Another year means another Oscars, and the 95th ceremony did not disappoint. I love award shows, and the Academy Awards are my absolute favorite. It is a dream of mine ble to attend, so I decided on a whim to apply for a press pass to try and get to the show in person. Expectedly, I was denied a pass for in-person coverage. This was no surprise, I have never covered a high-profile event before and am only nineteen, so I wasn’t too beat up over the rejection. But then, I was given the opportunity to apply for a virtual press pass, so I did. Much to my surprise, I was granted access to the event and would have the opportunity to speak with the night’s Oscar winners. I was over the moon excited, but a voice in the back of my head was telling me that there was no way I would get picked in a room and on a Zoom full of established journalists.
The event started at 8pm EST, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting. I joined a Zoom thirty minutes before the start of the show and waited. Winners began to slowly trickle in, and reporters began asking questions. I had no idea how many people were actually in the press room or on the Zoom, so I figured my chances of getting picked were already slim. With this notion in mind, I decided to save my question for one of the main categories on the off-chance that they would call on me.
Now I must be honest when I say that I was fiercely pulling for Austin Butler to win the Best Actor award for his performance as Elvis Presley in Elvis. I was saving my question until the end, in hopes that I would get to talk to Butler, but he would end up losing to Brendan Fraser for his performance in The Whale. Briefly upset for a moment over the fact that my dream of talking to Butler was over, I realized how lucky I was to be in the position to ask any Academy Award winner a question. Brendan Fraser has had a triumphant and amazing comeback into Hollywood, and deserved the award for his incredible performance. I was too focused on the fact that I could possibly talk to Austin Butler than the actual point of interviewing an ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTOR, regardless of who they were. I had to quickly compose myself by the shows end, as winners began trickling into the conference room. The show ended at approximately 11:45pm and the waiting began. The announcer exclaimed that Fraser was walking into the room at around 12:25am and I contemplated for a second of if I should even try and ask him a question. I did not think I would get picked, especially because I had hesitated to raise my hand, but not but 30 seconds after clicking the “Raise Hand” button, I got a message from the showrunner, letting me know that I would be up next. I slightly began to panic realizing that I was about to talk to the BEST ACTOR OSCAR WINNER, but quickly composed myself. They introduced my name and it was finally my turn for my very first celebrity interview, something that I have been after ever since I started applying for press passes to every event I could think of.
“I heard my name and thought, uh that can’t be right, but it was, so I guess I should go up there and say something quick”
-Brendan Fraser
I started off my congratulating him, to which he thanked me for. (We’re like practically best friends at this point). I then asked him what the past year of his spectacular comeback has been like and the fact that everyone on the internet was supporting him and rooting for him. “This has been incredibly rewarding and affirming,” Fraser said. “It has given me a lesson in humility and gratitude.” The second part to my question was asking him what the first thought in his head was, when he heard his name called–which is something I have always wondered when watching people’s reactions to getting these awards. “What did I hear when I first my name? I heard my name and thought, uh that can’t be right, but it was, so I guess I should go up there and say something quick” he said and chuckled. He then proceeded to thank his “internet friends who have been so generous.” He ended his quote by saying that he “hopes he lives up to this,” as he held up his award. The room erupted in applause and I somehow was able to get not only the last question in, but only one of four questions asked of him. I cannot believe that I was able to have this experience, not only at such a young age, but in the the comfort of my own home like it was just any other Sunday. This was truly one of the coolest moments of my life, and I hope to be able to do it again next year (maybe even in-person!)
To watch my interview with Brendan Fraser, watch below! (It starts at 6:14)