Two top-tier actresses were announced as Oscar nominees—but some equally stellar stars were noticeably snubbed including a Color Purple actress that some thought was a shoo-in.
Source: Kevin Mazur/ Taylor Hill/ Film Magic / Getty
On Tuesday morning, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 96th annual Academy Awards, and the Internet’s ablaze with reactions.
Presenting the nominees in every category for the 96th #Oscars
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 23, 2024
This year’s nominations included several wins especially when it comes to Best Supporting Actress.
Danielle Brooks who portrayed Sofia in The Color Purple has been nominated for her first Oscar in the category.
Source: Presley Ann / Getty
The actress, 34, is one of five nominees vying to bring home the trophy on Sunday, March 10 and she recently told TODAY.com what it means to be recognized by the Academy and what a win would signify.
“It would feel like … so many people would be seen,” she said, adding a pause. “That’s what I’m excited about,” she continued. “I’m excited about the potential of having that and getting to take it home for me. But it’s also about honoring the story that was Ms. O’s (Oprah Winfrey) story. She actually lived as a Celie.”
Similarly, Da’Vine Joy Randolph was also nominated in the competitive category for her work in The Holdovers.
Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty
She already won a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award for her portrayal of a bereaved cook in the film and she’s a top contender for a BAFTA.
And while people are celebrating Randolph and Brooks’ nominations for their excellent acting, some people are wondering why the Best Actress nomination didn’t come Fantasia’s way.
Fans Say Fantasia Was Snubbed For An Oscar
Source: Steve Granitz / Getty
Fantasia who played Celie in The Color Purple was completely shut out of the Best Actress category. Instead, nominations went to Emma Stone, Annette Bening, Carey Mulligan, Lily Gladstone, and Sandra Hüller.
The nominations for Actress in a Leading Role go to… #Oscars pic.twitter.com/7C9zdqWUi1
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 23, 2024
Social media is now crying foul as many people thought that the actress/songstress would surely be on the list.
You forgot Fantasia, @TheAcademy
— LookAtDustin (@LookAtDustin) January 23, 2024
Wow, no #OscarNoms for Fantasia @TheAcademy pic.twitter.com/Q4Z8tJYMsY
— kario. (@itsKARY_) January 23, 2024
No Fantasia Barrino??? She was mesmerizing in @colorpurple. She brought such a special gift to the silver screen that transformed the audience and culture. #Oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/AeuGTcD2wt
— Koshie Mills (@iamkoshiemills) January 23, 2024
More Oscars chatter on the flip.
X users are also buzzing about the snubbing of Origin, Ava Duvernay’s film starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor that’s an adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.”
Source: Variety / Getty
Numerous people believe that the harrowing film deserves Academy Award recognition…
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor getting snubbed for an Oscar nomination is the biggest flaw but I’m not surprised.
Y’all please go see Origin. I’m about to see it again.
— joahspearman (@joahspearman) January 23, 2024
How and why was Origin not nominated for ANY major awards this season? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/xa1JtZXtKV
— jujoffer (@jujoffer) January 23, 2024
Dear @AvaDuVernay, keep your head held high. That #ORIGIN did not receive a single Oscar nomination, in any category, is much, more than a snub. It confirms my theory, posted years ago. Once you ventured ‘too deeply’ into world history…a comfort level was ruptured. Keep it up! pic.twitter.com/RUmRY1unnd
— JulieDash (@JulieDash) January 23, 2024
but according to Aunjanue herself, she’s not all that surprised that the film is continuing to be overlooked.
“That part of it… that ship has sailed and that’s alright,” Ellis-Taylor recently said at the Variety Studio presented by Audible while at the Sundance Film Festival. “What I’m excited about is my family members came out in droves to see that film on Friday.”
“It has been…it was overlooked,” Ellis-Taylor added. “What I am excited about is it’s the people’s movie and that people are responding to that call to action. I’m not going to be out in the street…for everything that I do, but that film is bigger than me, the messages in it. It’s based on a book that had something that disrupted our practice in the world. I just want folks to see it.”
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor on the #Origin Oscar campaign: “”That ship has sailed, and that’s alright. What I’m excited about is my family members came out in droves to see that film on Friday.” | Variety Studio presented by @audible_com pic.twitter.com/8iV35trag3
— Variety (@Variety) January 22, 2024
American Fiction Receives 5 Nominations, Colman Domingo Gets Best Actor Nomination For Rustin
In much brighter news, when it comes to American Fiction, the film had five nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor nomination for Jeffrey Wright, Best Supporting Actor for Sterling K. Brown), Best Original Score, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
This is *the* Oscar nomination of the morning for me. Sterling is one of our most emotionally attuned, grounded, and thoughtful actors, and American Fiction is a perfect showcase of his gifts. The fact he broke through in such a stacked category…his nomination is so inspired. pic.twitter.com/Y6OaM7tK9p
— Brandon Lewis @ Sundance 2024 (@blewis1103) January 23, 2024
Congrats to Cord Jefferson on his Oscar nod for Best Adapted Screenplay for American Fiction pic.twitter.com/xKWDeJhBpH
— Wilson – BFTV (@WMorales_BFTV) January 23, 2024
Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction) has been nominated for the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar. #Oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/9dFuxH2j2t
— Brooklyn White-Grier (@brooklynrwhite) January 23, 2024
Also getting his just due is Colman Domingo who got his first nomination for Best Actor for Rustin.
Colman Domingo is a first time Oscar nominee. He received a Best Actor nod for his portrayal of Bayard Rustin — the gay Black Civil Rights leader whose legacy within the movement was all but erased. pic.twitter.com/JaPFLvt8bC
— Netflix (@netflix) January 23, 2024
Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the 96th Academy Awards air live on Sunday, March 10 at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT.
Check out the full list of 2024 Oscar nominations on the flip.
Best Picture
American FictionAnatomy of a FallBarbieThe HoldoversKillers of the Flower MoonMaestroOppenheimerPast LivesPoor ThingsThe Zone of Interest
Best Actress
Annette Bening, NyadLily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower MoonSandra Hüller, Anatomy of a FallCarey Mulligan, MaestroEmma Stone, Poor Things
Best Actor
Bradley Cooper, MaestroColman Domingo, RustinPaul Giamatti, The HoldoversCillian Murphy, OppenheimerJeffrey Wright, American Fiction
Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt, OppenheimerDanielle Brooks, The Color PurpleAmerica Ferrera, BarbieJodie Foster, NyadDa’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
Best Supporting Actor
Sterling K. Brown, American FictionRobert De Niro, Killers of the Flower MoonRobert Downey Jr., OppenheimerRyan Gosling, BarbieMark Ruffalo, Poor Things
Best Director
Justine Triet, Anatomy of a FallMartin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower MoonChristopher Nolan, OppenheimerYorgos Lanthimos, Poor ThingsJonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
Best Original Screenplay
Anatomy of a FallThe HoldoversMaestroMay DecemberPast Lives
Best Adapted Screenplay
American FictionBarbieOppenheimerPoor ThingsThe Zone of Interest
Best Cinematography
El CondeKillers of the Flower MoonMaestroOppenheimerPoor Things
Best Original Score
American FictionIndiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyKillers of the Flower MoonOppenheimerPoor Things
Best Original Song
“The Fire Inside,” Flamin’ Hot“I’m Just Ken,” Barbie“It Never Went Away,” American Symphony“Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People),” Killers of the Flower Moon“What Was I Made For?” Barbie
Best Editing
Anatomy of a FallThe HoldoversKillers of the Flower MoonOppenheimerPoor Things
Best Production Design
BarbieKillers of the Flower MoonNapoleonOppenheimerPoor Things
Best Costume Design
BarbieKillers of the Flower MoonNapoleonOppenheimerPoor Things
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
GoldaMaestroOppenheimerPoor ThingsSociety of the Snow
Best Sound
The CreatorMaestroMission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part OneOppenheimerThe Zone of Interest
Best Visual Effects
The CreatorGodzilla Minus OneGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part OneNapoleon
Best International Feature
Io CapitanoPerfect DaysSociety of the SnowThe Teachers’ LoungeThe Zone of InterestZone of Interest; Sandra Huller
Best Animated Feature
The Boy and the HeronElementalNimonaRobot DreamsSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Animated Short
Letter to a PigNinety-Five SensesOur UniformPachydermeWar Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko
Best Live-Action Short
The AfterInvincibleKnight of FortuneRed, White and BlueThe Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Best Documentary Feature
Bobi Wine: The People’s PresidentThe Eternal MemoryFour DaughtersTo Kill a Tiger20 Days in Mariupol
Best Documentary Short
The ABCs of Book BanningThe Barber of Little RockIsland in BetweenThe Last Repair ShopNǎi Nai and Wài Pó
