Conan O’Brien’s Cheeky Reaction to Hosting the 2025 Oscars
You never forget your first Oscar nomination.
After being pushed back due to the wildfires raging through much of Los Angeles County, the 2025 Academy Award nominations were finally announced during a virtual event on Jan. 23. And it was a who's who of first-time nominees in many categories—especially among the actors and actresses.
Demi Moore scored her first ever Oscar nomination for Best Actress after four decades in the entertainment industry for her role in The Substance. She was joined by a slew of other Best Actresses who earned their first-ever nod, including Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Mikey Madison (Anora) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here.)
Shortly after her nomination was announced, Demi shared just how much the accolade meant to her.
“Being nominated for an Oscar is an incredible honor and these last few months have been beyond my wildest dreams," she told E! News in a Jan. 23 statement. "Truly there are no words to fully express my joy and overwhelming gratitude for this recognition. Not only for me but for what this film represents. I am deeply humbled."
She continued, "This is a time of incredible contrasts and right now, my heart is with my friends, family, neighbors, and community here in LA. The fires have devastated so many lives but to see the way our community has united leaves me in awe of the resilience and compassion that defines us, and this moment is a reminder of how incredible we are when we stand together.”
The Best Supporting Actress category was also full of firsts as Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave) were among those who filled out the category.
Ariana also shared her excitement over earning her first ever Oscar nod, noting in part on Instagram Jan. 23, "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."
"I’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company," she added, "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."
But that's not at all as Sebastian Stan picked up his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his work in The Apprentice, going up against veteran nominees Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), as well as previous Oscar winner Adrien Brody (The Brutalist).
The Best Supporting Actor category was also home to new faces including Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), Yura Borisov (Anora) and Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice).
Another star celebrating their first ever Oscar nod? Mindy Kaling, who nabbed a nomination as a producer for Best Live Action Short Film for Anuja.
“I have been a producer for almost twenty years, but producing Anuja has been a highlight of my career,” she shared in a statement to E! News. “I feel so lucky to be part of this joyous story of two girls with big dreams and ambitions, but who are overlooked—my favorite kind of heroines! I’m so grateful to Adam Graves and Suchitra Mattai for inviting me and Kaling International on this journey.”
Keep reading for a look at this year’s snubs and surprises…
Shanna Besson/Pathé/Netflix
Snub: Selena Gomez
While the Emilia Pérez star has enjoyed positive reception for her work as Jessi Del Monte—including a Golden Globe nomination—the Disney Channel alum did not find herself among the nominees for the Best Supporting Actress.
Ernesto S. Ruscio/Getty Images for Disney
Surprise: Monica Barbaro
One who did find themselves on the coveted list was Monica Barbaro.
And don't get us wrong—Monica's nomination for her work as Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown comes as a pleasant surprise after not being nominated for a Golden Globe. Her performance did, however, earn a nod for the 2025 SAG Awards.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
Snub: Angelina Jolie
While Maria marked the 49-year-old's first major role since 2021's The Eternals, and despite being nominated for a Golden Globe, Angelina was not nominated for an Oscar.
Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images
Surprise: Some of the First-Time Nominees
While it doesn't come as a surprise that they were nominated, you might be surprised to learn that the following Hollywood veterans have not been nominated for an Academy Award before this year.
Among those celebrating their first nominations amid enduring careers include Demi Moore (The Substance), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez), Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Brazil's Fernanda Torres (I'm Still Here).
Neil Mockford/WireImage
Snub: Jon M. Chu
Despite the box office success and critical acclaim of Wicked, the 45-year-old was not recognized in the Directing category.
Mubi/Metropolitan Filmexport
Surprise: The Substance
While the body horror film—which stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley—earning a Best Picture nod doesn't come as an outright surprise given the project's positive reception, it does buck a longtime trend of horror movies being omitted from the top category.
Among the handful of previous films in the genre to have earned a Best Picture nomination are Get Out, SIlence of the Lambs, The Sixth Sense and The Exorcist.
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Snub: Nicole Kidman
While the Babygirl star—who has been nominated for five Academ Awards throughout her career—earned a nod at the Golden Globes, she was not among the list of nominees for this year's Oscars.
Amazon MGM Studios
Snub: Challengers
While the tennis-centric film—starring Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor—didn't earn a single Oscars nomination, perhaps the most surprising category in which it did not feature was Music (Original Score).
Afer all, the electronica, bass-heavy background almost became a character itself throughout the film, making it one of the most unique scores of the last year.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
A (Future) Surprise: The TBD Nominees
Eagle-eyed fans tuned into the announcement may have noticed that under certain titles read, "Nominees to be determined."
Accordng to the Academy, producers need to be determined eligible by the Producers Guild of America, meaning in this case the names under certain nominees are still pending.
The announcements, coming in early February, therefore promise to be a surprise for all.
Image courtesy of Roadside Attractions
Snub: Pamela Anderson
While the 57-year-old's performance in The Last Showgirl received critical acclaim and earned her a Golden Globe nomination, Pamela—and the entire film, including fellow cast member Jamie Lee Curtis—were shut out of the Oscar nominations.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for A.L.C.
Surprise: Mindy Kaling
Yes, indeed, the Mindy Project alum has her hands in Live Action Short Film nominee Anuja after helping produce the project.
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