Amanda Seyfried Says She Doesn't Need an Oscar to Succeed
The actress reveals why Academy Award recognition isn't crucial for her career longevity, despite recent Golden Globe nomination buzz and box office success with The Housemaid.
Amanda Seyfried has made it clear she's not losing sleep over Oscar gold. The actress recently told The New Yorker she's "already gotten so far without an Oscar" and questioned "why would I need one now?"
Her comments come after a stellar year that saw The Housemaid rake in serious cash at theaters while her performance in The Testament of Ann Lee landed her a Golden Globe nod. Industry watchers are already speculating about potential Best Actress Oscar buzz. She previously scored a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Mank in 2021.
Nominations Matter More Than Wins
Seyfried believes the nomination itself carries more weight than actually taking home the statue. "Do you remember who won in the past ten years? It's not the win that's important. It's the nomination," she explained. For reference, Brie Larson claimed Best Actress for Room a decade ago.
The actress sees awards as helpful but not essential for career longevity. "It does thrust you forward. That's a fact. Now, do I need one in a week or two or whenever? No, of course, I don't. Would it be great? Of course it would, for every reason. But it isn't necessary. Longevity in an actor's career is designed. Longevity is about deliberate choices to make art among the big commercial things that are fun and pay."
Mixed Oscar Experiences in Hollywood
Her perspective contrasts sharply with other actresses' experiences. Melissa Leo recently claimed her Best Supporting Actress win for The Fighter "has not been good for me or my career. I didn't dream of it, I never wanted it, and I had a much better career before I won."
The post-Oscar path varies wildly. While some winners like last year's Mikey Madison find themselves flooded with offers, others face unexpected challenges. Lupita Nyong'o discovered that her 2013 Best Supporting Actress win for 12 Years a Slave initially led to more slavery-themed scripts rather than major leading roles.
Proof Beyond Awards
Seyfried's filmography demonstrates success without Academy recognition. Mean Girls, Jennifer's Body, and Mamma Mia! never earned Oscar nods but became cultural touchstones with devoted fanbases. She's honest about career missteps too, including passing on the Gamora role in Guardians of the Galaxy and appearing in box office disappointments.
"We all have ebbs and flows in our careers, and how we're perceived can change from day to day, but I'm consistent in my choices and I'm consistent in my values and my needs. I'm also sitting pretty right now, because 'The Housemaid' made money. That's not always the case. Sometimes you're in 'Mamma Mia!' Sometimes, you do something like 'Ted 2,' or 'A Million Ways to Die in the West,' which were both supposed to do big box-office, and underperformed."
The Housemaid's financial performance backs up her confidence. The thriller co-starring Sydney Sweeney pulled in $108 mn domestically and $245 mn worldwide against a $35 mn budget. Next up, she'll appear in The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd alongside Scoot McNairy and William Jackson Harper.