Oscar nominations morning brought record-breaking news that left Hollywood stunned.
“Sinners” dominated with the most nominations in Academy Awards history, while several artists earned their first-ever nods in major categories.
From emotional family gatherings to airport Panda Express celebrations, nominees shared raw, unfiltered reactions that reveal what recognition from peers truly means.
Here’s how some of this year’s most talked-about contenders processed their life-changing morning.
Record-Breaking Morning for “Sinners”
Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian received multiple nominations for “Sinners,” with Ryan nominated for best director and original screenplay alongside their shared best picture nod. The film made history as the most nominated film ever at the Oscars.
Zinzi Coogler admitted she’s still catching her bearings from the news.
I don’t know that it’s truly settled in yet. We’re still trying to catch our bearings. Like, literally for any morning, it’s so early. But what an insane honor.
Ryan turned on YouTube when he woke up, with Zinzi right beside him in their shared room—a scene he noted was “very similar to how it’s been for 20-something years.”
Personal Connections Run Deep
Sev Ohanian experienced an unexpectedly touching moment when his doorbell rang at 5:15 a.m. His parents and sister showed up with food, allowing him to watch nominations alongside family. He later learned he became the first Armenian American nominated for best picture.
Man, that’s the first time I heard that spoken out loud. Wow. That’s not a statistic I was tracking.
Ohanian connected deeply with “Sinners” through his Armenian heritage, finding parallels between Ryan and Zinzi’s ancestor stories and his own cultural background.
Ryan’s uncle James, who partly inspired “Sinners,” remained present in spirit during celebrations. Ryan imagined him “partying right now with a lot of his favorite musicians” and “probably drinking some whiskey.”
In my family, when good things happen, we say the ancestors are dancing and they’re partying. And I believe that. I can feel him and my grandfather — from Mississippi who moved to Oakland — I felt their energy from day one with this one.
Teyana Taylor’s Fairy Tale Moment
Teyana Taylor earned her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress in “One Battle After Another.” She couldn’t contain her excitement, literally screaming with family members after tossing and turning all night.
Her voice was halfway gone from excitement when she spoke about the news.
I’m so speechless; my voice is halfway gone. Me and my family were literally screaming at the top of our lungs. I had been tossing and turning all night. I knew that nominations were at 8:30 a.m. and my body was like, “Girl, get up. You can’t out sleep this one.”
Taylor fell asleep watching “Pretty Woman” the night before, calling Julia Roberts her “good luck charm.” She referenced her favorite line from that film—”I want the fairy tale”—saying this nomination feels exactly like that.
After retiring from music in 2020 due to feeling trapped, Taylor found freedom in acting.
It feels really good being here — from retiring in 2020 from music and feeling trapped in a box and wanting to spread my wings, I know I can water my whole garden, opposed to just watering one plant or one flower.
Kate Hudson’s Girls’ Night Out
Kate Hudson secured her second Oscar nomination for lead actress in “Song Sung Blue.” She reflected on how dramatically both her career and Hollywood have changed since her first nomination.
Her co-star Hugh Jackman was among those reaching out, which she valued most. But mom Goldie Hawn had different priorities.
She came over with coffee and sat down and said, “OK, I’ve got to get a dress.” So I’m going to have the most beautiful Oscars date in the world. It’ll be a fun girls’ night out.
Ethan Hawke on Competition in Arts
Ethan Hawke received his fifth Oscar nomination—this time for best lead actor in “Blue Moon.” It marked his fourth nomination for collaborating with director Richard Linklater across three decades of friendship and conversation.
He found out through an email from his daughter Maya’s former preschool teacher, the same person who informed him about his “Training Day” nomination years ago.
Hawke offered perspective on navigating awards season with wisdom earned from experience.
Well, it’s important to remember that over 80% of the people leave feeling like a loser, so you’re not a loser. It’s a victory lap for the profession. That’s always how I think about these things.
He referenced “Dead Poets Society,” noting how competition contradicts fundamental artistic values but serves as necessary business attention.
Chloé Zhao’s Airport Panda Express Party
Director Chloé Zhao learned about her best director nomination for “Hamnet” via text while rushing to catch a flight to Sundance. She’d been working a night shoot that wrapped at 4 a.m.
Zhao made history as the first person of color and second woman nominated twice for best director. She celebrated with greasy Chinese food at airport Panda Express.
I’m sitting in a Panda Express right now in the airport on my way to Sundance. I’m going to be seeing a bunch of my colleagues in the Sundance community, where my career started. So it’s going to be incredible to hug everybody and celebrate. But for now, this morning, I got myself some Chinese food at the airport. Not the healthiest, but I am rewarding myself with some greasy Chinese food.
This will be Zhao’s first “normal” Oscars ceremony. Her previous win happened during COVID restrictions at Union Station, where most nominees couldn’t even sit in the room.
Planning ahead for Oscar night’s notorious lack of food, she’s preparing a bag of homemade snacks—Chinese pears and goji berry tea—potentially to share or sell to hungry attendees.
Still Waiting for Rihanna’s Text
Zhao recently released footage of her “Hamnet” cast and crew dancing to Rihanna’s “We Found Love” on their final filming day. She’s been dancing to Rihanna’s music on sets since her first film but remains too starstruck to approach her idol.
I’ve been waiting to hear from Rihanna since I was in high school. Every day, I’ve wished one day [my phone] would go “ping!,” and then I could go, “Oh my God; life goal completed.” I saw her at [an awards ceremony], and I walked behind her three times to use the bathroom when I didn’t need to, just so that I could be at proximity to her.
Veteran Nominees Reflect on Change
Amy Madigan earned her first nomination in 40 years for best supporting actress in “Weapons.” She noted how dramatically different the experience feels now.
It feels completely different because of social media, which did not exist when I did “Twice in a Lifetime.” Gladys has captured people’s hearts, and [shows that] horror doesn’t have to be pushed to the side.
Wunmi Mosaku, nominated for best supporting actress in “Sinners,” was actually asleep during announcements. Her husband woke her with phone calls, prompting confusion about the early noise before excitement set in.
Being pregnant added emotional intensity to her morning.
I’ve tried to make today no different from any other day in my mind. My emotions are very much on the surface, especially being pregnant. I am trying to be cool and chill about it.
Animation Team Celebrates Global Success
Directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush, along with producer Yvett Merino, received best animated feature nominations for “Zootopia 2.” Bush was catching a flight from Vancouver when notifications flooded his phone seconds before official announcements.
The film’s massive theatrical success, particularly in China, left them searching for adequate words.
I have never use the word “mind-blowing,” but I have used that little mind-blowing emoji so many times over the last couple of months. It’s hard to describe.
Bush found special meaning in global audiences embracing their film about transcending differences. Howard emphasized their grounded perspective, noting how much effort animation requires and how close-knit their community remains.
From doorbells ringing at dawn to dancing ancestors to airport Chinese food, Oscar nominations morning proved once again that recognition from peers creates moments no amount of preparation can replicate.