Oscar winners abound in the press room! From Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges to Kathryn Bigelow — fresh from her historic win for Best Director for The Hurt Locker — and the always entertaining Mo’Nique, SheKnows lets the Oscars winners speak to our readers in their own words.
Mo’Nique talks Oscar win
Merely moments from their career-capping moment, the 2010 Oscar winners share their emotions, triumph and tears of joy on now being called, “Oscar winner.”
Mo’Nique, Best Supporting Actress, Precious
Mo’Nique dazzled on stage with her speech and headed backstage to reflect on her momentous moment honoring those who have blazed a path before her.
“The reason why I have on this royal blue dress is because it’s the color that Hattie McDaniel wore in 1940 when she accepted her Oscar. The reason why I have this gardenia in my hair, it is the flower that Hattie McDaniel wore when she accepted her Oscar. So, for you, Ms Hattie McDaniel, I feel you all over me, and it’s about time that the world feels you all over them. Thank you so much, baby. I love you,” Mo’Nique said.
As soon as she won, what was the moment like between husband and wife?
“When they announced my name, Sidney and I went back to Ramblestown High School on the balcony, at 14 years old, in the 10th grade. And I said: One day we are going to be stars. And he said: You first. That is the moment we went to.”
Jeff Bridges wins Oscar goldJeff Bridges, Best Actor, Crazy Heart
When Bridges won, he went back to a moment with his father talking to him about the art of acting. Looking back, his thoughts?
“Well, you know — ups and downs, what does the Dude say? Strikes and gutters, man,” Bridges said of his iconic character.
“Sometimes Ill think of movies as a great example for the way the world can work. You have all these, you know, different opinions, and all these different ways we can work together. And we can make the most beautiful movie we can make, and we have the opportunity to make this the most beautiful world too. So I hope that furthers that idea.”
Sandy Powell, Best Costume Design, The Young Victoria
Powell, recent SheKnows exclusive interview for our Oscar coverage, was still as giddy as could be which is surprising considering this is her third trip into the press room holding an Academy Award.
Sandy Powell wins big
“I hadn’t thought of that like that. Of course I’’m thrilled to be a winner at all. But British winner, yes, I’m happy for the Brits. But you know what? Normally they don’t mention the costume design. They just mention the actors. When it gets a ripple in the press, and it’s the British winners it’s usually the actors, directors and cinematographers. So let’s see, I hope it will get reported,” Powell said.
Powell’s thoughts on Queen Victoria: ”I didn’t know anything about Victoria. I mean, I mean my image of her was the old fat frumpy woman in black. I didn’t really know she was young once, but I didn’t know that she was actually vibrant and attractive and a real character. You know she was a real sort of head strong, even tomboyish woman. So you know, I’m glad that we’ve been able to portray her as something different, and it’s actually interesting and people enjoy the movie, and go to see it, more importantly.”
Kathryn Bigelow, Best Director and Best Picture, The Hurt Locker
On making history as the first female director to win:
”First of all, I hope I’m the first of many. And, of course, I’d love to just think of myself as a filmmaker, and I long for the day when a modifier can be a moot point. But I’m ever grateful if I can inspire some young, intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmaker and have them feel that the impossible is possible and never give up on your dream,”” Bigelow said.
What would be the Oscar-winner’s advice for upcoming female filmmakers?
Kathryn Bigelow makes history
”I would say and I don’t mean it to sound simple but just to never give up on your dream. And, you know, I mean, I’ve been making films for a while. It’s only about 30 years. So when I say, “Don’t give up on your dream.” I mean it quite literally. So just, you know, be tenacious, but work on the stories you truly, truly believe in, because then no obstacle is too great.”
Sandra Bullock, Best Actress, The Blind Side
Sandra Bullock and husband Jesse James
When Bullock won, a two-decade plus veteran of the business, she was shocked. Further proof that this woman is as humble as when we spoke to her for The Blind Side, long before the Oscar swell started. ”As I said up on that stage, you know, I questioned did I win it or did I just wear everyone down? It’s if you hang in there the longest… I didn’t aspire to this. I was in awe of it. I admired it. I got to watch it like everyone else did or present, but it wasn’t something that I said, One day when I get the Oscar.”
Did Bullock ever expect to win an Academy Award?
”I didn’t think it was something that would ever present itself for me to rise to that occasion. This is the film I said no to. It just was such odd circumstances and things came together in a way that I just didn’t see coming. No one saw coming. And I think that’s what makes it so overwhelming and unexpected. I look at the company I keep in this category and you can’t pick. There’s not one that rises above the others, and I love these women that I got to spend this time with so much for who they are. So I feel like I share it equally in five parts because we ladies need to stick together.”
Stay with SheKnows throughout the day as we bring you more from the Oscar press room!
