Christina Ricci slams 'elitist' Academy board

Christina Ricci slams ‘elitist and exclusive’ Academy board over decision to review Andrea Riseborough’s ‘legitimately brilliant’ Best Actress Oscar nomination amid accusations ‘rules were broken’ to get her on the list

  • The Academy is currently launching a review of Oscars campaigning after To Leslie surprised industry-watchers by earning Riseborough a nomination
  • The low-budget independent feature had taken just $27,000 at the box office when the English star appeared on the shortlist of nominees for Best Actress 
  • But her inclusion has sparked a debate over rule-breaking, with the nod coming after a last-minute social media campaign mounted by celebrity friends 

Christina Ricci has labelled the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ‘elitist and exclusive’ following the board’s decision to review Andrea Riseborough’s Best Actress nomination. 

The Academy is currently launching a review of Oscars campaigning after commercially unsuccessful film To Leslie surprised industry-watchers by earning Riseborough a nomination for one of its biggest awards. 

The low-budget independent feature had taken just $27,000 at the box office when the English star, who plays a single mother struggling with alcoholism, appeared on the shortlist of nominees for Best Actress.

Speaking out: Christina Ricci has labelled the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ‘elitist and exclusive’ following the board’s decision to review Andrea Riseborough’s Best Actress nomination

But her inclusion has sparked a debate over potential rule-breaking, with the nod coming after an intense, last-minute social media campaign mounted on her behalf by celebrity friends including Edward Norton, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sarah Paulson.

Ricci, 42, has since slammed the decision to review the process, while insisting she was sure Riseborough had nothing to do with the celebrity drive to win her a nomination. 

In a since deleted Instagram post, she wrote: ‘Seems hilarious that the ‘surprise nomination’ (meaning tons of money wasn’t spent to position this actress) of a legitimately brilliant performance is being met with an investigation. 

In the mix: The Academy is currently launching a review of Oscars campaigning after commercially unsuccessful film To Leslie surprised industry-watchers by earning Riseborough (pictured in the film) a nomination

Surprise: The low-budget independent feature had taken just $27,000 at the box office when the English star, who plays a single mother struggling with alcoholism, appeared on the shortlist of nominees for Best Actress

‘So it’s only the films and actors that can afford the campaigns that deserve recognition? Feels elitist and exclusive and frankly very backward to me.’ 

She added: ‘If it’s taken away shame on them.’ 

On Friday, the Academy said it would be examining its processes, although it did not mention the film by name.

‘It is the Academy´s goal to ensure that the Awards competition is conducted in a fair and ethical manner, and we are committed to ensuring an inclusive awards process,’  a statement said.

Friends in high places: Riseborough has been championed by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Howard Stern, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet 

Not happy: Ricci has since slammed the decision to review the process, while insisting she was sure Riseborough had nothing to do with the celebrity drive to win her a nomination

‘We are conducting a review of the campaign procedures around this year’s nominees, to ensure that no guidelines were violated, and to inform us whether changes to the guidelines may be needed in a new era of social media and digital communication.

‘We have confidence in the integrity of our nomination and voting procedures, and support genuine grassroots campaigns for outstanding performances.’ 

The Oscars are awarded based on the votes of the 9,500 members of the Academy — many of them previous winners.

Review: On Friday, the Academy said it would be examining its processes, although it did not mention the film by name (pictured: Andrea Riseborough at the BAFTA Tea Party in January)

Academy membership is divided into 17 branches, with each branch picking the nominees in their area of expertise.

With around 1,300 members of the actors’ branch, a nominee in this category needs just over 200 votes to make the shortlist.

In the months ahead of the Oscars, which this year will be held on March 12, billboards in Los Angeles are plastered with advertisements for films as studios seek to persuade voting members.

There are also a host of parties and events aimed at generating a buzz.

Getting involved: Edward Norton was among the A-list stars speaking out in support of Riseborough’s performance before this year’s Oscar nominations were announced 

She gets my vote: Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow also praised the British actress on social media 

And the nominees are: Riseborough was nominated alongside Cate Blanchett for Tár, Ana DeArmas for Blonde, Michelle Williams for The Fabelmans and winner Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere All at Once

Campaigns are often organised by professional companies and generally don’t come cheap, so are usually the preserve of large studios.

But To Leslie was absent from this circuit.

Speaking to Deadline shortly after her nomination was confirmed, Riseborough said: ‘I’m astounded. … It was so hard to believe it might ever happen because we really hadn’t been in the running for anything else. 

‘Even though we had a lot of support, the idea it might actually happen seemed so far away.’ 

Low-key: For Leslie received little fanfare before winning a surprise Oscar nomination for Riseborough (pictured, in the film)

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