Viola Davis, Riz Ahmed, Emerald Fennell and Sacha Baron Cohen react to 2021 Oscar nominations

Riz Ahmed, Emerald Fennell and Viola Davis are among the stars freaking out about their nominations at the 2021 Oscars.

The nominations were announced on Monday with a diverse line-up of talent in the main categories.

Actors have been giving their reactions to this year’s nods, with Sound of Metal star Riz tweeting: ‘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.

‘These nominations represents the time, generosity 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 inspire us to forge new and deeper connections with ourselves and others.’

Director Emerald Fennell, who is up for best director for Promising Young Woman, wrote on Twitter: ‘So proud and grateful to every amazing person who worked on this film. Never going to stop crying.’

Viola Davis, up for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, posted on social media: ‘Absolutely thrilled!! Congratulations to the whole @MaRaineyFilm team! Deserved!’

Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen said of his nod for The Trial of the Chicago 7: ‘Congratulations Aaron Sorkin and the entire team behind Chicago 7 for six Oscar nominations!

‘I am grateful to the Academy to be a small part of this morning’s honours and I share my nomination with the incredible actors of Chicago 7 who are equally deserving of this accolade.’

His Borat Subsequent Moviefilm co-star Maria Bakalova, nominated for best supporting actress, said of her nod: ‘Wow Wa We Waa! Thank you to the Academy for this honour! I really can’t believe this – to hear my name in the company of these remarkable women and their breath-taking performances is a dream come true! I am so grateful to Sacha Baron Cohen and my Borat family and congratulations to them for their Adapted Screen play nomination.’

Daniel Kaluuya, nominated for best supporting actor for Judas and the Black Messiah, said in a statement: ‘Today, I am humbled to be nominated for portraying a man whose principles I deeply respect and for guiding me to walk in his footsteps.

‘With the blessing of Chairman Fred Hampton’s family, and the unwavering support from Ryan Coogler, Shaka King and Charles King, and the cast led by LaKeith Stanfield and Dominique Fishback, I became a vessel for Chairman Fred’s spirit at a time when we need his rally cry for equality and justice more than ever.

‘I commend my fellow nominees for their impressive work. To be seen and celebrated by my peers in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is beautifully humbling and I am deeply grateful.’

Gary Oldman said of his best actor nod: ‘After such a stressed pandemic year, there is a kind of comfort and reassurance in knowing that we soldier on in many ways with important traditions. In our industry there is nothing more traditional than the Academy Awards, which hopefully sends a sign of hope that we will get out of this. The Oscars are such a sign that normalcy still exists. In my case today marks my third Academy Award Nomination. Not to trivialize the current state of the world, it is a source of great pride and an honour to be recognized alongside these other tremendous, wonderful artists.’

Chloe Zhao, who is up for best director for Minari – which received six nods in total – said: ‘I’m so thrilled for our nominations! Thank you to the Academy.

‘I’m grateful to have gone on this journey with our talented team of filmmakers and to have met so many wonderful people who generously shared their stories with us.

‘Thank you so much to my Academy peers for recognising this film that is very close to my heart.’

For the full list of nominees head here.

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