More than two decades after becoming the very first winner of “American Idol,” Kelly Clarkson is revealing a surprising behind-the-scenes detail about the show that launched her career. 

While chatting with guests on her daytime program, Clarkson shared that one of the biggest prizes associated with winning the competition was not what she had expected at the time. 

The unexpected admission left her guests stunned and quickly sparked laughter and disbelief from the studio audience.

Kelly Clarkson Says‘American Idol’ Prize Wasn’t What It Seemed

Kelly Clarkson’s revelation happened during a recent episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” where she welcomed actor Daniel Radcliffe and reality television personality Rob Rausch as guests. 

The conversation turned toward reality competition winnings after Clarkson asked Rausch about the money he earned from his victory on “The Traitors.”

When Rausch revealed he was still waiting to receive his $220,800 prize money, Clarkson immediately jumped in with an unexpected confession. 

The singer explained that she understood the situation more than people might think because of her own experience after winning “American Idol” back in 2002.

“You know what, I relate to this!” Clarkson said, prompting curiosity from her guests. She went on to explain that the grand prize viewers heard about during the show did not quite work the way she had expected at the time she won.

Clarkson Says The ‘Million Dollar’ Prize Wasn’t Exactly Cash

As Kelly Clarkson continued the story, she explained that the famous million-dollar prize often mentioned during the show wasn’t delivered in the simple way many fans imagined.

“And they were like, ‘Oh, you win a million dollars,’ or whatever. No, you didn’t. They lied,” Clarkson explained while recalling the moment she realized how the prize was structured.

According to the 43-year-old, the amount was essentially tied to investment in her career rather than a direct payment to the winner. 

“It was, like, a million dollars worth of investment in you,” she told the audience.

The explanation caught Radcliffe completely off guard. The “Harry Potter” star immediately interrupted the story to confirm what he had just heard, asking in disbelief, “Wait, what?”

Clarkson quickly reassured him the claim was accurate, responding simply, “Yes!” as the audience reacted with surprise.

Kelly Clarkson Reveals The Car She Expected Never Arrived

Clarkson didn’t stop at the million-dollar discussion. The “Because of You” singer also remembered another part of the prize package that she says never materialized.

At the time she won the competition, Clarkson had been told she would receive a car as part of the reward. 

She explained that the vehicle would have been particularly helpful because her own car had been damaged and she couldn’t afford the insurance deductible needed to repair it.

“And then they said you get a car,” she recalled during the conversation. However, the songstress revealed the promised vehicle never actually came her way.

“And then – no! I did not get a car.” The revelation prompted audible reactions from the crowd, as many audience members appeared shocked by the story.

Clarkson Was Stunned When Clay Aiken Got A Car Instead

The situation became even more surprising when Kelly Clarkson shared what she learned shortly afterward about another “American Idol” contestant.

According to the Grammy Award winner, Clay Aiken, who finished as runner-up during the show’s second season, ended up receiving a car along with his mother.

“And then Clay Aiken, who didn’t win the second season, got a car and his mom!” Clarkson told the audience, drawing shocked reactions from the crowd.

Rausch reacted immediately by shaking his head and saying, “Unbelievable,” while Clarkson admitted she was equally stunned when she first heard about it.

“I was like, ‘What the f-ck!’” she said as she remembered the moment. The star even joked that she had confronted Aiken about the situation back then, telling the audience she had teased him after hearing the story.

Kelly Clarkson Reflects On How ‘American Idol’ Changed Her Life

Despite the surprising revelations about the prize package, Clarkson has never hidden how much winning “American Idol” transformed her life and career.

After taking the title in 2002, she quickly became one of the show’s most successful alumni. 

Clarkson went on to release hit songs like “A Moment Like This,” “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” and “Because of You,” helping establish her as one of pop music’s biggest voices.

In 2025, she reflected on the anniversary of her win by thanking fans who supported her during the competition. 

“Winning American Idol changed my life and I will be forever grateful for all of you that have supported me for so many years,” she wrote per the Daily Mail.

Clarkson’s success has been evident, but her life hasn’t been without challenges. 

Earlier this year, she revealed she would step away from “The Kelly Clarkson Show” after seven seasons to focus more on her family, especially her kids, following the death of their father in August 2025.

Speaking about the decision during an appearance on “Today,” Clarkson said balancing everything had become overwhelming. 

“There’s just too much on the plate,” Clarkson admitted, while making it clear she still planned to remain active in her career moving forward.

Sonja Norwood is standing by her son, Ray J, amid his ongoing court case with the Kardashian-Jenner family. On Thursday (March 12), Norwood took to social media to respond to Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner‘s recent testimony about Ray and Kim’s viral intimate tape. The singer has previously argued that the tape was a calculated move. However, under oath, Kardashian and her mom have claimed otherwise.

RELATED: Ray J’s Mom Sonja Norwood Speaks Out And Sets The Record Straight On His Health (WATCH)

Court Docs Recap Kardashian-Jenner’s Intimate Tape Comments

In October, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner sued Ray J for defamation related to his years-long claim of orchestrating the tape release and 2025 allegation of having a RICO case against the women. He clapped back in a countersuit in November, accusing them of violating a $6 million settlement. That settlement, reached in 2023, bans all parties from speaking on the tape. In addition to having their defamation lawsuit dismissed, Ray is seeking $1 million in damages and other relief, per PEOPLE.  Most recently, according to TMZ, the momager and billionaire businesswoman called his statements a lie while under oath.

“[Ray J’s] claim that I had a plan with my mother and others to release a sex tape, defraud the public, and file a ‘fake’ lawsuit against the porn company that released it to ‘create buzz’ is a lie,” Kim K reportedly said per court documents.

Meanwhile, Kris Jenner reportedly responded to Ray J’s accusations of her committing “commercial exploitation.” She said claim is “absolutely false.” Also, adding that it’s untrue, she made Kim film an intimate tape or decide when and how to release it—a claim Ray J made in a cross-complaint filing.

In recent declarations, Kris Jenner has reportedly accused Ray J of “publicly terrorizing” her daughter for two decades. For context, the tape was released in 2007 and depicts consensual intercourse between the former couple during a vacation to Cabo San Lucas. Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian has reportedly expressed fear that Ray J’s claims could jeopardize her lawyer aspirations.

Sonja Norwood Says Ray J’s Version Of Events Is The “Truth”

After news of Kim and Kris slamming Ray J’s claims surfaced, Sonja Norwood made her stance known. Taking to Instagram early Thursday, she shared a photo that reads, “Denying the truth doesn’t make it disappear.” But it was her caption that stood ten toes down for her boy and “his journey to bring the truth forward.” She claimed that Kris and Kim know “the truth” about the tape, and even posed a question directly at the momager. And just so there’s no confusion about who wrote what, Sonja Norwood signed her name to the caption!

“Who did? After reading the declarations from Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian, and reading their recent statements circulating, including reports published across multiple media outlets regarding the tape, I am no longer going to sit back and watch my son be “dogged” on social media over this matter when @rayj and I, Kris and Kim, and many others know the truth. And Kris, momager, you say you did not orchestrate the commercial release of the tape. Then who did? I support @rayj and his journey to bring the truth forward. I have witnessed this journey for many years, and however long it takes, whether it becomes a long journey or a difficult battle, we will stay on that path until the voices that have distorted the truth are publicly revealed. And if that truth journey must continue all the way to the doorstep of God’s judgment, then so be it,” Norwood wrote.

RELATED: Amy Luciani Reacts After Dwight Howard Files For Divorce, Royce Reed Seemingly Weighs In

For years, Katherine Heigl seemed unstoppable in Hollywood. After breaking out on the hit drama “Grey’s Anatomy” and becoming a rom-com favorite, the actress quickly rose to A-list status. 

However, the momentum didn’t last. A mix of controversies, industry rumors, and headline-making comments gradually changed how she was perceived in Hollywood. 

Today, Heigl lives far from the spotlight, prompting fans to wonder whether her career slowdown was truly her choice or the result of a reputation she struggled to shake.

Katherine Heigl Went From Hollywood Darling To Industry Controversy

Katherine Heigl’s rise in Hollywood happened quickly after she landed the role of Dr. Izzie Stevens in “Grey’s Anatomy” in 2005. 

The role earned her widespread recognition and eventually an Emmy Award in 2007, placing her among television’s most talked-about stars.

Around the same time, she became a major box office presence with romantic comedies like “Knocked Up,” directed by Judd Apatow. 

For a period, Heigl appeared poised to dominate both television and film.

However, the actress’s image began shifting after several public comments created friction in Hollywood circles. 

“She started her career early and was the darling and the next big thing, but how she dealt with her co-stars at Grey’s and [2007 movie] Knocked Up was well documented,” an insider told the Daily Mail.

Critics started describing her as “difficult,” a label that would follow her for years.

According to the source, the narrative surrounding her behavior became difficult to escape. 

“Katherine, as we all know, was forced out of Hollywood for being difficult,” the insider claimed, suggesting the reputation stuck long after the initial controversies.

Heigl’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Comments Sparked Industry Backlash

One of the earliest controversies came during the height of Katherine Heigl’s success on “Grey’s Anatomy.” 

In 2008, the actress withdrew herself from Emmy consideration despite previously winning the award for the role.

She explained that she had not been given the material that season to warrant an Emmy nomination. 

Many interpreted the statement as a criticism of the show’s creative team, including creator Shonda Rhimes. 

The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about controversies surrounding the actress. Heigl later admitted the situation could have been handled differently and said she apologized privately. 

Still, tensions continued to build when she later appeared on a late night show, where she described the show’s long filming schedule as cruel and mean.

Looking back, Heigl acknowledged she regretted how the comment sounded, admitting she felt embarrassed by how “whiny [she] sounded.”

Katherine Heigl’s Film Comments Also Stirred Tension With Co-Stars

Television wasn’t the only place where controversy followed Heigl. Her comments about “Knocked Up,” the comedy that helped expand her movie career, also drew criticism.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, the 47-year-old described the film as “a little sexist,” explaining that it portrayed women as “shrews, humorless and uptight.” 

The remarks created tension with her co-star Seth Rogen, who later addressed the issue during a conversation with Howard Stern.

Rogen said he felt his “trust” had been “betrayed” by the comments, which surprised many fans because the film had been one of the biggest hits of Heigl’s career.

At the same time, reports surfaced suggesting the actress had failed to appear on set to film episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy” during its sixth season.

Heigl rejected those claims, explaining that she had been on family leave after adopting her daughter and was waiting for the production team to call her back to work.

Eventually, she and Rhimes reached an agreement that allowed her to leave the show early, bringing her time on the series to an end in 2010.

Heigl Later Fought Back Against Her ‘Difficult’ Reputation

As the narrative around her career grew, Katherine Heigl began publicly addressing the label that had followed her for years.

In a 2021 interview with The Washington Post, she spoke openly about how her comments had been interpreted and how the criticism escalated over time.

“I may have said a couple of things you didn’t like, but then that escalated to ‘she’s ungrateful,’ then that escalated to ‘she’s difficult,’ and that escalated to ‘she’s unprofessional,’” she said.

Heigl also questioned what people truly meant when they described someone as difficult. “What is your definition of difficult? Somebody with an opinion that you don’t like? Now, I’m 42, and that sh-t pisses me off.”

Despite the ongoing reputation challenges, the actress continued working in television, including roles in “Suits” and the Netflix series “Firefly Lane.”

Katherine Heigl’s Life In Utah And Political Rumors Spark New Debate

In recent years, Heigl has stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight and built a quieter life with her husband, musician Josh Kelley, and their three children on a large ranch in Utah.

Heigl has also focused heavily on animal welfare. She launched the dog food brand Badlands Ranch in 2022 and turned part of her property into an animal sanctuary.

Recently, her appearance at a charity event held at Mar-a-Lago sparked speculation about her political views, something she has largely avoided discussing publicly.

According to a source, the actress is cautious about entering political debates because it could affect how she is perceived in Hollywood.

“The reason Katherine avoids political talk is because she is already blacklisted with so many in Hollywood. If she brought politics into the situation, she would inevitably alienate herself further,” the source said.

They also emphasized that her attendance at the event was connected to a personal cause rather than politics. “Having been seen at Mar-a-Lago, people will talk, but the event was a fundraiser close to her heart. She didn’t go because of any political leanings,” the source shared.

Even so, the insider suggested rebuilding her standing in Hollywood could be difficult. 

They said, “Katherine can’t seem to shake the attitude she brought to Hollywood when she was on top of the world. It’s an uphill battle right now. If she gets another chance, she will gladly play accordingly to have a comeback, but it isn’t going to happen soon since so many people don’t like her.”

The source also suggested that Heigl will likely continue avoiding political discussions in the future.

They shared,  “Though she is outspoken when she has to be, she will continue avoiding politics and will not bash anyone whether they deserve it or not.”

Gisele Bündchen has long been the poster child for effortless beauty, known for her glowing skin, barely-there makeup and naturally long lashes. One of the products helping create that signature look is the Sweed Cloud Mascara — a cult-favorite formula loved for giving lashes a soft, fluttery finish without looking heavy or overdone. Designed to add length and lift while keeping lashes feathery and natural, it perfectly complements Bündchen’s iconic ‘no-makeup makeup’ aesthetic.

The product was recently spotlighted when makeup artist Jenna Anton revealed on Instagram that the mascara is one of the staples she uses while creating Bündchen’s signature fresh-faced look. The formula is designed to build length and definition without creating that thick, overly dramatic effect. Instead of clumping or weighing lashes down, it separates and lifts each lash, creating the appearance of longer, fuller lashes that still look soft and natural.

Get the Sweed Cloud Mascara for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Related: The Secret to Gisele Bundchen‘s Youthful, Dewy Look? This 3-in-1 Glaze

Have you wondered how Gisele Bündchen could pass for a 30-year-old in her mid-forties? (I know I have.) Part of it is because of makeup, but according to her makeup artist, it’s mainly due to this 3-in-1 skincare glaze. Bündchen was absolutely glowing in her new Garnier campaign, and to get that clean, sunkissed makeup […]

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The brush also plays a big role in the result: it has a slim wand that’s designed to grab even the tiniest lashes and coat them evenly from root to tip, helping create that airy, fluttery effect that defines even the sparsest lashes. The formula layers easily too, so you can keep the look subtle with one coat or build it up for a bit more drama without ending up with stiff or spidery lashes.

To use it, start at the base of the lashes and gently wiggle the wand upward to distribute the product evenly. One coat creates soft definition, while a second coat enhances length and lift. Because the formula stays lightweight, lashes maintain that fluffy, separated look rather than feeling crunchy or weighed down.

One Amazon reviewer who called it the “best mascara” said it doesn’t “clump” or “smudge” and that “one coat on your lashes is all it takes” to “lengthen, curl and give volume.”

If you’re after lashes that look long, lifted and effortlessly pretty, this celebrity-loved mascara might be worth adding to your routine. Shop Sweed Beauty’s Cloud Mascara now to recreate Bündchen’s signature fluttery lash look!

Get the Sweed Cloud Mascara for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more mascaras here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Bethenny Frankel Said This $13 Mascara Makes Lashes ‘Go on for Days‘

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When Bethenny Frankel finds a beauty product she genuinely loves, she doesn’t just recommend it — she raves about it. So when she started gushing over L’Oréal’s Extensionist Mascara, fans were all ears. Known for her no-nonsense approach to beauty and brutal honesty about what actually works, Frankel recently took to Instagram to praise the […]

Ever since Steven Spielberg‘s Jaws was released in 1975, killer shark movies haven’t lost much steam, whether on streaming or on the big screen. Jason Statham added some box office juice to the subgenre with his blockbuster The Meg in 2018, while other recent films, like Jai Courtney‘s Dangerous Animals, have added new twists to how the sea creatures are utilized in the on-screen thrills. For Netflix, the recent French horror actioner Under Paris found success by mixing a Jaws-like premise with a personal story of loss centering on a biologist whose husband was killed by a vicious shark now loose in the Seine River. The streamer is now about to deliver a more comedic, yet still harrowing take on the aquatic predators in just one month, written and directed by Violent Night‘s Tommy Wirkola.

Premiering on April 10, Thrash combines a killer shark thriller with an environmental disaster flick, taking place in a coastal South Carolina town ravaged by a Category 5 hurricane. The storm surge destroys homes, upends lives, and generally brings devastation, but worst of all, it paves the way for ravenous bullsharks to enter neighborhoods and feast on anyone left alive. Those who are fortunate enough not to be killed by the flood are forced into a battle for survival against predators thrust out of their usual environment. A new trailer released on Thursday offers a fresh look at the carnage and the diverse cast of characters caught in the middle of the unbelievable disaster.

At first, nobody takes the threat of the hurricane seriously in the trailer, opting instead to keep swimming and going about their lives until the winds and rains hit. However, an oceanic researcher, played by Djimon Hounsou, understands how dire a situation it is when reports that the storm is a Category 5 come in. When the levee finally breaks, all hell breaks loose as the town becomes cut off from all hope of rescue, and a pregnant woman (Phoebe Dynevor) finds herself stuck in her car with the water rapidly rising. A demented rendition of “Baby Shark” heralds the arrival of the fish in a way that’s tongue-in-cheek while still driving home the danger for everyone. While the scattered survivors are prepared to fight back with everything from boats to broken planks and explosives, Dynevor’s expectant mother is especially ready to ensure her child lives long enough to take his first breath.

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From Broadway to Hollywood — The Collider Movie Quiz!

Plenty of movies were based on plays. So whip out your program and find your seat because the quiz curtain is about to rise.

Who Else Is Involved in ‘Thrash’?

The Bridgerton alum Dynevor reunites with Netflix for Thrash ahead of a few high-profile roles, including in M. Night Shyamalan and Nicholas Sparks‘ team-up Remain and the upcoming adaptation of Emily Henry‘s Beach Read. In addition to Hounsou, she’s joined by Whitney Peak, Matt Nable, Andrew Lees, Alyla Browne, Stacy Clausen, and Dante Ubaldi. Wirkola was also joined by two high-profile producers, in Anchorman and The Big Short helmer Adam McKay and his Don’t Look Up production partner Kevin Messick. The Life of Chuck executive producer D. Scott Lumpkin also serves as an executive producer here.​​​​​​

Thrash premieres on Netflix on April 10. Check out the official trailer in the player above.

For an actor, winning an Oscar is perhaps the most exceptional honor that they can hope to achieve in the film industry. However, some Oscar-winning performances are undeniably better than others. Indeed, throughout history, there have been certain pieces of acting that have proved themselves worthy of the Academy’s love, and which have gone down in history as some of the greatest performances of all time.

From Hollywood’s Golden Age with its very unique brand of acting, to method acting from the modern era, the performances that can be called the best Oscar winners ever are of varying types and tones. Whether it’s a terrifying villain, a complex lead in a character study, or a nuanced antihero, these actors and actresses are able to play complicated characters like absolute pros.

10

Mo’Nique as Mary

Won Best Supporting Actress for ‘Precious’ (2009)

Image via Lionsgate

Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, is far and away one of the most harrowing and hard-to-watch coming-of-age dramas of all time. Unflinching in its darkness yet beautifully genuine in the bits of triumphant hope that it throws into the mix, it’s a remarkably effective melodrama that proves that the genre doesn’t need to be all gloom and doom without any space for flashes of joy.

Even still, make no mistake: This is a dark, dark film. A lot of that comes from the performances, particularly that of comedian Mo’Nique, cast very much against type in the role of the titular protagonist’s abusive mother. No comedian-turned-dramatic-actor performance had ever been this astonishingly transformative before, and perhaps none ever will be again. Though Mo’Nique certainly peaked with this Oscar-winning performance, it’s a jaw-dropping piece of acting nonetheless, horrifyingly gritty yet with a surprising amount of sympathy and emotional layeredness.

9

Adrien Brody as Władysław Szpilman

Won Best Actor for ‘The Pianist’ (2002)

Image via Focus Features

Despite the negative associations that come with director Roman Polanski, it’s impossible to deny that The Pianist is one of the greatest war movies ever made, anchored by one of the greatest war movie performances ever delivered. That was by Adrien Brody as real-life pianist and Holocaust survivor Władysław Szpilman, a portrayal which made Brody the youngest winner in the Best Actor Oscar category ever—a record he still holds.

It’s a well-earned record, too. The work that Brody delivers in The Pianist is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of performance. Utterly transformative both physically and spiritually, it’s a profoundly moving example of what flawless dramatic acting looks like. Painful, sympathetic, and largely—perhaps even primarily—responsible for how devastating the film is, it’s a portrayal which will go down in history as one of the best of the 2000s.

8

Jack Nicholson as R.P. McMurphy

Won Best Actor for ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975)

Image via United Artists

One of Jack Nicholson’s most essential films, the brilliant One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest holds the impressive Oscars record of being the second of only three movies that have won the Big Five Oscars (Picture, Directing, Screenplay, Actor, and Actress), the other two being It Happened One Night and The Silence of the Lambs. The Best Actor award went to Jack Nicholson, who delivered here what some might call the best performance of his illustrious career.

Everything that the extraordinary script of Cuckoo’s Nest calls for, Nicholson delivers. He’s irresistibly magnetic as the charming R.P. McMurphy; he can be incredibly funny when the scene demands it; and when a different scene calls for a much darker, more devastating tone, he’s also up for the challenge. It’s an almost unbelievably complicated performance, but it’s hardly surprising that Nicholson, one of the greatest thespians the big screen has ever seen, was able to deliver.

7

Holly Hunter as Ada McGrath

Won Best Actress for ‘The Piano’ (1993)

Image via BAC Films

Jane Campion is a legendary filmmaker with impeccable taste, and she’s also able to get some terrific performances out of her actors. Her eight feature films are full of excellent performances, but the best of the best is perhaps Holly Hunter‘s in The Piano. Haunting, evocative, erotic, and psychologically charged, it’s one of the best female-led movies of the 1990s.

Hunter’s performance in The Piano is one of the greatest of all time, let alone one of the best Oscar-winning performances. It’s an exquisitely inscrutable piece of work; silent, as her character is mute, yet full of understated power. Hugely dedicated and surrounded by an enigmatic intensity, it’s a fierce performance that fully deserved Oscar gold.

6

Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone

Won Best Actor for ‘The Godfather’ (1972)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Many would call Francis Ford Coppola‘s The Godfather the greatest film of all time, making its three Oscar wins entirely deserved. This crime epic is the peak of filmmaking in every sense imaginable, from writing to directing to visuals to, of course, performances. Though Al Pacino‘s tends to be praised as the best of the bunch, there’s one that’s even more iconic—and thus won a Best Actor Oscar: Marlon Brando‘s as the titular Godfather, Vito Corleone.

If The Godfather is one of the most timeless movies of all time (and that it certainly is), it’s largely thanks to the excellence of each and every member of its cast, but it’s undeniable that Brando steals every scene Vito is in. Idiosyncratic yet never cartoonish, layered as much as it is entertaining, it’s acting at its most hypnotizing and its most admirable. Whether Brando should have instead campaigned in the Supporting Actor category (where Pacino was mysteriously nominated) is up for debate, but what’s unarguable is that this is one of the most memorable acting performances ever.

5

Heath Ledger as The Joker

Won Best Supporting Actor for ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Ever since it came out, Christopher Nolan‘s Dark Knight Trilogy has been praised as one of the best comic book movie franchises of all time. Not coincidentally, many would refer to 2008’s The Dark Knight as the single greatest comic book film ever. It’s hard to deny that that would probably not be the case without Heath Ledger‘s legendary performance as The Joker, Batman’s mortal enemy.

This is one of the best Oscar-winning performances of the 21st century, as flawless and memorable as a supervillain performance could ever be. It’s the gold standard for acting in the genre, and it has been for nearly two decades. Ledger is simply faultless as the Clown Prince of Crime; horrifying, indecipherable, and terribly imposing, but also with just the right doses of camp and humor. It’s proof that even genres typically considered “lowbrow,” like superhero films, can also be home to legendary acting.

4

Vivien Leigh as Blanche DuBois

Won Best Actress for ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ (1951)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

When it comes to film acting, particularly the style present during the period of Classical Hollywood, people always end up referring back to A Streetcar Named Desire. With three acting Oscar wins to its name, it might just be the best-acted film in the history of Hollywood’s Golden Age, with an impeccable Vivien Leigh in the lead role.

Though it wasn’t the role that brought her fame, Leigh’s portrayal of the iconic Blanche DuBois is probably the best work of her career, and thus is usually praised as one of the best performances of the period. Transforming her elegant, beautiful star persona into a character that’s sad, broken, and washed-out, it was a remarkably bold casting choice for the era, and it paid out marvelously.

3

Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview

Won Best Actor for ‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Probably the greatest Best Actor-winning performance of the 21st century, Daniel Day-Lewis‘ portrayal of the complicated antihero/villain Daniel Plainview in Paul Thomas Anderson‘s impeccable There Will Be Blood is perhaps the actor’s best and most iconic performance. It’s a dark, gritty, intimidating piece of acting, proof that Day-Lewis’ method undeniably yields historic results.

The actor brings unbelievable depth and complexity to the flawlessly-written role of Plainview, turning him into a figure who the audience is fascinated by yet can’t quite finish deciphering. It’s one of the most Oscar-deserving performances in history, and the experience of watching DDL completely disappear into this role and create such a complex and realistic individual out of thin air is mesmerizing.

2

Meryl Streep as Sophie

Won Best Actress for ‘Sophie’s Choice’ (1982)

Image via Universal Pictures

Arguably the best female Oscar-winning performance of all time (ergo, the most deserving performance of 3-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep), Streep’s portrayal of Nazi concentration camp survivor Sophie in Sophie’s Choice needs no introduction. The story is about Sophie finding a reason to live in the form of Nathan, a sparkling American Jew obsessed with the Holocaust.

Sophie’s Choice is a haunting, phenomenally crafted Holocaust drama in its own right, but it isn’t the least bit controversial to say that the primary reason to watch it has always been Streep’s performance. It’s a piece of acting as hypnotic as it is absolutely shattering, perhaps the most perfect female acting performance of any American movie in history. This is the gold standard for Oscar-winning performances.

1

Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta

Won Best Actor for ‘Raging Bull’ (1980)

Image via United Artists

The most deserving male Oscar winner in history is Robert De Niro for his incomparable work in Martin Scorsese‘s Raging Bull. It’s not even a competition. It may just be the greatest male acting performance in film history, and one of the main reasons why many consider De Niro the greatest actor of all time. The actor’s portrayal of real-life boxer Jake La Motta is as flawless as an acting performance can be.

Raging Bull is one of the most essential De Niro movies, a gloomy and thought-provoking biopic with some of Scorsese’s best direction and some of Paul Schrader‘s best screenwriting. Highly dedicated both physically and psychologically, incredibly intense, and full of raw sincerity, it’s the peak of prime De Niro. If ever an Oscar has been fully and entirely deserved, it’s this one.

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Raging Bull

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Release Date

December 19, 1980

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Runtime

129 minutes

Writers

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Mardik Martin, Paul Schrader

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Hollywood legend Harrison Ford has built a reputation as one of the most iconic actors of his generation, but during a recent television appearance, he reminded fans that his sense of humor is just as sharp as ever. 

While promoting his latest work, Ford sat down for a lively conversation that unexpectedly veered into personal territory. 

What began as a casual interview quickly turned into a moment that had the audience roaring with laughter after the veteran star made a surprisingly candid admission.

Harrison Ford Drops Unexpected Bedroom Confession On Late Night TV

During his appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Harrison Ford found himself facing one of the more unusual questions a late-night host could ask.

Host Jimmy Kimmel decided to poke fun at the actor’s legendary filmography by asking whether any of the famous musical scores from Ford’s movies had ever made it into his personal life.

Specifically, Kimmel wondered if the star had “ever made love to the soundtrack of one of [his] films.” 

The question clearly caught Ford off guard at first, and he took a brief pause before responding. However, when he finally answered, the reaction inside the studio was immediate.

“Of course I have,” Ford said. The blunt response prompted loud laughter and applause from the audience, with Kimmel visibly amused by how casually Ford delivered the line.

Although the actor confirmed the moment happened, he left viewers guessing about which movie soundtrack might have been playing. 

Given Ford’s long career, possibilities range from the sweeping scores of “Star Wars” to the adventurous themes from “Indiana Jones.”

Ford Explains Why Choosing A Favorite Film Isn’t Possible

While the playful confession became the highlight of the interview, Harrison Ford also spoke seriously about his decades in the movie business. 

With more than 40 films to his name, Kimmel naturally asked if the 83-year-old had a single favorite project.

Ford explained that the question was harder than fans might expect. “I don’t have a favorite because I really love the making of a movie,” he explained while describing what keeps him passionate about the craft.

For the Hollywood star, the creative process behind the camera was where the real satisfaction lay. Working with directors, crew members, and fellow actors was what he remembered most fondly.

“That’s where I’m satisfied, when we’re making it,” Ford stated. He also joked that once a film reached theaters, the experience changed dramatically from the one he remembered during production.

“When you see it, it’s been all screwed up. When I did it, it was better than that,” he revealed. The line earned another burst of laughter from the audience.

Harrison Ford Honored With Major Career Achievement Award

A few days before the late-night interview, Ford was recognized for his immense contribution to cinema at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. 

The ceremony, which streamed on Netflix, honored the actor with the prestigious Life Achievement Award.

Ford’s longtime friend Woody Harrelson presented the award, praising the veteran star’s lasting influence on Hollywood.

Harrelson described Ford as an amazing actor who possesses “an indescribable energy he brings to everything he does.”

“Harrison is a true Renaissance man, an iconic actor, a distinguished pilot and a master carpenter who built his own home. I don’t know how to work the coffee machine, and it’s a French press,” Harrelson joked per Variety.

The tribute highlighted Ford’s impact on generations of moviegoers through unforgettable roles across action, drama, and science fiction.

Ford Gets Emotional While Thanking His Wife And Family

During his acceptance speech, Harrison Ford balanced heartfelt gratitude with the same humor that made his television interview so memorable. 

The “Blade Runner” star took time to acknowledge the people who supported him throughout his long career, including his wife, Calista Flockhart.

He thanked his “extraordinary, beautiful wife” and his family members, whom he said gave him “love and courage through all of it.”

As the camera cut to Flockhart in the audience, she appeared visibly emotional as she watched her husband on stage. 

Ford also joked about the unusual nature of receiving a lifetime achievement award while he still planned to continue acting.

“Well, I’m here to receive a prize for being alive,” he quipped per the Daily Mail, prompting laughter throughout the room. 

He later added another lighthearted remark about the timing of the honor, saying it felt strange to be recognized at what he jokingly called the “half point” of his career.

Harrison Ford Reflects On Finding His Place In Hollywood

Beyond the humor, Ford also spoke candidly about the path that led him into acting.

The actor admitted that early in life, he struggled to find direction, especially during his college years. 

At the time, he didn’t yet realize that storytelling would eventually define his career. That changed when he became involved with people who were passionate about theater.

He recalled discovering “the company of people putting on plays, storytellers, people I once thought were misfits and geeks turned out to be my people.”

The realization opened the door to a career that would later include classics like “Blade Runner,” “Apocalypse Now,” and “The Fugitive.” 

Looking back on the journey, Ford told the audience he considered himself fortunate to still be doing the work he loved.

“Lucky to have found my people, lucky to have work that challenges me, lucky to still be doing it,” he said. “And I don’t take that for granted.”

The Original Screenplay category at the Oscars has always been an intriguing category. It used to be a category where films that were a bit too daring and unique for the Best Picture race could get their accolades for their originality and ambition. For example, a young Christopher Nolan and Wes Anderson were able to earn their first Oscar nominations in this category, or a film like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind might not get a Best Picture nom, but it could earn Charlie Kaufman an Oscar.

This year’s nominees include everything from Iranian and Norwegian films, a Southern vampire movie, a biographical dramedy, and the story of an up-and-coming table tennis player. As the Oscars have embraced their strange side in recent years, the Original Screenplay category remains as diverse as it always has been. With that in mind, here is our ranking of the five nominees in the Original Screenplay category at this year’s Oscars.

5

‘Blue Moon’ – Written by Robert Kaplow

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

In his first screenplay for Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, writer Robert Kaplow has to walk a precarious fine line. In crafting this story of Lorenz Hart, on what might be the most difficult night of his life, he has to focus on a character that is overly verbose, pretentious, and ultimately tragic, but also ensure that he never becomes too overwhelming or exhausting, which he is to several characters within this film. For the most part, he’s able to handle this balance, but it’s not always entirely effective, as Hart can become far too much here and there in this film.

This screenplay also shows just how much Ethan Hawke’s performance as Hart brings to this story, as we can see the heartbreak, exhaustion, and loneliness on his face. Hawke is subtly showing us the interiority of Hart, even as he waxes poetic about song lyrics and name-dropping. On the page, you don’t quite get that, even though the woe is always there. For a first screenplay, Kaplow’s work here is impressive, but it’s still the weakest screenplay of the nominees this year.

4

‘It Was Just an Accident’ – Written by Jafar Panahi. Script collaborators – Nader Saïvar, Shadmehr Rastin, Mehdi Mahmoudian

Image via Neon

It Was Just an Accident marks Jafar Panahi’s first narrative feature in quite some time, and it’s been a bit since a Panahi film hasn’t been a docufiction starring Panahi himself. Yet It Was Just an Accident proves that Panahi has only gotten better as a screenwriter with his latest, which he has stated is in honor of the Iranian political prisoners that he became friends with during his time of imprisonment. Through It Was Just an Accident, Panahi asks questions about revenge, how societies are supposed to move forward after particularly dark times, and the lengths people will go to when pushed to the brink. But maybe most impressive is how Panahi does this in a film that’s also surprisingly funny in its own dark way.

More than any other nominee on this list — and quite frankly, most of the nominees that have ever been in this category — It Was Just an Accident is a film that feels like it could’ve only been written by Panahi. The filmmaker has always excelled at presenting Iranian culture, and considering his time in the prison system for making his great films, it’s hard to imagine anyone having as much empathy, passion, and humor about this situation as Panahi does. It’s absurd, but also based on horrifying circumstances that have very real consequences, and Panahi handles all of that beautifully. If anything, It Was Just an Accident deserved far more than just two nominations at this year’s Oscars.

3

‘Sinners’ – Written by Ryan Coogler

As a piece of writing, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners screenplay is most brilliant in how it constantly shifts and changes in ways that are both surprising and yet make total sense. What begins as a story of two twin brothers trying to open a juke joint is captivating enough as it is, but then it morphs into a fantastic vampire story, all of which delves into discussions of music, history, and race seamlessly. It’s the kind of writing that Coogler has done so well since he started as a filmmaker, writing that entertains, but manages to hit on a deeper, more meaningful level, without ever sacrificing the fun of it all.

As one might expect, however, even though Sinners’ script is great, Coogler’s story just doesn’t have the same magic on the page. For example, the bravura “I Lied to You” segment was clearly put together more cohesively in the editing room, capturing several scenes from throughout the film, and it’s much easier to appreciate the beauty of this vampire tale with Coogler’s direction and Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s stunning cinematography. Yet, Coogler’s screenplay is easily his best so far, and it’s a testament to his greatness in how much beauty and how many layers he can bring to a type of story we’ve seen countless times.

2

‘Marty Supreme’ – Written by Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie

Image via A24

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Having worked together on films like Heaven Knows What, Good Time, and Uncut Gems, Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie know how to write a propulsive script that hits the gas and rarely lets go. That’s absolutely what they do on their latest collaboration, Marty Supreme, as we follow Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), an ambitious yet frustrating table tennis player trying to get enough money to compete in a massive tournament. Marty doesn’t know how he’ll make this money, and Bronstein and Safdie ensure we feel every bump and twist on Marty’s journey.

Marty Supreme’s screenplay is a dense 168 pages, but like the film itself, this script flies by, whipping us around New York City, as though we’re trying to keep up with Marty. Even an action script can fail to make you feel its excitement, but Bronstein and Safdie have no problem keeping readers on the edge of their seats. That’s especially true near the end, when Marty has his big culminating table tennis match, which reads like a great sports story unfolding. At this point, Bronstein and Safdie know how to write this type of screenplay that doesn’t let up, and Marty Supreme is a great example of how fantastic these two are when they work together.

1

‘Sentimental Value’ – Written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier

Image via Neon

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With Sentimental Value, writers Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier aren’t just telling the story of a filmmaker Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård) and his two daughters, Nora and Agnes (Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lileaas), as he tries to make a film about his life. It’s also very much the story of a house and its century of existence, the people who have lived in it, and how this place has become a home to so many. In Trier’s film, it is all intertwined beautifully, and in reading the screenplay, this approach becomes more pronounced, almost like a better version of Robert Zemeckis’ Here.

On the page, Sentimental Value is also a great example of how a film can change in small but integral ways. Trier and Vogt’s script has several moments that don’t exist in the final film, and it makes a big difference. For example, early on in the film, we originally follow Nora after the night of her big freak-out before she went on stage, and she finds out that her mother had died that same night, which seems like a strange, unnecessary coincidence. Or there’s a strange moment where Agnes’ son makes an AI-generated short film influenced by his grandfather’s films. It’s fascinating to see how this story existed in this script and how Trier was able to improve upon it as it came to the screen.

Sentimental Value is the most complex script in this list of nominees, an amalgamation of a filmmaker exploring his own life through his film, his daughters, the actress (Elle Fanning) who wants to do justice to this story, the previous films that he’s made, how these films present what he’s feeling, as well as the story of a home. It’s a lot to handle, but Vogt and Trier’s screenplay handled it tremendously well, giving us a fuller picture of the Borg family, rather than feeling overstuffed with unnecessary details and tangents. Vogt and Trier want us to understand how past generations can impact current ones and how the past bleeds into the present in ways we might not even feel. Sentimental Value is a script that’s trying to juggle quite a bit, but it’s the best screenplay in this category because Vogt and Trier know how to present it all in a captivating and impactful way.

Love Is Blind star Devonta Anderson had some big news to share at the season 10 reunion.

“I wanted to go into this to be a husband and a father, those were two of the most important things for me,” Devonta, 32, said during the reunion, which dropped Wednesday, March 11, on Netflix. “I got some exciting news that I am gonna be a father this year.”

Devonta further confirmed that he is engaged to his new partner, who does not live with him in Arizona. (Devonta lives in a house with Love Is Blind costar Alex Henderson.)

Devonta proposed to Brittany Wicker sight unseen during Love Is Blind season 10, which was set in Ohio. He notably struggled with his attraction to Brittany, 33, once they met in person. The couple ultimately called off their wedding days before their would-be ceremony.

“The more I’m clinged onto or the more I’m pressured, the harder I push back,” Devonta said in a confessional during the finale, which aired earlier this month. “She is sometimes like a shadow to me and sometimes I’m, like, ‘Just wait out there, I’ll be right back. I’m just going to change my shirt.’ It’s something I don’t want to keep dragging down the road if it’s not going to work out.”

According to Devonta, he had “self-doubt” about whether he could love Brittany in a way that she wanted from her husband.

Brittany was admittedly shocked by Devonta’s decision to end their engagement, but she still had hopes that they could date after Love Is Blind wrapped.

“I feel like we’re still together, and we’re just taking a slight pause on when we actually get married,” Brittany told Devonta on the show. “I think when it comes to you feeling more comfortable with a prenup. For me, say we would have got married today, I was willing to make adjustments to what I believe.”

She continued, “We’re still gonna be together. We’re still engaged. I do see [us] 100 percent marrying each other.”

While it appeared that Brittany was blindsided by Devonta’s decision, she actually could sense his wavering throughout their relationship.

“I think that [Devonta] was processing so much emotionally with the loss of his grandfather,” Brittany exclusively told Us Weekly last month, referring to Devonta questioning his pod participation after his grandpa died during production. “It would be, like, sometimes he was so in [and] ready to build this life together, and we were on the same page.”

While Brittany felt that she and Devonta were “very much in alignment” on their future, she did occasionally see pockets of doubt creep in.

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“There would be days where he would just wake up and he was feeling the weight of the world and everything that was happening,” she recalled to Us. “I would feel that in return.”

Brittany also got to confront Devonta during Wednesday’s reunion, revealing that his “shadow” comments were “highly offensive.”

“He said that I was a ‘shadow,’ which I found very offensive because I gave him so much space, so much so, that I felt my love language was not being fulfilled,” she stated on Wednesday’s special. “[His comments were] highly confusing to me. … I feel like as soon as he walked out of my doors, he was done with the relationship and he just didn’t want to say that to me. He still dragged it out for weeks.”

When asked about Devonta’s baby news, Brittany added that she wasn’t “fazed by” the news and is currently single herself.

Love Is Blind season 10 is now streaming on Netflix.