Lily Gladstone Reflects on Oscar Loss and Impact of “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Lily Gladstone, the breakout star of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” recently shared her thoughts on losing the Oscar for Best Actress to Emma Stone. In an interview with Empire magazine, Gladstone revealed that she didn’t consider it a loss at all. She explained how her supporters back home reacted to the news and emphasized the meaning and impact of the film.

Gladstone mentioned that the event organizers had prepared little cardboard cut-outs of gold-man statues resembling Oscars to give to kids. They asked if this would hurt her feelings, to which she responded with a resounding “no.” She acknowledged the competitive nature of award campaigns and the practice of pitting art against art. For her, what mattered was that the film had meaning and had done its job.

The actress was a strong contender for the Oscar after winning both a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award for her role as Mollie Kyle in the Martin Scorsese-directed epic. However, she expressed that nobody was upset when she didn’t win. Many people who are not deeply involved in the industry mistook the Golden Globe for the Oscars, highlighting the significance of the film being recognized and celebrated. The fact that the film had been awarded and was historic was more important to Gladstone than personally walking away with the statue.

Gladstone also shared a heartwarming detail about her tribe and the confederacy it belongs to organizing a special day to celebrate her achievements. She described it as an amazing experience to witness the impact of “Killers of the Flower Moon” within her community in Montana.

Regarding her career, Gladstone stated that the Oscar loss had little impact on her future prospects. She confidently mentioned that she has upcoming work and projects already lined up. In fact, she has recently starred in the Hulu series “Under the Bridge” alongside Riley Keough and has more exciting roles to come. One such role is in “Fancy Dance,” an indie film written and directed by Native filmmaker Erica Tremblay. The film revolves around a Native American woman who kidnaps her niece to search for her missing sister.

Gladstone believes that “Killers of the Flower Moon” has played a significant role in opening up opportunities for Indigenous creators in the industry. She believes that audiences now have a desire to see and connect with Indigenous stories and characters, which is a positive shift in representation.

In conclusion, Lily Gladstone’s perspective on losing the Oscar showcases her humility and appreciation for the recognition the film received. She emphasizes the importance of the film’s impact and the meaningful moments it created within her community. Despite not winning the award, Gladstone remains confident in her career and looks forward to future projects. She recognizes the significance of “Killers of the Flower Moon” in creating space for Indigenous creators and believes that audiences are now more receptive to their stories.