Aunjanue Ellis discusses special first Oscars nomination

LOS ANGELES, California — After a extra subdued Oscars present final yr, Hollywood is seeking to get together this weekend – again on the pink carpet and again in particular person. It must be ‘one thing to have enjoyable with,’ says Oscar Producer Will Packer. Nonetheless, behind the spectacle lie very actual human tales.

A day earlier than the Oscars, every thing on Hollywood Boulevard says ‘it is a huge deal,’ however for the nominees, it’s much more intense.

Sandy Kenyon takes viewers on a stroll down the Oscars pink carpet

Will Smith is within the working for the primary time in 15 years, and his co-star Aunjanue Ellis? She is within the working for the primary time ever.

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Ellis is the glamorous toast of the city, acknowledged by the Movement Image Academy and by Essence Journal.

“I am completely rooting for Aunjanue Ellis. You recognize she can be one in all our Black Ladies in Hollywood nominees this yr,” stated Essence Senior Editor Brande Victorian.

Nominated after Ellis labored to make the mom of Venus and Serena Williams a richer and three-dimensional character.

Ellis was born into poverty.

“My grandmother had to make use of meals stamps to feed me,” she says.

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Later, she spent many years going from job to job as an actor making a residing however hardly was a family title.

“Had utterly given up on that. Had made my peace about it and was transferring on with my life, when all of the sudden, two years in the past, all that modified,” Ellis added.

Now, she is becoming a member of her co-star on the Oscars Nominees Luncheon and is questioning how you can maintain it actual on the massive day.

“I have been on pink carpets earlier than, and I made positive I used to be saying one thing that I believed in, you already know what I imply? Simply issues like that,” she stated.

Ellis says she thinks it’s sweeter as a result of it’s occurring proper now after working steadily for therefore lengthy.

“And I feel it’s as a result of I had determined that none of this was going to occur in any respect and I used to be comfortable with it. I would not have loved it as a lot ten years in the past, you already know what I imply? The fruit would not have been as candy for me,” stated Ellis.

So candy – and win or lose, Ellis goes to savor this second proper now.

It’s all the extra candy as a result of the taking pictures of ‘King Richard’ needed to be shut down throughout the pandemic and he or she as soon as feared it’s going to by no means be capable to resume.

“I am discovering myself with my consideration on the hearts and the expertise of the folks round me relatively than whether or not or not my title will get known as,” she stated.