HOLLYWOOD—By now everyone knows that James Franco and Anne Hathaway are hosting the Academy Awards on February 27. Anne Hathaway has come a long way from “Get Real” back in 1999, which only ran one season. Co-host Franco was one of the leads on NBC’s canceled-but brilliant teen dramedy “Freaks and Geeks,” and he cut off his own arm in the movie “127 Hours.”
Millions will be tuning in to watch the Oscars and to see who will wear what on the red carpet. However, besides the red carpet we will be listening carefully to the acceptance speeches this year. After the fiasco last year with that redhead woman who hijacked Roger Ross Williams’s speech for best documentary short, we began to take notice. You may recall that co-producer Elinor Burkett rudely interrupted him and took over the podium while Williams stood there with a frozen smile (a la Taylor Swift). Of course, the worst 2010 speech went to Sandy Powell, the costume designer who took her third Oscar home. “I already have two of these so I’m feeling greedy,” Powell said, before dedicating the award to other designers who don’t get to work on films about “dead monarchs or glittery musicals.” How thoughtful of her.
I just don’t get it. So many nominees spend weeks working out, preparing over the perfect outfit, hairstyle and shoes, yet they neglect to prepare for the most important moment—accepting the Oscar. I’m not going to look into my crystal ball and predict the winners; however, I will provide a speech guide for the stars. Oscar winners could learn a lot from past hits and misses. The biggest night in Hollywood should be prepared and nominees should give some thought to the most important seconds of their lives. It’s beyond my intelligence why these superstars decide to wing it. If only the stars knew how awkward they look when they don’t have a strategy when it comes to talking to their fans and giving an acceptance speech.
Be humble and relatable. Think Lindsay Lohan when she took to the stage in the movie “Mean Girls” to accept her crown, and delivered a truly, touching speech. Sandra Bullock’s speech last year for Best Actress was humbling and heartfelt. You may also recall Jamie Foxx’s speech where cried and recalled his grandmother. His speech came from the heart, which made it brilliant and touching. The speech brought tears to my eyes. Hilary Swank’s speech back in 2005 was humble and brought hope to all who dream. It was a classic speech that appealed to all classes of life.
You certainly don’t want to appear annoying and arrogant. Just study Julia Roberts when she accepted her Best Actress Oscar, when she addressed the shows conductor as “Stick Man” and told him to put his stick down.
Who could forget Sally Field. “You really, really like me.” It had the audience in stitches. Touching, funny and sweet. A superstar doesn’t want to blank out and stare at the audience, look for the little piece of paper of “Thank-yous” or do a Drew Barrymore speech a couple of years ago when she rambled at the SAG awards. Worst case scenario, if all else fails, and you forget your speech, you can turn on the waterworks. Gwyneth Paltrow did it back in 1999, when she accepted her gold statue for Best Actress. It’s a human emotion and everyone will think you’re sweet and vulnerable.
Rose’s Scoop: Ladies, remember less is more for the Oscars, forget the lace and ruffles. Low-key elegance and old Hollywood glamour is back. The nominees should reconsider wearing red gowns since the carpet is red. Let’s hope the ladies did sets of arm exercises with hand weights. Nobody wants to see bingo wings flapping when you lift the Oscar. Good luck to everyone!
