Emma Stone Takes Home Best Actress Oscar for “Poor Things”

Emma Stone clinched the prestigious Oscar for Best Actress at the 96th Academy Awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

The acclaimed actress secured the honor for her portrayal of Bella Baxter in the period fantasy comedy “Poor Things,” adapted from Alasdair Gray’s novel.

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film also features stellar performances from Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and Ramy Youssef.

Stone’s character, Bella, a result of a child’s brain implanted into an adult’s body, navigates through the film’s controversial themes, including copious sex and nudity.

Stone faced stiff competition in the category, including the highly acclaimed Lily Gladstone for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Sandra Hüller for “Anatomy of a Fall,” and Carey Mulligan for “Maestro.”

This victory marks Stone’s second Best Actress win, following her triumph in 2017 for “La La Land.” Previously nominated twice for Best Supporting Actress, for “Birdman” in 2015 and “The Favourite” in 2019, Stone had yet to secure a win in those categories.

Having already amassed a slew of awards for her role in “Poor Things,” including the BAFTA for Best Actress and the Golden Globe for Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy, Stone now joins the esteemed ranks of double Best Actress Oscar winners alongside icons like Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, and Jodie Foster.

In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Stone humorously noted a wardrobe malfunction, attributing it to a mishap during the performance of “I’m Just Ken.”

She then extended her admiration to her main rival, Lily Gladstone, expressing gratitude for sharing the journey with her. Stone concluded by thanking the entire team behind “Poor Things,” especially director Yorgos Lanthimos, for the “gift of a lifetime” portraying Bella.

Her closing remarks were dedicated to her loved ones, including her parents, brother, husband, and daughter, who she affectionately described as turning their world “technicolor” and declared her love for them “bigger than the whole sky.”