We've grown used to the Oscars snubbing those that deserve to be nominated on a year-by-year basis as it's an inevitable part of any awards show. However, the Academy's decision to neither nominate Barbie star Margot Robbie nor director Greta Gerwig in the "Best Actress" and "Best Director" categories, respectively, has led to a global backlash.
It's not just on social media either; mainstream media outlets have covered the news and even high-profile personalities such as former U.S. Presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton have chimed in to criticise the Academy.
For what it's worth, though, Robbie isn't letting it get to her and seems pleased with the positive attention that Barbie has received so far.
Appearing at a SAG-AFTRA discussion about the biggest movie of 2023, the actress said (via Toonado.com), "There’s no way to feel sad when you know you’re this blessed. Obviously, I think Greta should be nominated as a director. What she did is a once-in-a-career, once-in-a-lifetime thing. What she pulled off, it really is. But it’s been an incredible year for all the films."
Robbie is clearly choosing her words carefully here but admitted she's "beyond ecstatic" that Barbie has picked up eight other Oscar nominations, including "Best Picture," "Best Adapted Screenplay," Best Supporting Actor" for Ryan Gosling, "Best Supporting Actress" for America Ferrera, "Best Costume Design," "Best Production Design," and two nods for "Best Original Song."
"Everyone getting the nods that they’ve had is just incredible, and the best picture nod," Robbie said before later adding, "We set out to do something that would shift culture, affect culture, just make some sort of impact. And it’s already done that and some, way more than we ever dreamed it would. And that is truly the biggest reward that could come out of all of this."
"People’s reactions to the movie have been the biggest reward of this entire experience. Whether it’s seeing what people are writing online, or even just seeing how much pink I can see in this room right now...I’ve never been a part of something like this. Not like this."
"I’ve done comic book stuff and that gets a big reaction, but this felt very different. It still feels very different," she concluded. "And I can’t think of a time when a movie’s had this effect on culture. And it’s amazing to be in the eye of the storm."
Both Gosling and Ferrera have been critical of the decision to snub Robbie and Gerwig but it's not like anything will change at this point. Snubbing the lead star and director of a movie that's up for "Best Picture" is undeniably baffling, but that's the Oscars for you!