Hollywood’s brightest stars on what it feels like to be nominated for an Oscar

Published

3 years ago

March 8, 2023

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It’s the biggest night in showbiz, at the heart of which lies the greatest accolade for any actor – an Academy Award.

Their performances have been judged by Hollywood’s great and good, and their teams have been campaigning for months – but who gets the gong on the night is yet to be revealed.

So, with the stakes high, and stars out in force, Sky News caught up with a host of Oscar nominees, and asked them how it feels to be in with the chance of taking home an Oscar on Sunday night.

Michelle Yeoh: ‘It would be the ultimate’

The multiverse madness that is Everything Everywhere All At Once is not only leading the Oscar race with 11 nods, it’s also given Michelle Yeoh her first Academy nomination.

The Malaysian actress plays Evelyn Wang, an overworked laundrette owner transported into ever more baffling parallel worlds in the touching indie sci-fi directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert – collectively known as the Daniels.

Calling the script “a rare gem,” she told Sky News she was overjoyed “to be given a role that encompasses all the things that you want your audience to see and let them believe that you are capable of”.

By centring the story around a middle-aged Asian woman, Yeoh says the movie has opened up new conversations: “Hollywood is global. How can it not include a movie like this? I think at the end of the day, kudos to the Daniels who had the courage to write a story like this with hotdog fingers, you know, and rocks and confetti man, and things like that, where normally people would go like, ‘This is too insane’.

“But our world is chaotic and insane and unpredictable, and we have to learn to embrace whatever comes our way.”

And as for her feelings about potentially becoming an Oscar winner, she admits: “I don’t like that pressure, this is my first time so I don’t understand how intense it is, just getting the nominations was terrifying. What if?! Because it felt like a big part of the world was wanting it so badly.”

If she doesn’t win, Yeoh’s philosophical, explaining: “For Jamie [Lee Curtis, her co-star] and myself we love what we do, we are passionate about our work…

“Getting nominated or getting an award would be the ultimate but if you don’t you sort of resign to it and go ‘yeh, it’s alright, we’ll move on, we’ll find something’ as long as we can do what we love it’s ok.”

But if she does bag her first Oscar aged 60, a defiant Yeoh has this to say to anyone who may question the lateness of the recognition: “When someone says, ‘Oh they’re past their prime’, hell no, we’re going to show you what prime is.”

Colin Farrell: ‘The icing on the cake’

He’s been starring in movies for nearly a quarter of a century, but so far, he’s never been nominated for an Oscar.

But after winning a Golden Globe earlier this year, hopes are high that Irish star Colin Farrell could finally get his Academy Award for his role of slighted friend Padraic in The Banshees Of Inisherin.

The 46-year-old star, who will be bringing his teenage son to the ceremony, told Sky News ahead of the big night: “To do the film, to be off the west coast of Ireland with the cast we had, the crew that we had and reuniting with this fella [co-star Brendan Gleeson} and reuniting with Martin, I was happy.

“Then Venice happened, and we were all shocked at the response we got in Venice and then since then it’s just been like a snowball. So, it’s icing on a cake that we were more than happy to have ravished already.”

Brendan Fraser: ‘Frothy, happy and giddy’

One of the biggest stars of the 1990s, Canadian-American actor Brendan Fraser’s return to Hollywood after nearly 20 years out of the limelight has been nothing short of spectacular.

The 53-year-old’s comeback, thanks to the role of morbidly obese English teacher Charlie in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale, has even inspired its own definition – the “Bren-aissance”.

Fraser told Sky News he hopes the character’s “journey of redemption” will go on to “change some hearts and minds about how we feel about these issues”.

He said he had no doubts about signing up for the film: “Darren Aronofsky is a world-class film maker who has a track record for bringing out very good and even transformative performances from the actors he chooses to work with.

“So, I didn’t have any doubts knowing how good he is at what he does, if anything I had enthusiasm and some hope and some humility and a little bit of creative intimidation, I will admit too.”

And as for the experience of being up for an Oscar, he said: “It’s new to me but we’re all frothy and happy and giddy and happy for this with fingers crossed and fondest hopes for success but who knows what the result is going to be?

“I’m confident and I think that we have a shot of making it to the finish line.”

Ke Huy Quan: ‘A wild ride’

On a comeback rollercoaster of his own, Ke Huy Quan, has worked through childhood fame thanks to Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom and The Goonies, followed by near-obscurity, and is now bouncing back into the spotlight with his critically acclaimed role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. It’s been quite the journey.

Quan plays Waymond Wang (and Alpha Waymond) in the parallel universe bonanza, which has surprised many with its numerous award show nominations and wins.

He told Sky News the response to the film has been overwhelming: “When I decided to step back into acting, I was so nervous because I didn’t know what the audience would think – the last time they saw me up on the screen I was a little kid, and now I’m a middle-aged man.

“So, so to have them respond so positively has been incredible.”

And as for taking the role, he says it was a no-brainer: “When I read the script, I knew it was special. I loved it, it was a script I wanted to read for a long time, and we had the most fun making it, but we didn’t expect all of this.

“I mean, all these, you know award nominations and the audience embracing a movie the way they did is beyond anything we ever imagined.”

And he’s clearly loving every minute of awards season: “I’m enjoying it very much. I’m very grateful for everything that has happened since. And yeah, it’s been it’s been a wild ride.”

Michelle Williams: ‘Always doing something new’

It’s her fifth Academy nomination, but could it be her first win?

Michelle Williams, 42, plays Mitzi Fabelman, the mother to a fictional Steven Spielberg in the semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans which tells the story of his early life.

She told Sky News the film relates to her own experience as a mother: “I think it’s an incredible balance to try and strike and I do think balance is the correct word as it is something that is constantly adjusting and that you’re always looking for your footing on, it really is a give and take.

“Sometimes I think when you’re really serving your work, it’s really hard to feel like you’re being a great mom, and when you’re being an incredible mom you know that your work is languishing, so you have to find a way to go back and forth between these two realities and get comfortable with that discomfort.”

Despite the constant juggle, she says the rewards are worth it – awards or no awards: “I do this for my own sense of satisfaction, purpose, self-esteem, I want to feel a certain way internally about my contribution to this job that I’ve been doing for 30 years that is the only thing I’ve ever done and it’s always about doing something new.”

Bill Nighy: ‘Absolutely marvellous’

The 73-year-old British star plays buttoned-up civil servant Mr Williams, who works joylessly in the county public works department, until a terminal diagnosis inspires him to make a change.

Living is The Kazuo Ishiguro-scripted remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 film Ikiru – which quite literally reminds us to make the most of life.

Nighy told Sky News the reserved and stiff upper lip manner of the film was something he relished: “I’m fascinated by it, both from an acting point of view and because it’s fun. You know, to act in that kind of recklessly restrained manner and I’m interested in it as a thing.

“I think it probably is regrettable and psychiatrists would probably say it’s a deeply unhealthy way but there’s also something kind of heroic about it and it’s funny that you weren’t allowed to express anything really.”

Luckily, he says the response to the movie has been far from restrained: “I feel very, very, very good about it, as you can imagine. It’s been marvellous. People really respond to the movie and they’re inspired by it, which is what it was designed to do. So, it’s deeply, deeply gratifying.”

He even admits to enjoying all the attention – at least a little bit: “As much as I’m able to enjoy anything, I have a negative tendency which I have to really kind of combat. But no, seriously, yeah, it’s absolutely marvellous.”

And as for coping with awards season, he’s upbeat and positive: “I just try and do the day, really. I mean, I don’t sit around really thinking about awards. And it’s been a while since I’ve been mentioned in dispatches, but it’s all very cheerful and fun.”

Martin McDonagh: ‘Exciting and scary at the same time’

The man behind Irish tragicomedy Banshees Of Inisherin – a tale of male friendship gone sour – has been blown away by the positive response to the movie starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keogh – all of whom are up for Oscars too.

He told Sky News: “We thought we were just making a smallish film and we didn’t think it would ever have this kind of reaction. It’s been amazing.

“Yeah, it’s great to do it like with mates, you know, Colin and Brendan are all mates and Kerry and Barry too. So yeah, it’s been a dream, really.”

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The movie’s up for the biggest prize of the night – best picture – as well as best original screenplay, best score and best editing. And McDonagh’s up for best director too.

Despite four of his Banshee actors being up for gongs, he says he isn’t expecting to become the go-to director for actors looking for a nod: “I hope not, I don’t like working! But no, it’s been amazing. And fun too you know, they’re such a nice bunch and it was a joy to make the film with them and it’s a joy to be able to do this stuff with them too.”

And as for awards season, McDonagh will be using the silver-lining approach to cope with any feelings of disappointment should he not get the prize on the night.

He explains: “I’m bad at public speaking, so I kind of I’m half happy when we lose so I don’t have to go up there. But no, it’s better to be in the mix than not to be in the mix. So, it’s weirdly both exciting and scary at the same time.”

You can watch the Academy Awards on Sunday 12 March from 11pm exclusively on Sky News and Sky Showcase. Plus, get all the intel from our Oscars special Backstage podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts, from Monday morning.

Entertainment

BBC chair Samir Shah’s letter to MPs – key points

Published

5 hours ago

November 11, 2025

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BBC chair Samir Shah's letter to MPs - key points

BBC chair Samir Shah has written a detailed letter to MPs following controversy over the editing of a speech by Donald Trump.

Following a backlash, both BBC director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness have both stepped down from their roles.

Mr Trump is also understood to have threatened the corporation with legal action over the editing together of two pieces of video from his speech on 6 January 2021 in the BBC’s flagship late-night news programme Panorama.

While the original programme received no complaints, Mr Shah confirmed in his letter that over 500 complaints had been received since a memo from former independent adviser to the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board, Michael Prescott, was leaked to The Daily Telegraph.

BBC resignations as Trump ‘threatens to sue’ – follow latest

In his memo, Mr Prescott detailed what he called “worrying systemic issues with the BBC’s coverage”, also discussing other coverage, including trans issues, and the war in Gaza.

Mr Prescott specifically mentioned Ms Turness and deputy director of BBC News, Jonathan Munro in his memo, calling them “defensive”.

An apology – by denial of a cover-up

In his four-page letter of response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Mr Shah said following “deliberation”, the board “accept that the way Mr Trump’s speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action”, calling it an “error of judgement”.

He also noted that some coverage of the memo leak, implied a list of stories and issues had been “uncovered”, which the BBC had sought to “bury”.

Mr Shah said that interpretation was “simply not true” and urged for a “sense of perspective” to be maintained when considering the “thousands of hours of outstanding journalism” the BBC produces each year.

Changes in leadership

The BBC chair also said the view that the BBC “has done nothing to tackle these problems” is “simply not true”.

Mr Shah admitted there were occasions “when the BBC gets things wrong” or “reporting requires more context or explanation”.

Raising the point that the information relied on by Mr Prescott for his memo was the very research commissioned by the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee (EGSC), he said the memo “did not present a full picture of the discussions, decisions and actions that were taken”.

Mr Shah detailed changes in leadership across the BBC Arabic team, as well as changes in World Service and BBC News – all of which he said would help tackle the issues raised.

So what is being done?

At the end of the letter Mr Shah committed to three actions:

• “The board will commit to revisiting each and every item set out in Michael Prescott’s note and take further action where appropriate. We will be transparent about the conclusions we reach, and the actions taken.”

• “Where we have put in measures already, in response to the original EGSC research, we will repeat those internal reviews to check the changes made are making material improvements to the output.”

• “Where we have already accepted that items fall short of our editorial standards, we will ensure that amendments to the relevant online stories are made where this was deemed appropriate.”

Mr Shah concluded by saying the BBC would “champion impartiality”, which he said was “more necessary now than ever before”, calling it the “sacred job of the BBC”.

Entertainment

Farage says Trump ‘very, very unhappy’ with BBC – and he could not quote him before watershed

Published

5 hours ago

November 11, 2025

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Farage says Trump 'very, very unhappy' with BBC - and he could not quote him before watershed

Nigel Farage has said he could not quote Donald Trump’s feelings on the BBC before the watershed following a phone call with him.

The Reform UK leader revealed he had a phone call with the US president on Friday in which Mr Trump said “is this how you treat your best ally?”

Politics latest: Farage says ministers ‘only listen to big business’

BBC director-general Tim Davie and the chief executive of BBC News, Deborah Turness, announced they had resigned on Sunday evening over questions about bias after a BBC Panorama special spliced Mr Trump’s 6 January 2021 speech so it appeared he had encouraged supporters to storm Capitol Hill.

In a post on his Truth Social social media platform after their resignations, Mr Trump accused Mr Davie and the “top people in the BBC” of being “very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a presidential election”.

Mr Trump’s lawyers have demanded the BBC retracts the “false” statements about him in the documentary or face legal action for $1bn (£760m) in damages.

Mr Farage told Sky News that people should “put yourself in Trump’s shoes” as he questioned how they would feel if they were the person making sure the UK had security guarantees, and you had been “stitched up on the eve of a national election”.

“What the BBC did was election interference,” Mr Farage said.

“If you put yourself into Trump’s shoes, he made his feelings to me in no uncertain terms – in no unquotable terms.”

He said he could not reveal what words Mr Trump used “before the watershed”, adding the president was “very, very unhappy”.

The Reform leader said the BBC has been “institutionally biased for decades” – just moments after Ms Turness arrived at the BBC’s central London headquarters and admitted “mistakes are made” but said there is “no institutional bias”.

BBC latest: Outgoing BBC News boss rejects ‘institutional bias’

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has echoed Mr Farage’s assertions, saying that she too believed the BBC was “institutionally biased”.

She told reporters on Monday: “I think this isn’t just about the latest doctoring of a documentary about Donald Trump. It’s about the way the BBC has continually covered issues of sex and gender.

“A lot of women out there believe that the BBC is institutionally biased against them. A lot of Jewish people believe that the BBC is institutionally biased against them, and so those are the people that I’m speaking out for.”

Ms Badenoch went on to say that the “complaining” about Mr Trump’s reaction was a “distraction”.

“I believe that the BBC is an institution that we need to treasure in our country, but the only way that we will be able to look after this institution is if it starts to have a little bit of humility and look at its own mistakes rather than have contempt and sneer at all of the people who are pointing out those mistakes,” she continued.

She added: “We need to remember it is paid for by license fee payers. If the BBC is sued by President Trump or anyone else, it is license fee payers who actually pay that cost. So we need to start by looking after them first.”

BBC chair Samir Shah sent a letter to parliament’s culture, media and sport committee on Monday accepting the way Mr Trump’s speech was edited “did give the impression of a direct call for violent action” and apologised “for that error of judgement”.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has urged Mr Farage, Kemi Badenoch and Sir Keir Starmer to condemn Mr Trump’s attack on the BBC, calling it a “serious threat to our national interest”.

In an open letter to the three leaders, he said: “It should not be up to foreign powers to dictate where the British people get their news from.

“We must stand united to defend our democracy from foreign interference like this – even when it comes from a crucial ally.”

Earlier, the chair of the culture, media and sport committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, told Mornings with Ridge and Frost it is “really regrettable” Mr Davie had to step down but she thought “he was right to do so”.

Dame Caroline said the BBC was “very slow to react” to a leaked report by Michael Prescott, an independent adviser to the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards board.

The dossier, sent to the BBC board and leaked to The Daily Telegraph, accused the Panorama special on Donald Trump, released a week before the 2024 US election, of being “neither balanced nor impartial – it seemed to be taking a distinctly anti-Trump stance”.

Mr Prescott also raised bias concerns about the BBC’s coverage of trans issues and the war in Gaza.

Dame Caroline accused the BBC of failing to take his report seriously “until it was too late”.

She said the situation “has to influence the BBC charter decisions”.

The BBC’s Royal Charter outlines the corporation’s mission, public purposes and governance, along with specific obligations and how it is funded.

It is up for renewal in 2027, with the government currently carrying out a review to determine the BBC’s future, including its funding model and mission.

Entertainment

Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn over speech edit

Published

11 hours ago

November 11, 2025

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Trump threatens to sue BBC for bn over speech edit

Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn over edits the organisation made last year to one of his speeches.

The organisation has been engulfed in a crisis, forced to apologise on Monday after two of its most senior figures, including the director-general, resigned on Sunday night.

The defamation claim centres around a BBC Panorama documentary, which aired October 2024 and showed an edited speech made by Mr Trump before the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, in which he appeared to tell his supporters he was going to walk with them to the US Capitol and “fight like hell”.

In a letter dated 9 November, Florida-based lawyer Alejandro Brito set the BBC a deadline of 10pm UK time on Friday to respond, outlining three demands:

• Issue a “full and fair retraction” of the documentary
• Apologise immediately
• “Appropriately compensate” the US president

He told the BBC it needed to “comply” or face being sued for $1bn.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We will review the letter and respond directly in due course.”

‘Error of judgement’

On Monday, BBC chairman Samir Shah, one of the most senior figures still standing, apologised for the “error of judgement” in editing the video.

In a letter to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of MPs, Mr Shah said Mr Trump’s speech was edited in a way that gave “the impression of a direct call for violent action”.

“The BBC would like to apologise for that error of judgement,” he added.

Director-general and head of BBC News resign

Concerns about the edited speech first came to light in a leaked memo from Michael Prescott, a former journalist and independent adviser to the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board.

As a result, BBC director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness announced their resignations on Sunday evening, saying in emails to staff that mistakes had been made.

Mr Davie will address an all-staff meeting on Tuesday. While on her way into the Broadcasting House on Monday morning, Ms Turness defended the corporation, rejecting accusations of institutional bias.

Downing St stands by BBC – but chancellor says ‘lessons to be learned’

A spokesperson for the prime minister told reporters on Monday that the BBC wasn’t corrupt or institutionally biased.

Instead, they said it had a “vital role” to play in the modern age, but needed to ensure it acted “to maintain trust and correct mistakes quickly when they occur”.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves also stood by the corporation, but said that “lessons do need to be learned”.

‘Nothing but an apology’

Veteran broadcaster and former BBC presenter Jonathan Dimbleby told Sky News, however, that the organisation owed the US president nothing more than an apology.

But former legal correspondent for the BBC Joshua Rozenberg also told Sky News that he believed the corporation would “very likely” consider settling with Trump.