Spanish-C Cuban actress Ana de Armas, an Oscar nominee for best actress, spoke with EFE ahead of entering the Dolby Theatre for the awards ceremony. Her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Blonde has drawn widespread attention, and she reflected on the moment with humility and gratitude.
“I never imagined being here”, she said. “I dreamed of it, but not of such a role or project, which feels incredibly special.” De Armas offered insight into her Monroe interpretation, describing the icon as a radiant, loving presence who cannot be copied. Her aim was to capture Monroe’s essence and present her as a real, human figure on the screen.
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De Armas is in the running to win the gold statue in this category, facing Cate Blanchett for Tár, Andrea Riseborough for To Leslie, Michelle Williams for The Fabelmans, and Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Industry observers consider Blanchett and Yeoh as early favorites, with de Armas positioned as a strong contender among this strong field.
The actress expressed pride in representing Latina talent on the Oscar stage, noting the excitement of fans supporting her from Spain to Cuba and through Los Angeles. She emphasized the sense of responsibility that comes with being the sole Latina nominee in this edition and the encouragement she feels from viewers around the world.
Oscar night is unfolding with high expectations and lively anticipation. The ceremony will spotlight a diverse set of performances and narratives, with Everything Everywhere All At Once generating considerable momentum as the evening progresses. The attention surrounding de Armas blends admiration for her commitment to Monroe with recognition of the broader significance of Latino representation at the Academy Awards.
In welcoming words to her younger followers, de Armas underscored the importance of dreaming big. She urged aspiring actors to pursue opportunities with courage, even when challenges arise, and to step beyond their comfort zones to chase ambitious goals.
The 95th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place this Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the festivities set to begin at 5:00 p.m. local time. Host duties will be handled by Jimmy Kimmel, who is expected to guide the evening with his signature blend of humor and flair.