Oscar Nominations 2025: Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Angelina Jolie and More Snubs and Surprises
Pamela Anderson isn’t losing sleep over the 2025 Oscars.
As Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott announced the nominees for the 97th Academy Awards Ceremony’s Best Actress in a Leading Role, many expected to hear the Baywatch alum’s name called for her role as a Shelly Gardner in The Last Showgirl. But when her name was not among the nominees, the 57-year-old admitted that she wasn’t holding her breath.
“Oh my gosh, it’s not something I ever expected,” Pamela told Elle in an interview published Jan. 23. “Doing the work is the win.”
Among the nominees that did score nods for Leading Actress are Demi Moore (The Substance), Mikey Madison (Anora), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here). And while many believe Pamela was snubbed, the Home Improvement actress considered herself lucky to have been involved in the glamorous film at all, adding that she “couldn’t imagine it anyway.”
“That’s what I like to do,” she explained, “and I think we can lose sight of that sometimes in this whole crazy awards season, but it’s nice to be recognized, and it’s all a bonus.”
While the Gia Coppola-directed film didn’t receive any nominations for the March 2 awards show, which will be hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, Pamela’s performance was recognized with nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading role at the 2025 SAG Awards, Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama at the 2025 Golden Globes and Outstanding Lead Performance at the 2024 Gotham Awards. And among the accolades, she is looking forward to celebrating one in particular.
“I’m happy for the SAG nomination,” she noted, “that’s [voted on by] your peers. That’s really cool. This has been a long road promoting this film.”
(Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images for ABA)
After all, Pamela wasn’t the only name that fans were shocked to see omitted from the category. Selena Gomez, who also received a nomination at the Golden Globes for her role in Emilia Pérez, did not find herself among the list of nominees either. And other declared snubs by fans included The Substance’s Margaret Qualley, Maria’s Angelina Jolie and Babygirl’s Nicole Kidman.
Then, some names that did make it on the list of nominees are cause for a little extra celebration. The Substance’s Demi scored her first ever Oscar nomination for Best Actress after four decades in the industry. And, it turns out, the other nominees in her category are first timers as well, including Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave). Shortly after the category was announced, Demi expressed just how much the nomination meantto her.
"Being nominated for an Oscar is an incredible honor and these last few months have been beyond my wildest dreams,” the 62-year-old said in a Jan. 23 statement obtained by E! News. "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."
For more snubs and surprises for this year’s Oscars ceremony, keep reading…
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.
The 2025 Academy Awards air Sunday, Mar. 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC and Hulu.
English (US)