The 2024 Academy Award nominations stirred up a storm of controversy, particularly surrounding the omission of “Barbie” filmmaker Greta Gerwig and star Margot Robbie from the best director and actress races. Michelle Yeoh, the winner of the best actress Oscar last year for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” recently discussed the issue during an interview on “Today.”
A Competitive Landscape
Yeoh acknowledged the mixed emotions that come with the Oscars, saying, “Joy and disappointment, it seems to go hand in hand. There’s not enough nominations to go around. The only take is it’s so competitive out there and there’s no guarantee because you’re not the only voter. It’s widespread. Thank god the movie got nominated for best picture!”
Yeoh further commented on the snub, expressing her sympathy for Gerwig and Robbie: “You do think: how do you get nominated for best picture but not best director? But it happens. And I’m sorry it happened to them because it’s obviously one of the most successful and beloved movies. Look at the box office.”
Voices of Disappointment
The snub of “Barbie” didn’t go unnoticed, with Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera, two acting Oscar nominees for the film, expressing their disappointment. Ferrera emphasized Gerwig’s immense contributions, explaining, “Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it. Creating this world, and taking something that didn’t have inherent value to most people and making it a global phenomenon. It feels disappointing to not see her on that list.”
Gosling added his own statement, praising the impact of the film and the performances of Gerwig and Robbie: “To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement. Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture, and they made history. Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees.”
The Support Continues
Even Hillary Clinton joined the conversation, sending a message of support to Gerwig and Robbie that read: “While it can sting to win the box office but not take home the gold, your millions of fans love you. You’re both so much more than Kenough.”
Despite the online controversy surrounding the Oscar snubs, EGOT winner Whoopi Goldberg attempted to diffuse the backlash, stating on “The View” that “snubs” don’t actually exist. She reminded viewers that not everyone wins and that movie preferences are subjective.
“There are no snubs,” Goldberg asserted. “That’s what you have to keep in mind: Not everybody gets a prize, and it is subjective. Movies are subjective. The movies you love may not be loved by the people who are voting.”
Other Notable Snubs
The exclusion of Gerwig and Robbie wasn’t the only controversial snub at this year’s Oscars. Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” received 10 nominations but failed to secure a best director nomination for Scorsese himself. Additionally, Leonardo DiCaprio, despite his acclaimed performance, missed out on a best actor nomination.
Scorsese shared his thoughts on DiCaprio’s snub, praising the actor’s portrayal: “He went so far into the complexities and contradictions of a man who was so weak, so malleable, who did such unspeakable things, but who also truly loved his wife. Leo fearlessly created a true Everyman … an Everyman that people just don’t want to acknowledge. So that will endure.”
To watch the full interview with Michelle Yeoh on “Today,” click here.
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