The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Friday that it is conducting a review days after Andrea Riseborough scored a surprise Oscar nomination for To Leslie. As noted by People tabloid, prior to the announcement, most Oscars experts hadn’t listed the British actress as a frontrunner for a nomination but a last-minute campaign from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet and Edward Norton boosted her during the voting period.
“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,” The Academy said in a statement. “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,” they added. Riseborough is nominated for Best Actress, competing alongside Cate Blanchett (Tár), Ana de Armas (Blonde), Michelle Williams (The Fabelmans) and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once).
To Leslie just grossed $27,000 at the box office and has come in for scrutiny for the targeted campaigning conducted by its supporters ultimately leading to an Oscar nod. Many considered Till actress Danielle Deadwyler and The Woman King star Viola Davis to have been notable snubs from the category.
Directed by Michael Morris, To Leslie follows “A single mother turns to alcoholism after using up all the prize money she received after winning the lottery. She soon finds the chance to turn her life around when a motel owner offers her a job.”
