awards ceremony, viewers were eager to see who would take home the Best Actress prize, with Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone being the top contenders. Ultimately, Emma Stone won the accolade for her performance in “Poor Things,” leaving Gladstone and her portrayal of Mollie Burkhart in “Killers of the Flower Moon” empty-handed.
Gladstone, who is of Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage, had the opportunity to make history by becoming the first Native American woman to win in the Best Actress category. Simply being nominated for the award was already a historic moment, as no other Native American actress had ever been shortlisted for the prestigious honor. Additionally, Gladstone would have been the first gender-diverse performer to win Best Actress at the Oscars, as she identifies as “middle-gendered” and uses both she and they pronouns.
In a statement to People magazine, Gladstone explained, “In most Native languages, most Indigenous languages, Blackfeet included, there are no gendered pronouns. There is no he/she, there’s only they.” This unique perspective on gender identity added another layer of significance to Gladstone’s potential win.
Emma Stone, on the other hand, secured her second Best Actress Oscar for her role in “Poor Things,” adding to her previous win for “La La Land” in 2017. While Stone’s performance was widely praised, many felt that Gladstone’s portrayal in “Killers of the Flower Moon” was equally deserving of recognition.
The outcome of the awards ceremony has sparked debate both on social media and in the press. Some argue that Gladstone’s loss “shames Hollywood,” while others question the types of art that are celebrated in the industry. Many viewers expressed their admiration for Gladstone’s performance and lamented the missed opportunity for her to make history with a Best Actress win.
One social media user wrote, “Emma was wonderful in ‘Poor Things.’ Really she was. But I cannot get [over] the screams and pain Lily Gladstone showed in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon.’ That forever is engrained in my memory I can still hear the screams. That’s why I thought Lily should win.”
Another user highlighted the need for more roles for Native American actors, stating, “We need more roles for Native actors.” They emphasized the importance of creating significant and meaningful roles for performers like Gladstone in order to truly showcase their talent and potential.
Despite not winning the Oscar, Lily Gladstone has already made history in other ways. In January, they became the first Indigenous person to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress, marking a significant achievement in their career.
While Emma Stone’s win is undoubtedly well-deserved, the conversation around Lily Gladstone’s performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon” has shed light on the need for more diverse and inclusive representation in Hollywood. As audiences continue to push for greater visibility and opportunities for marginalized communities, it is clear that there is still work to be done to ensure that all voices are heard and celebrated in the entertainment industry.
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Best Actress
