Getting an Oscar nomination is pretty much the highest honor in movie-making. So, whether it's your first nod or your fifth, hearing your name called out in the line-up of nominees is an experience that simply never gets old.
Handout / The Academy via Getty Images
Similarly, seeing the stars celebrating their nominations brings so much joy to the internet year after year. So, without further ado, here's a round-up of reactions among the 2025 Academy Award nominees. Congrats everyone!
Ariana Grande — Best Supporting Actress, Wicked
In a statement on Instagram , Ari 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."
Alongside a sweet photograph of herself as a child, she continued: "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 acknowledgement @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," she went on. "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. 🫧"
Mike Coppola / Getty Images Cynthia Erivo — Best Actress, Wicked
"Moments like this don’t come along very often, and when they do, it is sacrilege to let them pass by without a moment of gratitude," Cynthia wrote on Instagram , alongside a carousel of behind-the-scenes photographs — including a cute snap of her as a child. "I am grateful, grateful to @theacademy, grateful to be a part of something that makes people feel seen, grateful to be a cog in the wheel of a piece that makes us believe in magic, grateful to have experienced a dream come true, and deeply deeply grateful for this unbelievable recognition.""I often get asked what I would say to my younger self. Well today there’s nothing to be said. She is smiling, beaming, glowing from ear to ear. That speaks volumes," she continued. "To my sister, @arianagrande, what a joy it is to be here with you watching as you ascend and amaze and become the actress you were meant to be. Congratulations first time nominee, I’m so so proud of you!! There is no one in the world I would have wanted to do this with more than you. Thank you @jonmchu, our fearless leader whose kindness provided us with the room to play, you are deserving of all good things and I’m lucky to call you my brother."
Cynthia's post also included an emotional video of her shedding tears as she learned of her nomination in real-time midway through a flight (literally "Defying Gravity").
Amy Sussman / Getty Images Adrien Brody — Best Actor, The Brutalist
His Instagram statement began: "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 Laszlo Toth, 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," he continued. "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."
Borja B. Hojas / WireImage Colman Domingo — Best Actor, Sing Sing
Making history as the first Black back-to-back Best Actor Oscar nominee since Denzel Washington in 2017 and 2018, Colman wrote on Instagram : "2nd time around. Grateful about it all."
"The whole journey to make @singsingmovie No one does this alone. I have so much love and faith and human beings around me. I am in gratitude for all," he continued. "To be recognized with my brothers that I admire. Made with love. Made with hope. Made for the love of art and all the healing powers that it can possess. A toast to our BELOVED company. Sing Sing is in theaters now. Go and see the love that we made."
Theo Wargo / Getty Images Edward Norton — Best Supporting Actor, A Complete Unknown
“I think in truth this is a compliment to our whole terrific ensemble of actors, which Jim Mangold directed so brilliantly," Edward said in a statement . "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.”
Samir Hussein / Samir Hussein / WireImage Zoe Saldaña — Best Supporting Actress, Emilia Pérez
Jeremy Strong — Best Supporting Actor, The Apprentice
In a statement , Jeremy called his first-ever Oscar nomination the "realization of a lifelong dream." He wrote: "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," his statement continued. "This is a harrowing and courageous film that explores how we got to where we are today and was the role of a lifetime."
His message was accompanied by a childhood photo of himself outside of the 65th Academy Awards back in 1993. He wrote: “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,” he concluded. “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.”
Matt Winkelmeyer / WireImage Felicity Jones — Best Supporting Actress, The Brutalist
"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," Felicity said in a statement . "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."
Alberto Rodriguez / Variety via Getty Images Demi Moore — Best Actress, The Substance
After posting an Instagram Story to thank the Academy and celebrate the film's five nominations, Demi told Variety that she's "so grateful" for her first-ever Oscar nomination at the age of 62.
"I don’t know that I’m quite in my body," she told the outlet. "Life has been full of contrast with all that’s been going on, such incredible highs and devastating lows. Last night a new fire broke out in Los Angeles, and I was on alert all night because it wasn’t that far from us. I’m feeling some deep humility on many, many levels."
"I’m so grateful for the recognition. But it’s not just for me," she added. "It’s also about what The Substance represents. I’m here to be in service to something bigger."
Variety / Variety via Getty Images Isabella Rossellini — Best Supporting Actress, Conclave
In a statement , Isabella said: "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."
Mike Coppola / Getty Images Sebastian Stan — Best Actor, The Apprentice
"I can’t believe I'm in Romania while receiving this news," he said in a statement . "It's surreal. I'm stunned. I’m speechless. I’m humbled. I guess this is what they mean by the American Dream. I'm so grateful to everyone who made the impossible, possible. Thank you to the Academy for this brave recognition."
Matt Winkelmeyer / WireImage Fernanda Torres — Best Actress, I'm Still Here
“I am deeply humbled by the Academy's recognition and honored to stand alongside the remarkable women in this category," Fernanda said in a statement . "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.”
Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images Mikey Madison — Best Actress, Anora
Speaking to Variety , Mikey said: "I am in my bed in a hotel in New York, feeling very grateful. I was on FaceTime with my mom, my dad, my dog and my twin brother this morning, and I’m humbled; absolutely overjoyed. My heart is broken for Los Angeles right now, but I feel like as a community, everyone’s coming together and celebrating film in a beautiful way."
Gilbert Flores / Penske Media via Getty Images Yura Borisov — Best Supporting Actor, Anora
Becoming the first Russian actor to secure an Oscar nomination in over five decades, Yura called into Good Morning America on Wednesday to celebrate the milestone with his adorable family. Joined by his wife and daughters, Yura said it's a "great" achievement and "a lot of people are very happy because of this."
He also told Variety that he learned about his nomination while in the car. "It was very funny because my nomination was first, and my name was called first, and my wife started screaming and crying," he recalled. "I [didn’t hear] anything after that, all the nominations, because she was screaming."
Cindy Ord / Getty Images Monica Barbaro — Best Supporting Actress, A Complete Unknown
Timothée Chalamet — Best Actor, A Complete Unknown
Becoming the youngest two-time Best Actor Oscar nominee since James Dean, Timothée said : "I am enormously honored by this distinction. But most sincerely, I am OVERJOYED for the production’s recognition today!
He went on: "I am so grateful for Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton’s dedication to bring the folk icons Pete Seeger and Joan Baez to life. I am privileged to have worked alongside my friend Elle Fanning who is truly a generational talent. I am incredibly proud of our technical team and Arianne Phillips for bringing a fresh perspective to the 1960s. Most crucially, I am grateful to the GREAT JAMES MANGOLD, who guided this production with an experienced and masterful hand. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible artist, poet, thinker, extraordinary unknown that is Mr. Bob Dylan (and Jeff Rosen for giving me the keys to the tour bus). For our film to be recognized by the Academy in this way is a testament to Bob’s lasting legacy. Thank you!!!"
Lia Toby / Getty Images Karla Sofía Gascón — Best Actress, Emilia Pérez
In an Instagram post celebrating the nomination, Karla wrote: "Thank you so much @theacademy @emiliaperezfilm," alongside a slew of excited emojis.
Matt Winkelmeyer / WireImage Kieran Culkin — Best Supporting Actor, A Real Pain
Guy Pearce — Best Supporting Actor, The Brutalist
“Wow, what amazing news to receive as I waited for my bags at Melbourne airport!" he said in a statement . "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!”
Joe Maher / Getty Images Coralie Fargeat — Best Director, Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, The Substance
Ralph Fiennes — Best Actor, Conclave
“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,” he said in a statement .
Rich Polk / Penske Media via Getty Images James Mangold — Best Director, Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, A Complete Unknown
Speaking to Variety from his car stuck in traffic, James Mangold said his nominations were a "thrilling, beautiful surprise." "I was not expecting it," he added. "What we all strive for in our creative lives, at least for myself, is the respect and admiration of your peers. This is a huge lift to my spirits."
Mondadori Portfolio / Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images Congratulations all round! You can find the complete list of 2025 Academy Award nominees here .
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