At the 98th Oscars® Nominees Luncheon, Delroy Lindo had the best excuse for turning down an interview.
As A-list actors and celebrated filmmakers surrounded the Sinners star, he warmly welcomed every hug, handshake, and congratulation for his first nomination. In a split-second break in the Delroy Love Train, this reporter asked for a question on the record, a customary request at this annual affair. Slowly shaking his head no, Lindo broadened his playful grimace into an apologetic smile and said, “I just want to enjoy this.”
That sentiment, relishing in the overwhelming joy of being recognized for your craft, came to a fever pitch within the Beverly Hilton ballroom in Los Angeles. Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler, Raphael Saadiq — a Sinners trifecta — embraced seemingly everyone who asked for a hug (and that was nearly everybody in the room). Of the bold-faced names in attendance, 11 were first-timers, including Wunmi Mosaku and Teyana Taylor, and their glee was infectious. This year marked a record number of nominations held by women as well, including director Christalyn Hampton (The Devil is Busy) and Sinners‘ hairstylist Shumika Terry
Documentary producers Nikon Kwantu and Alisa Payne of Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor made their rounds, proudly advocating for their work honoring the life of Ajike “AJ” Owens. Ruth E. Carter glided through the room as if it were her first nomination (it’s her fifth).
Academy Board of Governors’ Lou Diamond Phillips upped the ante on the spirited energy when he pointed out that of the 317 feature films eligible for Academy Awards, only 37 made it to the final nominees. “You are all already winners,” he said before reading off the individual names to come on stage for the nominee class photo. While everyone’s name was applauded, there was an undeniable uproar when anyone from the Sinners team was called.
Image: Al Seib / The Academy
When asked about the love towards the film that garnered the most nominations in the Academy’s history (14 in total), Sinners costar Miles Caton offered this: “I don’t think any of us predicted all of this. We all felt how special the film was. And every day, people just came with 100 percent.”
Sinners’ nominated producer Zinzi Coogler couldn’t agree more. “To have made something that connected with audiences, I’m floating, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
For Michael B. Jordan, the connection to Sinners is a bit more personal. “My mom’s side of the family is from Hope, Arkansas; my dad’s side of the family is from Shreveport, Louisiana — the descendants of sharecroppers. I had such a strong relationship with my grandmother growing up, but I realized when I was making [Sinners], I was making a movie about her life growing up,” said Jordan.
“My grandmother was 25 and 30 at one point, having a good time, dancing, enjoying, or trying to find some freedom at a time when we weren’t allowed to have that, you know? So, Sinners just became like a real love letter to my family and our lineage and our history through the South and to today.”
The 98th Academy Awards will be presented live on Sunday, March 15, on ABC.