America Ferrera’s recently received best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in “Barbie” has taken the industry by surprise. This nomination comes after a long and successful career dedicated to uplifting the voices of young Latinas.
In her role as Gloria, a Mattel employee who brings Barbie to the real world with her vivid imagination, Ferrera delivered a captivating and thought-provoking monologue. The 2 ½-minute speech resonated with audiences worldwide, sparking both awe and criticism. Gloria’s words captured the challenges and contradictions faced by women simply existing in today’s society.
Gloria tells her daughter and a group of Barbies, “You have to never get old. Never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It’s too hard. It’s too contradictory … And it turns out not only are you doing anything wrong, but everything is also your fault!”
Interestingly, Ferrera’s journey to this career-defining nomination reflects the themes highlighted in Gloria’s monologue. The speech itself has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that it oversimplified feminism while others praised it for capturing the fundamental contradictions faced by women. The announcement of Ferrera’s nomination triggered a similar discussion on social media about whether she had played her part convincingly.
Ferrera shares her nomination with her “Barbie” co-star Ryan Gosling, who received an expected nod in the best supporting actor category. Fans couldn’t help but notice the irony of Ken receiving a nomination over Barbie.
It’s worth mentioning that “Barbie” didn’t secure nominations for Greta Gerwig in the directing category or Margot Robbie in a leading role, which disappointed some fans who believed they were more deserving. However, Gerwig did receive a nomination for best adapted screenplay, and Robbie was recognized as a producer for the film’s best picture nomination.
Since her debut in the indie cult classic “Real Women Have Curves” in 2002, Ferrera has been known for her portrayals of ambitious, creative, and natural-born leader characters. In “Ugly Betty,” she played an aspiring Mexican American journalist breaking into a historically male-dominated industry. Her character endured relatable humiliations on screen, such as being mocked for her clothes and background. Despite it all, Betty proudly embraced her identity, becoming a symbol of empowerment.
Ferrera’s role as Betty Suarez garnered critical acclaim, earning her a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and the distinction of being the first and only Latina to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
She also captivated audiences in the coming-of-age film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” alongside Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn. Her character, Carmen, served as the emotional anchor of the movie, exploring the complexities of female friendship and growing up in a mixed-race household.
These remarkable performances demonstrate why Greta Gerwig specifically chose Ferrera to deliver the powerful “Barbie” monologue.
While Ferrera faces tough competition from Danielle Brooks, Jodie Foster, Emily Blunt, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, all of whom have received widespread acclaim for their performances, it remains to be seen if she can win over her skeptics. As one of only two Latino actors nominated this year (alongside Colman Domingo), Ferrera’s recognition follows Ariana DeBose’s historic win as the first queer Afro-Latina in the best supporting actress category.
To stay updated with the latest news from F5 Magazine, visit F5mag.com.
Source link: America Ferrera’s ‘Barbie’ monologue resonates in her Oscar nomination