Photo: Momentum Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
In typicalAcademy Awardfashion, the 2023 nominations list came with some surprises — but this year, theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' decisions sparked controversy as well.
Her nomination was the anticipated zinger that fans, critics and even Riseborough didn’t see coming — in part due to her various snubs at award shows prior, including theGolden Globesand Critics Choice Awards. The conversation around the actress' nod was further heightened due to the highly publicized, star-studded campaigning in the months leading up to the Academy voting.
“Even with such high praise, making a splash with low-budget indie features, especially during a crowded awards season,has always been a challenge, which is why the support from bold-faced names means so much,” Morris toldThe Hollywood Reporter.
Ahead of the 2023 Oscars on March 12, here’s a timeline of the controversy involving Riseborough and herTo Lesliecampaigning in the Best Actress category.
March 12, 2022:To Lesliemakes its world premiere at SXSW
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“Then slowly, as the film had a few screenings elsewhere — including at Raindance, which was a big deal because we hadn’t had a release in the U.K. — we found people were starting to talk about it,” she continued. “But it didn’t happen right away.”
Nominations were announcedfor the 2022 Gotham Awards on Oct. 25, a ceremony that specifically highlights independent television series and movies. Risenborough was not one of the 10 recipients to earn an outstanding lead performance category.
Instead, nominees includedCate BlanchettinTár, Dale Dickey inA Love Song, Colin Farrell inAfter Yang, Brendan Fraser inThe Whaleand Danielle Deadwyler inTill— with the latter eventually taking home the win at the November 2022 ceremony.
Nov. 11, 2022: Charlize Theron hosts aTo Lesliescreening
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Charlize Theron was one of the first celebrities to host aTo Lesliescreening in November at the Creative Arts Agency in Century City, Los Angeles. “It’s the kind of movie that stays in your mind. It stays in your bones. [It] even stays in your skin,“Theron said, introducingTo Leslieas a throwback to indie movies of the ’70s.
Edward NortonandJennifer Anistoncontributed to the support of the film later that month, opening their homes for private screenings, according to theLos Angeles Times. The over-pouring amount of celebrity-backed support forTo Leslieeventually began to raise eyebrows.
IndieWirelearned from insiders that “word of mouth began roiling for SXSW premiereTo Leslieback in October, when Charlize Theron and Ed Norton came on board to help with screeningsafter a few well-placed calls.”
Nov. 22, 2022: Andrea Riseborough receives an Independent Spirit Award nomination
WhenGolden Globenominations were announced on Dec. 12, Riseborough wasnot among the five actresseslisted in the best actress (drama) category. Those who earned nods included Blanchett (Tar), Olivia Colman (Empire of Light), Viola Davis (The Woman King), Ana de Armas (Blonde) and Michelle Williams (The Fabelmans).
Dec. 14, 2022: Andrea Riseborough receives a Chicago Film Critics Association nomination
After several award show snubs, Riseborough earned her second precursor attention when the Chicago Film Critics Association nominated her for best actress alongside Blanchett, de Armas, Mia Goth and Yeoh — though she lost to Blanchett, who took home the win forTár.
Jan. 10, 2023: Gwyneth Paltrow hosts aTo Lesliescreening
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Gwyneth Paltrow joined the likes of Aniston and Theron, hosting a screening ofTo Leslieon Jan. 10, after which shepenned a rave review on her Instagram.
“For those interested in really great acting I’ll share that Andrea Riseborough’s portrayal in ‘To Leslie’ just knocked me sideways,” he wrote. “It’s about the most fully committed, emotionally deep, physically harrowing performance I’ve seen in a while.”
Jan. 11, 2023: Andrea Riseborough is snubbed at the SAG Awards
Riseborough saw another major award show snub when she failed to receive a nod in the SAG Award’s best actress category.
Jan. 12, 2023: The Academy begins voting for award nominations
The same day that the Academy began its voting,To Leslie’s director Morris opened up toThe Hollywood Reporterabouthis reasons for generating support. “We can’t even afford an ad,” he began.
Celebrities such asJennifer Anistoncalled the film “beautiful,“Zooey Deschaneldeemed it an “amazing movie” andRosie O’Donnellpraised it as a “devastatingly beautiful film.” EvenHelen Huntwrote, “If you’re out there voting for performances, don’t do it till you see Andrea Riseborough.”
Jan. 14, 2023: A Reddit user takes note of the same language celebrities used to praiseTo Leslie
Chatter began on social media, noticing commonalities between the celebrities praising the film. In particular, a Reddit user rounded up a series of their posts and pointed out the stars callingTo Leslie"a small film with a giant heart.” Thetrend went viralon Twitter.
Jan. 15, 2023: Cate Blanchett mentions Andrea Riseborough in her Critics Choice Awards acceptance speech
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To Lesliesupporter Blanchetttook home the Critics Choice Award for best actressandin her acceptance speech, she cited Riseborough as one of the actresses who deserves the trophy (despite not having earned a nomination.)
Jan. 17, 2023: Academy Award voting closes
On Jan. 17, 2023, at 5 p.m. PT, voting for the 95th Academy Awards nominations closed.Variety’s Clayton Davis penned his nomination prediction theory as a result ofTo Leslie’s campaigning efforts.
“Regarding the Andrea Riseborough ‘surge’ that has occurred in the last couple of days for her work inTo Leslie, it’s either the most brilliant PR stunt ever performed or something crazy is about to occur with a jaw-dropper in best actress,” he began. “I’m inclined to believe the former, with only one mention of her film coming from an AMPAS voter, and it wasn’t even an acting branch member.”
Jan. 24, 2023: Andrea Riseborough receives an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress
In January, the Academyunveiled its nominations for the 2023 Oscars, of which Riseborough received a nod in the Best Actress category. The nomination came as a surprise to many, including the actress herself.
“I’m astounded,” Riseborough told Deadline following the nomination announcement. “It’ssuch an unexpected ray of light,” she continued. “It was so hard to believe it might ever happen because we really hadn’t been in the running for anything else. Even though we had a lot of support, the idea it might actually happen seemed so far away.”
Jan. 27, 2023: The Academy says it will investigate theTo Lesliecampaign
Its decision to investigate sparked backlash from actors such asChristina Ricci, who spoke out on the Academy’s reconsideration of the nominations — in reference to Riseborough, specifically.“If it’s taken away shame on them,“the Ricci said in a since-deleted Instagram post.
Jan. 30, 2023: Marc Maron slams Academy for Andrea Riseborough Oscar nod investigation
Marc Maron spoke outin support of hisTo Lesliecostar Riseboroughamid the news that a review of the Academy Awards' rules was being conducted for online campaigning following her surprise Best Actress nomination.
“The Academy is [like], ‘Well, we gotta take a look at this. This is not the way it’s supposed to work. Independent artists don’t deserve the attention of the Academy unless we see how it works exactly. So we’re gonna look into this,'” Maron added.
Jan. 31, 2023: The Academy says it will not revoke Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar nomination
Days after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that a review was being conducted to determine the awards’ rules for online campaigning, it announced that Riseboroughwill keep her Best Actress nominationforTo Lesliefollowing a grassroots social media campaign from fellow actors.
“Based on concerns that surfaced last week around theTo Leslieawards campaign, the Academy began a review into the film’s campaigning tactics. The Academy has determined the activity in question does not rise to the level that the film’s nomination should be rescinded,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement. “However, we did discover social media and outreach campaigning tactics that caused concern. These tactics are being addressed with the responsible parties directly.”
Feb. 15, 2023: Andrea Riseborough breaks silence onTo Leslienomination debate
Riseborough broke her silence on the controversy regarding herTo Leslienomination when speaking withTHRin February, though, notedshe’d only address topicssurrounding the awards campaign or the conversations about race and privilege it’s sparking via email.
The interview began with the actress speaking on her feelings, admitting that she “might understand” the situation “a bit better” once she has “time to process everything.”
“It’s been confusing,” Riseborough said in regards to the mixed response her film has received, especially in light of the controversial nomination. Though, at the same time, noted that “it’s wonderful the film’s getting seen. I suppose it’s a really bright ray of light.”
That aside,she admitted to a “very small” distribution budget, later in an email. “But having had success at SXSW and Raindance, having seen the impact of the film on audiences and having had some wonderful reviews, we all tried to contribute in any way we could,” she added regarding the campaigning.
Despite the intense publicity, the actress' nomination was a moment of “disbelief” to many, even Riseborough.
source: people.com
