Oscar nominations 2021: Viola Davis and Riz Ahmed react to being included in this year’s list

Viola Davis made history on Monday morning after she was nominated for her fourth Oscar – the most number of overall acting nominations for a black women in the history of Hollywood.

Viola, 55, who was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, said she was ‘absolutely thrilled.’

The Oscar award winning actress shared her excitement on her Instagram page, writing: ‘Congratulations to the whole @MaRaineyFilm team!’

Viola won an Oscar in 2016 for Best Supporting Actress for Fences; she was nominated in 2008 for Best Supporting Actress for Doubt and Best Actress in 2011 for The Help.

Fellow nominee Riz Ahmed also made history as the first Muslim nominated for lead actor at the Oscars, the LA Times reported.

The actor is up for Best Actor for his performance in Sound of Metal.

In 2017, Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar; he took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Moonlight. 

He won Best Supporting Actor again in 2019 for his film Green Book. 

Riz took to his Instagram to react; the 38-year-old actor shared several snaps from the films with a lengthy caption.

He said: Wow! I’m honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances, and am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement. I’m equally thrilled for our visionary writer-director Darius Marder and the brilliant Paul Raci, as well as our editor Mikkel, sound designer Nicolas, and co-writer Abe Marder.’ 

He continued: ‘These nominations represents the time, genorisity and talents of so many – all of our incredible cast, crew, producers and in particular I’d like to thank my mentors in the drumming, addiction recovery, and D/deaf communities.

‘Sound of Metal is about how a health crisis can cut you off from your life and loved ones, and force you to grow in unexpected ways. In a challenging year for so many, I hope this story can inspired us to forge new and deeper connections with ourselves and others.’ 

Chris Pratt took took to his Instagram page to react to news his film Onward was nominated for Best Animated Feature. 

Chris voiced the character Barley Lightfoot opposite Tom Holland, who voiced his brother Ian Lightfoot.

He said of the nom: ‘I’m so happy to be part of this Oscar nominated movie. Congratulations to the cast and crew of #PixarOnward for its #Oscars nomination for Best Animated Feature!’

Amanda Seyfried earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Mank.

The 35-year-old said of the nom: ‘Working with David Fincher on Mank has been the highlight of my career, and being recognized by the Academy for an experience that brought me this much joy and fulfillment feels surreal,’ via The Wrap.

‘I won’t be able to thank David enough for trusting me with this role and for the honor of reintroducing the world to the Marion Davies that I’ve come to know. To get to study this brilliant, humble woman and help restore her legacy has been a true privilege.’

‘Congratulations to David, Gary and the whole cast and crew of Mank today – your brilliance has not gone unnoticed and I am humbled to share this recognition with you.’ 

Carey Mulligan received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for Promising Young Woman.

She said: ‘I’m absolutely elated this morning, and I am so honoured to be in such esteemed company across all categories. Thank you to the Academy for embracing this story which means so much to me. IT’s all thanks to my dear friend – the fearless, hilarious, bold writer and director Emerald Fennell and the incredible cast and crew she assembled,’ per The Wrap.

‘We all signed on because we believed wholeheartedly in her vision, and I’m so grateful to her for inviting me to be a part of it.’

Emerald Fennell earned three nods – Best Director, Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay for Promising Young Woman.

She tweeted: ‘So proud and grateful to every amazing person who worked on this film. Never going to stop crying.’

Daniel Kaluuya earned a nod for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah.

He said: ‘Chairman Fred Hampton was a light, a beacon of a being who would illuminate all he touched with his incredible message. With the ability to command any stage and robbed of his opportunity to captivate a global audience. He created strategies that supported and uplifted the black community but also unified other communities with his laugh, his mind, his passion and his love,’ per The Wrap.

Yuh-Jung Youn earned a nod for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Minari; she said: ‘Never in my dreams did I ever think a Korean actress would be nominated for an Oscar, and I can’t believe it’s me!’ in a statement to The Wrap.

Adding: ‘I am incredibly humbled by the honor. Thank you so much AMPAS, A24, Plan B, my “Minari” family and our entire cast and crew. We made this film with love, and I think you for loving us back. And thank you, Isaac. This is all because of you!’