Andrea Riseborough’s launch to the spotlight and her subsequent, unexpectedOscar nomination sparked controversyover whether her nomination campaign broke Academy guidelines. The actress is nominated for her starring role inTo Leslie, and after receiving herOscarnod, an investigation was launched into the Academy’s voting policies and the social media campaign by the film. The controversy has also renewed the conversation of racial privilege.
Throughout the evolving turmoil and debate on the subject, particularly racial privilege, Riseborough has remained mostly silent, until now. The nominated actress finally addressed the controversy with THR, according toHuffPost,
“It not only makes sense that this conversation would be sparked, but it is necessary… The film industry is abhorrently unequal in terms of opportunity. I’m mindful not to speak for the experience of other people.”
Director Gina Prince-Blythewood and Viola Davis recently spoke up aboutWoman Kingbeing snubbed in the Oscar nominations, which is their all-Black film. Riseborough seemingly referred to this while talking about the controversy. Others were “better placed to speak,” said Riseborough. Although she said she was, “grateful for the conversation.”
Related:To Leslie: Why You Need to Watch Andrea Riseborough’s Performance
Andrea Riseborough Said She Was “Coming to Terms With What the Nomination Means”
Riseborough’s Oscar nomination followed a last minute effort that relied heavily on support from celebrities such as Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow. Viola Davis and Danielle Deadwyler were expected shoo-ins for a nomination for their respective roles inWoman KingandTill.Following the nomination announcement, Deadwyler blamed a prejudice against black women, “misogynoir,” for her snub.
Meanwhile, Davis went on Instagram the day of the announcement and defined “allyship” as “active support for the rights of a marginalized group.” TheWoman Kingstar went so far as to mention “a ‘grassroots’ campaign,” although she did not explicitly call outTo Leslie, which has repeatedly been referred to as “grassroots” in the press.Woman Kingdirector, Prince-Blythewood, said, “The Academy made a very loud statement, …So I agreed to speak up on behalf of Black women whose work has been dismissed in the past, is dismissed now…and for those who haven’t even stepped on a set yet.”
While responding to the controversy Riseborough said she was “coming to terms with what the nomination means, for me and for others.” Fellow nomineeMichelle Yeoh defended Riseborough, telling BBC Radio 4 she wished “we were all getting Oscars, but it’s tough.” Yeoh added that she has spent 40 years working for her nomination and that “the stories we want to tell are more important.” DespiteTo Leslieand Riseborough’s impressive campaign to claim an Oscar nomination, it’s a tough pill for the new star to realize that should she win, her victory could be tainted as one of the most controversial wins in Oscar history.
