The 2025 Oscar nominations, revealed on January 23 by Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang, have introduced us to a wave of first-time nominees who shared their heartwarming reactions to this career-defining moment.
Among them are industry veterans like 72-year-old Isabella Rossellini and newcomers such as Mikey Madison and Monica Barbaro.
Whether it's Ariana Grande’s nostalgic nod to her childhood or Coralie Fargeat’s celebration with friends, these emotional moments prove that recognition from the Academy never loses its magic.
Heartwarming Reactions from First-Time Nominees
Ariana Grande, Best Supporting Actress (Wicked)
Pop icon and actress Ariana Grande took to Instagram to share her tearful reaction to her nomination. “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,’” Grande wrote, referencing her childhood admiration for The Wizard of Oz. Alongside the message, she posted an adorable photo of herself as a child dressed as Dorothy.
Her heartfelt thanks included shout-outs to the Academy, her Wicked costar Cynthia Erivo (also a nominee), director John Chu, and her “heart,” possibly referring to Ethan Slater. Both later shared a picture of Slater holding pink balloons in celebration.
Coralie Fargeat, Best Director (The Substance)
French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat’s nomination for The Substance marks a significant moment in the historically male-dominated Best Director category. In a video shared on Instagram, Fargeat collapses onto her sofa in joyful disbelief as her name is read. Surrounded by friends and colleagues shouting her name, “Coralie! Coralie!” the director’s reaction captures the thrill of breaking barriers.
Monica Barbaro, Best Supporting Actress (A Complete Unknown)
Monica Barbaro, nominated for her portrayal of Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown, shared a photo of herself overcome with emotion upon hearing her name among the nominees. She also posted a snapshot of an email from director James Mangold, sent when she landed the role. Barbaro’s heartfelt gratitude and excitement shine through in her posts, reflecting how much this moment means to her.
Isabella Rossellini, Best Supporting Actress (Conclave)
Veteran actress Isabella Rossellini celebrated her first Oscar nomination with an emotional Instagram post. Reflecting on her legendary parents, Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, she wrote, “I wish my parents were alive to celebrate with me this great honor.” The Conclave actress acknowledged her parents’ legacy and how it shaped her career, adding a deeply personal touch to her reaction.
Jeremy Strong, Best Supporting Actor (The Apprentice)
The Succession star earned a nomination for his portrayal of Roy Cohn in The Apprentice, shared a touching memory of attending the Oscars as a child. “Today’s nomination is, without overstatement, a realization of a lifelong dream,” he said in a statement. He also posted a throwback photo from 1993, when he and his father waited on cold bleachers to see the stars at the 65th Academy Awards.
Yura Borisov, Best Supporting Actor (Anora)
Russian actor Yura Borisov’s reaction to his nomination was nothing short of heartwarming. In a video shared by the film’s production studio Neon, Borisov is seen celebrating with his family in a car. His daughters’ cheers from the backseat and his visible excitement are a testament to how much the nomination means to him and his loved ones.
These nominees’ emotional responses showcase the profound impact of recognition, whether it’s a dream decades in the making or an unexpected moment of validation. From Isabella Rossellini’s reflections on her Hollywood legacy to Ariana Grande’s nod to her younger self, the first-time nominees of the 2025 Oscars remind us of the joy and gratitude that comes with being acknowledged by peers.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ