Oscar Triumph for Stone’s Brilliant Turn as Bella Baxter in Dark Comedy
LOS ANGELES – In a major night for firsts and repeats at the 96th Academy Awards, Emma Stone seized her second Best Actress Oscar for her tour-de-force performance in the satirical sci-fi film “Poor Things.” The 35-year-old Arizona native’s win came in a tight race against fellow nominee Lily Gladstone, who was vying to become the first Native American to claim a competitive acting Oscar.
When presenter Michelle Yeoh read out Stone’s name at the Dolby Theatre, the stunned actress embraced her husband Dave McCary before making her way to the stage. She paused to hug co-star Mark Ruffalo and director Yorgos Lanthimos amid raucous applause.
Stone’s Stunned Acceptance Speech
“Oh boy, my dress is broken. I think it happened during the musical number,” a flustered Stone quipped as she reached the microphone, referring to an esoteric performance from the evening. “This is really overwhelming.”
The moment marked the zenith of a steep ascent for the former comedic ingénue, who has blossomed into one of her generation’s most versatile and celebrated actresses. Stone won her first Best Actress Oscar just seven years ago for “La La Land” and has displayed a remarkable range in films like “The Favourite,” “Battle of the Sexes” and multiple Marvel outings.
Classic Story of Self-Discovery
In “Poor Things,” Stone imbued Bella Baxter—a woman brought to life in Victorian London through an unorthodox brain transplant procedure—with an entrancing childlike wonder and authenticity. As Bella navigates a strange new existence, replete with dark humor and steampunk visuals, she embarks on a profound journey of identity and self-actualization.
“It’s not about me,” the humbled star said in her acceptance speech. “It’s about a team that came together to make something greater than the sum of its parts—and that is the great thing about making movies.”
Stone thanked Lanthimos “for the gift of a lifetime” in playing Bella and paid tribute to her collaborators: “I am so deeply honored to share this with every cast member and every crew member.”
A Tight Race and Historic Prospect
Most pundits characterized the Best Actress race as too close to call heading into the ceremony. Stone had won at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes, while Gladstone—nominated for her role in “Killers of the Flower Moon”—prevailed at the SAG Awards.
Had Gladstone won for her powerful performance in Martin Scorsese’s Western crime saga, she would have broken new ground as the first Native American actress to claim one of the Academy’s highest competitive honors. While that historic moment didn’t come to pass, her searing turn marked a watershed for Indigenous representation in Hollywood.
A Meteoric Career Arc
For Stone, the Oscar cemented her status as one of the industry’s true heavyweights after stratospheric rise in the last decade. Her breakthrough came with 2010’s “Easy A,” a sparkling turn in the teen comedy that showcased her deft talents for humor and pathos.
She quickly scored major roles in films like “The Help,” “Birdman,” and “La La Land”—the latter earning her an Oscar for her captivating performance as an aspiring actress. Herriu oin “The Favourite” opposite Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman underscored her versatility in relocating to period drama.
Ever-Ascending Achievements
Stone added another feather to her cap this year by earning a Best Picture nomination as a producer on “Poor Things,” making her just the second woman after Frances McDormand to earn dual Oscar nods for acting and producing the same film.
As she collects one prestigious statuette after another, Emma Stone’s thirst for challenging, dynamic roles seems only to intensify. Having conquered both comedic and dramatic terrain, the beloved star shows no signs of resting on her laurels as she enters her mid-30s at the peak of her powers.
From her humble beginnings to her current status as Hollywood royalty, Emma Stone’s Oscar-winning work in “Poor Things” represents the crowning achievement thus far in one of the most inspired, versatile acting careers of the 21st century.
