Winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Da’Vine Joy Randolph wanted to thank her publicist.
“I have to give a special shoutout to my publicist, and I know you all said, ‘Don’t say nothing about no publicist,’” the actress began onstage, referencing some cheeky pre-show instructions. “But you don’t have a publicist like I have a publicist.”
“The Holdovers” star continued, “You have been by my side through the entire thing, and I am forever grateful.”
Wait, who is “you”? Host Jimmy Kimmel had the same question and doubled-backed to Randolph shortly after her win was announced, quipping after a brief break, “You forgot to mention your publicist’s name. I think your publicist needs a publicist is what it is.”
Without a mic, Randolph then desperately attempted to mouth the name Marla Farrell from her seat.
The co-founder of Shelter PR, Farrell is the quick-thinking blonde bob who has followed — and cleared the way for — Randolph all awards season. Her other clients at Shelter include Jodie Comer, Marisa Tomei, Amanda Seyfried, Zazie Beetz, Emma Roberts, and Hilary Swank.
“I’m so grateful to all the women who have been by my side,” Randolph said during her speech, before shouting out her fellow nominees, her mother, a former teacher, and more. “I thank all the people who have stepped in my path and have been there for me, who have ushered me and guided me. I am so grateful to all of you beautiful people out there. For so long I’ve always wanted to be different, and now I realize I just need to be myself. I thank you for seeing me.”
Later, back in the winners’ room, the first-time nominee and winner spoke about the pace of this awards season. Randolph wondered if it would be a “dog-eat-dog thing” of people vying for the Oscar, but said she was moved by the “camaraderie.”
“What’s so beautiful is having this relationship with people who are going through the same thing with you,” she said backstage — with Fuller visible nearby. “I think you’d be selling yourself short if you’re thinking about the awards.”
