Oscars 2022: Billie Eilish, Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman and More React to Nominations

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Oscars 2022: Billie Eilish, Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman and More React to Nominations

A cause for celebration! It didn’t take long for Hollywood to commemorate the 94th annual Academy Awards nominations —and Us Weekly has rounded up the best reactions from your favorite stars. Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross announced the Oscar noms on Tuesday, February 8, revealing The Power of the Dog leads the pack with 12 potential wins. The Netflix film is up for Best Picture, Best Directing (Jane Campion), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kirsten Dunst) and Best Adapted Screenplay. “To be honored by the Academy is a truly humbling experience. For both Jesse and I to get our first nominations together is beyond our wildest dreams,” Dunst said in a statement to Us Weekly, referring to her costar and real-life partner. The Bring It On star and the Friday Night Lights alum have been linked since 2016. Us confirmed in January 2017 that he popped the question and Dunst gave birth to their first child, son Ennis, in May 2018. The couple welcomed their second son, James, in 2021. [jwplayer 4KF5sZpZ-zhNYySv2] “They’ve started working together on projects and it’s made their relationship even stronger. They love to spend as much time together as possible,” a source told Us last year before shedding light on their dynamic. “Kirsten used to be in some more dramatic and toxic type of relationships, but Jesse is different. He’s more quiet, supportive and really lets Kirsten shine.” Dune is the second most-nominated film, with 10 honors, including Best Picture and Best Cinematography. “Working with Denis Villeneuve and the entire cast and crew of Dune is an honor that often only happens once in a lifetime,” cinematographer Greig Fraser said in a statement. “Frank Herbert's story resonates with so many readers worldwide and I can't think of a better team of artists to have made this interpretation of his legendary words. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have supported our aesthetic vision from day one and to now be recognized by our colleagues with this nomination is the icing on the cake!” While West Side Story nabbed seven nominations — including Best Picture, Best Directing (Steven Spielberg) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Ariana DeBose) — Rachel Zegler reacted to her best actress snub via Twitter. “So proud of our film. so proud of ariana, tod, gary, paul, adam, rena, andy, brian, shawn, janusz, and steven,” she wrote. “What a beautiful recognition for a true labor of love.” Rounding out the Best Picture nominees are Belfast, Drive My Car, Don’t Look Up, Licorice Pizza, CODA, King Richard and Nightmare Alley. Scroll through for a series of reactions from the nominees:

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Oscars 2022: Billie Eilish, Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman and More React to Nominations

A cause for celebration! It didn’t take long for Hollywood to commemorate the 94th annual Academy Awards nominations —and Us Weekly has rounded up the best reactions from your favorite stars. Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross announced the Oscar noms on Tuesday, February 8, revealing The Power of the Dog leads the pack with 12 potential wins. The Netflix film is up for Best Picture, Best Directing (Jane Campion), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kirsten Dunst) and Best Adapted Screenplay. “To be honored by the Academy is a truly humbling experience. For both Jesse and I to get our first nominations together is beyond our wildest dreams,” Dunst said in a statement to Us Weekly, referring to her costar and real-life partner. The Bring It On star and the Friday Night Lights alum have been linked since 2016. Us confirmed in January 2017 that he popped the question and Dunst gave birth to their first child, son Ennis, in May 2018. The couple welcomed their second son, James, in 2021. [jwplayer 4KF5sZpZ-zhNYySv2] “They’ve started working together on projects and it’s made their relationship even stronger. They love to spend as much time together as possible,” a source told Us last year before shedding light on their dynamic. “Kirsten used to be in some more dramatic and toxic type of relationships, but Jesse is different. He’s more quiet, supportive and really lets Kirsten shine.” Dune is the second most-nominated film, with 10 honors, including Best Picture and Best Cinematography. “Working with Denis Villeneuve and the entire cast and crew of Dune is an honor that often only happens once in a lifetime,” cinematographer Greig Fraser said in a statement. “Frank Herbert's story resonates with so many readers worldwide and I can't think of a better team of artists to have made this interpretation of his legendary words. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have supported our aesthetic vision from day one and to now be recognized by our colleagues with this nomination is the icing on the cake!” While West Side Story nabbed seven nominations — including Best Picture, Best Directing (Steven Spielberg) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Ariana DeBose) — Rachel Zegler reacted to her best actress snub via Twitter. “So proud of our film. so proud of ariana, tod, gary, paul, adam, rena, andy, brian, shawn, janusz, and steven,” she wrote. “What a beautiful recognition for a true labor of love.” Rounding out the Best Picture nominees are Belfast, Drive My Car, Don’t Look Up, Licorice Pizza, CODA, King Richard and Nightmare Alley. Scroll through for a series of reactions from the nominees:

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Kristen Stewart

"WOW I wish [director] Pablo [Larraín] and I were in the same country today," the Diana star’s statement read. "I am speechless and humbled this morning. I am bowled over by this. I never thought in a thousand years I’d be in the company of these four incredible women," Stewart added. "I would pay to make movies. I would make them if it was illegal. This is dream state, to share on this level. I am so touched and I am so grateful for the work that was generated on this film. I'm so proud to be a part of our film community. I am SO happy. It is a good day.”

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Enrico Casarosa

“We are incredibly honored and grateful to the Academy for this nomination,” the Luca director said in a statement. “Luca began as a personal story inspired by a life changing friendship and nostalgia for summers spent on the Italian Riviera - and we were delighted that the universal message of accepting those in any way different from us resonated with audiences around the world. We would like to thank everyone at Pixar who helped bring this story to life. Grazie mille!”

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Andrew Garfield

“Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would be given the chance to honor Jonathan Larson and his legacy of revolutionary art and community healing through this heart-filled movie tick, tick,…BOOM!” the lead actor nominee said. “By bestowing this recognition upon me, you honor our genius director Lin-Manuel Miranda, our producers Julie Larson, Julie Oh and Celia Costas, the entire cast and crew, and everyone at Imagine and Netflix. We are a true family to our core. To be among 26 leading male performances to be nominated for an Oscar for their work in a musical, and to be initiated into that group with the likes of Bing Crosby, Roy Scheider, Gene Kelly and James Cagney, I am deeply humbled. All I long for is to tell stories that remind us of how to live. Jonathan’s story offers us a treasure map. Thank you for keeping his song reverberating through our universe. Love Andrew.”

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Lin-Manuel Miranda

"So many times I happy screamed for friends this morning (Questlove! Ariana DeBose! Paul Tazewell! And more!) but I woke up all of Washington Heights for Germaine Franco and Andrew Garfield and our tick, tick … BOOM! editors Myron Kerstein and Andy Weisblum,” the musician, who is nominated for Best Original Song, said. “Grateful beyond belief to the music branch and to the Academy for recognizing our work on Encanto. Germaine is such a singular talent and I'm so proud to work alongside her. And 'Dos Oruguitas' is a very special song to both our movie and my family--thank you so much.”

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Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger

“On behalf of our entire production, we are honored that the Academy has recognized our film,” the producing team said. “Filmmaking is, by nature, a collaborative experience and we learned first-hand that musicals require a special kind of team effort. We share today's excitement with the families and estates of West Side Story's creators; our fellow nominees; our incredible screenwriter Tony Kushner; our much-missed friend and cheerleader, Stephen Sondheim; and fans all over the world who celebrate West Side Story's singular music and timeless story of intolerance, love and, ultimately, hope.“

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Jessica Chastain

“This morning felt like a dream. As Tammy Faye would say, WE’RE BLEST!!!” the Eyes of Tammy Faye star said in a statement. “To be acknowledged by The Academy amongst all of the other incredible actresses that were nominated this year feels surreal. I am incredibly honored to have been recognized along with our brilliant makeup and hair team. This project holds such a special place in my heart. Tammy Faye, thank you for sharing your love with the world, I am so excited to celebrate the amazing person you are with a new generation. THANK YOU to everyone who helped bring her story to life and to The Academy for acknowledging my role as Tammy Faye. I am over the moon!”

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Javier Bardem

“To embody Desi Arnaz’s spirit was a privilege and an honor and to be connected to his energy and legacy is something I will never forget. Thank you to his family for trusting me with the responsibility of bringing this larger-than-life entertainer and entrepreneur to screen," the Being the Ricardos actor said. "Thank you to the Academy for this acknowledgement, it is a very special moment for me to be recognized among the most talented actors of our time; Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Benedict Cumberbatch and Andrew Garfield. Congratulations to my friends Nicole and J.K. for your much deserved recognitions. Thank you to Aaron Sorkin for the beautiful script and direction that brought us all here, and finally thank you to Amazon for your unwavering support. I couldn’t be happier to share this celebration with my talented wife, Penelope, for her work in Parallel Mothers. Thank you.”

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Ciaran Hinds

“Having worked in this industry for nearly 50 years, I thought there wasn’t much that could surprise me still,” the Belfast actor said. “Today, I can honestly say, I am astounded, thrilled and deeply grateful.”

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Zach Baylin

“Thank you to the Academy!!! I'm so unbelievably proud and humbled to be nominated beside such an amazing group of writers,” the King Richard screenplay writer said in a statement. “This film was an incredibly collaborative effort and I'm honored to share this moment with Will, Aunjanue, Pam, Demi, Saniyya, Jon, Tony, and the whole cast. Rei, you made a beautiful film and we are all standing on your shoulders. I can never thank Isha and the Williams family enough for allowing me to be a small part of their story and to Tim, Trevor, WB and all the producers who put this film on their back and willed it onto the screen, thank you! Hope you are as proud this morning as I am!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!”

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Nicole Kidman

WOW! I’m so overwhelmed!  Just having breakfast with my family when the nominations came in. What a beautiful way to find out!” the Being the Ricardos star and best actress nominee told Us in a statement. “I share this with them, Javier, JK, Nina and with ALL the cast and Aaron Sorkin, as this is ours together.  This was the hardest role I’ve ever done and to be honored this way is deeply appreciated.  And to Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr, thank you for trusting me with the opportunity to inhabit your mother.  Lucille Ball is one of Hollywood’s greatest icons.  She was ahead of her time.  From actress to producer to studio head, mother and wife, she’s an extraordinary inspiration!  Thank you Lucille Ball.  And to everyone who worked on this film both in front of and behind the camera, our passionate and hardworking crew, Amazon, Todd Black, Aaron Sorkin, this nomination is ours to share!”

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Ariana DeBose

“My morning walk along the river was extra special today. I am absolutely overjoyed by this morning’s news," the West Side Story star said. "To be recognized alongside such incredible women for their inspiring performances is surreal enough, but to share this celebration with Steven, Kristie, and the entire team that made our beautiful movie is a dream come true. I’m so thankful to the Academy for this acknowledgement and am beyond grateful to Steven, Kristie, and everyone at Amblin and Disney. What a moment.”

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Finneas O'Connell and Billie Eilish

“Words cannot describe how honored and excited we are to have been nominated for an Academy Award for our song ‘No Time To Die.’ It was a lifelong dream of ours to write a Bond theme, and one we never thought would ever come true,” the powerhouse siblings said in a statement to Us. “It’s completely unbelievable that we are here being recognized for this song, and this is a peak life experience for us as songwriters and artists. To be recognized today among these other incredible nominees is something we most certainly do not take for granted. Thank you to the Academy, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson for allowing us this incredible opportunity, and to be part of Daniel Craig’s unparalleled legacy as James Bond. Thank you to Cary Joji Fukunaga, and last but not least, thank you to Hans Zimmer, Stephen Lipson and Johnny Marr for being an absolute joy to work with on this song.”

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Kirsten Dunst

“To be honored by the Academy is a truly humbling experience. For both Jesse and I to get our first nominations together is beyond our wildest dreams,” the Best Support Actress nominee told Us in a statement. “Congratulations to Jane, Benedict, Kodi and Jesse on their nominations and the entire cast and crew of The Power of the Dog. Working on this film was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m forever grateful for Jane trusting me to bring Rose’s story to life. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing our work and for putting me amongst such a remarkable group of actresses.”

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Kenneth Branagh

“It’s a long way from the streets of Belfast to the Academy Awards. Today, I think of my mother and father, and my grandparents - how proud they were to be Irish, how much this city meant to them. They would have been overwhelmed by this incredible honor - as am I,” the director said in a statement to Us. “Given a story as personal as this one, it’s a hell of a day for my family, and the family of our film. I thank Academy voters for their incredible and generous recognition. We are honored to be among the other extraordinary nominees in a remarkable year for films, and I salute the superb cast and crew of Belfast for their exceptional talent, comradeship and kindness.”

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Adam McKay

The Don’t Look Up director celebrated the movie’s Best Picture nom: “I could not be more thrilled. Loved seeing the recognition for our incredibly talented composer Nicholas Britell and our legendary editor Hank Corwin. I am honored by the Best Original Screenplay nomination with David Sirota, especially as I personally started as a writer. And most of all, of course, Best Picture nomination, which is a reflection of hundreds of people who went above and beyond to make this movie happen during such challenging and difficult times. Thank you to the Academy, I’m extremely grateful.”