Lily Gladstone recently shared her experience of attending awards ceremonies, likening them to the intense competition seen in the popular Netflix show, Squid Game. She discussed the challenges of wearing shapewear, needing to take bathroom breaks during commercial breaks, and the chaotic rush to meet idols like Meryl Streep in between. Despite the hectic nature of these events, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Indigenous women in the industry and deliver part of her acceptance speech in the Blackfoot language.
Gladstone’s win at the Golden Globes for best actress in a drama marked a significant moment as the first Indigenous woman to achieve this recognition. She emphasized that her success was not just for herself but for every Native child with a dream of seeing their stories told authentically on screen. Her role in Martin Scorsese’s film, Killers of the Flower Moon, shed light on a dark chapter in history, but ultimately lost out on the best actress Oscar to Emma Stone for Poor Things.
The article also highlighted the skepticism expressed by various celebrities towards the awards circuit, citing Joaquin Phoenix, John Gielgud, Woody Allen, Anthony Hopkins, and Katharine Hepburn as examples. The late Glenda Jackson went as far as calling the whole process “a shebang of nonsense” and criticized the shift towards focusing on fashion and glamour rather than the art of cinema. She observed that award shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes have become more about competition between themselves rather than celebrating the true essence of filmmaking.
These insights from industry insiders shed light on the complexities and challenges of navigating the awards season, showcasing the mix of emotions, experiences, and perspectives that shape the entertainment industry. As viewers, we are reminded that behind the glitz and glamour of the red carpet lies a world of intense competition, personal struggles, and the ongoing quest for recognition and authenticity in storytelling.