Stars react to their 2025 acting Oscar nominations: ‘I’m still trying to breathe’

The 2025 Oscar nominations are here, and there are a lot of emotions!

Bowen Yang, who starred in Wicked, and Rachel Sennott, who starred in Saturday Night, announced the nominees early Thursday morning. The Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez led with 13 nominations, while The Brutalist and Wicked followed with 10 nominations each.

Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and pope drama Conclave also nabbed eight nominations each, while Anora received six. Meanwhile, Coralie Fargeat’s campy body horror The Substance received five nominations.

Below, see how nominees Demi Moore, Colman Domingo, Ariana Grande, and more reacted to being nominated.

Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave” (Best Supporting Actress)

“When I was young, I was always identified as the daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini. As I’ve gotten older, this doesn’t happen as frequently; and, I miss it, especially today. I wish my parents were alive to celebrate with me this great honor. And, also, today, with this joy, my mind can’t help lingering in the beyond to David Lynch. Our collaboration was key to my understanding of the art of acting. It is my past, all that I have in me, that I brought to my interpretation of Sister Agnes in the film Conclave, working under the clear, sharp direction of Edward Berger his incredible cast and crew, especially the incomparable Ralph Fiennes. Thank you to the Academy. I am very honored.”

Demi Moore, “The Substance” (Best Actress)

“Being nominated for an Oscar is an incredible honor and these last few months have been beyond my wildest dreams. Truly, there are no words to fully express my joy and overwhelming gratitude for this recognition. Not only for me but for what this film represents. I am deeply humbled. This is a time of incredible contrasts and right now, my heart is with my friends, family, neighbors, and community here in L.A. The fires have devastated so many lives but to see the way our community has united leaves me in awe of the resilience and compassion that defines us, and this moment is a reminder of how incredible we are when we stand together.”

Ariana Grande, “Wicked” (Best Supporting Actress)

On Instagram, Grande wrote: “Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition. i cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise. i’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered. i’m so proud of you, tiny. thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for this acknowledgment @theacademy. Thank you @jonmchu for taking this chance on me and for being the most unbelievably brilliant leader, human being, and most fierce friend. i am so deeply proud of my beautiful Wicked family. i am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo. your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. i love you unconditionally, always.

“I don’t quite have all my words yet, i’m still trying to breathe. but thank you. oh my goodness, thank you. Universal, Marc, my family, my heart. lemons and melons and pears, oh my.”

Yura Borisov, “Anora” (Best Supporting Actor)

“As an actor, you never dare to dream that something like this could happen — especially for your first English-language role. To now find myself here, alongside such performances, is profoundly humbling and deeply surreal. Thank you to the Academy for this extraordinary honor.

This recognition would not be possible without our fearless director, Sean Baker, whose vision and trust brought us all on this remarkable journey. And it has been a joy to share that journey with such an exceptional ensemble cast, led by our “Ani” — Mikey, and my fellow henchmen Karren, Vache, Mark — and our extraordinary team who helped bring Anora to audiences around the world. It’s been the privilege of a lifetime to be part of it all. Like Sean, the entire team in front and behind the camera has been quietly and steadily working for years, hoping — but never expecting — for all the dreams to come true. It’s an unbelievable feeling when it does. My heart is full of gratitude.”

Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing” (Best Actor)

“To be back again at the Oscar nominations table is truly meaningful to me, especially for the work that Sing Sing represents. Work which truly hopes to shine bright loving light into dark places by using art. I am so thrilled for our company which also received nominations for adapted screenplay and original song. All of that work is so tender and hopeful just like our film. I couldn’t be prouder as an actor or producer. “

Karla Sofía Gascón, “Emilia Pérez” (Best Actress)

“Thank you so much @theacademy @emiliaperezfilm,” Gascón wrote in an Instagram post celebrating the news.

Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez” (Best Supporting Actress)

“I don’t think I can properly express the deep levels of gratitude and joy I feel for the recognition Emilia Pérez has been given. Being part of the beautiful family Jacques created was a dream and every single person involved poured their love into telling this powerful story. I’m especially grateful to Karla, whose bravery and talent brought so much depth and authenticity to Emilia. It’s a bittersweet moment as our community in Los Angeles is processing the heartbreaking losses from the ongoing fires — homes, schools, businesses and entire neighborhoods. My heart is with all those affected and I’m sending endless love and appreciation to our fearless first responders and everyone working to help rebuild our city.”

Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist” (Best Supporting Actor)

“Wow, what amazing news to receive as I waited for my bags at Melbourne airport! I’m so humbled by this Oscar nomination and truly grateful to be sharing it with so many of our brilliant Brutalist collaborators! All I’ve tried to do over the past 40 years is hone a craft and I thank all those who’ve helped me do so along the way. I’m eternally grateful for the lessons and equally grateful to the Academy for this recognition. Thank you, thank you!”

Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice” (Best Supporting Actor)

“This morning’s nomination is indescribably meaningful to me. This film has been an uphill battle every step of the way and faced inestimable resistance on every front. It feels absolutely miraculous to me that both Sebastian [Stan] and I were recognized. Roy Cohn’s long, dark shadow was hanging over the Capitol Rotunda on Monday and his legacy of aggression, misinformation and untruth is now a Kingdom Come. This is a harrowing and courageous film that explores how we got to where we are today and was the role of a lifetime. Today’s nomination is, without overstatement, a realization of a lifelong dream. I remember spending the night on cold metal bleachers outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 1993 with my father to watch the actors and actresses arrive at the 65th Academy Awards. I remember being unable to sleep because of how exciting it was to be close to that world. I have not lost that feeling of excitement; I feel it every time I go to set or drive onto a lot or begin rehearsals. I have devoted my life to the attempt to do genuine work that would be worthy of this honor. I am filled with amazement and flooded with emotion and with deep gratitude to my peers in the Academy.”

Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist” (Best Actor)

“Thank you to all my peers and colleagues at the Academy for this extraordinary honor. For almost four decades, I’ve experienced the peaks and valleys of being an artist. It’s given me perspective and a tremendous appreciation and respect for this moment. Portraying László Tóth, and representing the hardships and yearnings of so many, including the very struggles of my own family, has rekindled my own sense of being and belonging, and believing again. Sharing this profound experience with our talented and dedicated cast and crew on The Brutalist has been a rare gift that I am endlessly grateful for. Thank you for honoring us all with this recognition, I am only here through the support of many; I am truly humbled and will cherish this momentous occasion forever.”

Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave” (Best Actor)

“I’m thrilled to be nominated and to be celebrating the other nominations for Conclave. Edward Berger brought an extraordinary cast and crew together — he is an inspirational director with rare insight and a unique vision which lies at the heart of this film.”

Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here” (Best Actress)

“I am deeply humbled by the Academy’s recognition and honored to stand alongside the remarkable women in this category. Portraying Eunice Paiva was an immense privilege, as it allowed me to embody a woman whose life was defined by extraordinary resilience and a quiet, unwavering strength. To stand here today, representing Brazil in a lineage that began with my mother’s trailblazing journey, is both surreal and deeply moving. I would like to express my gratitude to both Walter Salles, who brought this story to the screen with such sensitivity and artistry, and Marcelo Rubens Paiva, whose memoir provided the foundation for us to share his family’s story. This moment belongs to all of us.”

Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist” (Best Supporting Actress)

“Thank you to the Academy for this nomination, and for recognizing so many of the wonderful cast and crew who worked on The Brutalist. Erzsébet’s story is one of resilience, resistance, strength, and hope. She represents the many women who are the underestimated force and steady backbone of their familial stories, particularly in times of tremendous hardship. Portraying her was an honor, and I’m so proud to be a part of this monumental film.”

Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown” (Best Supporting Actor)

“I think in truth this is a compliment to our whole terrific ensemble of actors, which Jim Mangold directed so brilliantly. And if it helps connect more people to the inspiring life and spirit of Pete Seeger, even better. It was the greatest privilege to get to channel his beautiful soul.”

Additional reporting by Mike Miller.

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