Chase Infiniti is becoming a pro at the awards season marathon. The breakout actress received another spotlight moment this week at the National Board of Review Awards Gala.
Just days after the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, she shined at the annual New York event, accepting the Breakthrough Performance honor for her debut film role as the courageous young Willa in One Battle After Another.
“If you had told me three years ago that I’d be a lead actress of a Paul Thomas Anderson film, I would have thought you were crazy. And to be standing here tonight, to be accepting this award for my first film ever, it’s as surreal as it gets,” Infiniti said during her acceptance speech at the awards ceremony, which brought out some of the best in film for an evening of accolades, reflection, and post-Globes mingling at Manhattan’s Cipriani 42nd Street.
“I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am, and I don’t take this moment lightly.”
Midway through her words, the 25-year-old stopped and gasped, admitting to the gala audience that she was simply trying to take it all in.
“I’m trying to catch my breath. This is crazy,” she said.
After One Battle After Another secured four wins at the Globes — including a monumental Supporting Actress win for Teyana Taylor — it came as no surprise that the action comedy film was once again the center of attention at the annual NBR Gala. Infiniti accepted her honor in the company of her fellow co-stars: the Thomas Anderson film took home awards for Best Director and Best Film, and Supporting and Lead Actor for fellow stars Benicio Del Toro and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Following in “Mother’s” Path
Infiniti was grateful for everyone involved in One Battle, but the Presumed Innocent TV series actress took a moment to reflect on Taylor’s impact. She is following in the footsteps of her now-close co-star, literally: Taylor won the Breakthrough Performance award for her groundbreaking role in A Thousand and One in 2024.
“Thinking about that makes me tear up,” Infiniti told EBONY on the red carpet shortly before receiving her award. “I love Teyana so much, and also seeing her just two days ago win the Golden Globe for her performance, I feel so lucky to be living in the same timeline as Teyana Taylor.”
She continued, “I also think it’s very heartwarming that we’re kind of along the same journey together.”
Finding Her Fashion Voice
Infiniti has learned a lot navigating her first awards season; one of her favorite things has been exploring her passion for fashion.
“I feel so lucky to have been working with Wayman and Micah as my stylist,” said the actress, who accepted her NBR Gala honor in a pearl-embellished crochet midi dress by Oscar de la Renta. “They really have a grasp on what I like and what kind of vibe I want to give, and also trust their guidance so much.”
New Friends and Favorites
The BAFTA Rising Star and NAACP Image nominee has enjoyed meeting new people within the industry and has even made some new friends along the way.
“Getting to meet the people that I’m a fan of, that’s been a major highlight for me, and creating friendships throughout this process,” she said before naming Sinners star Miles Caton as someone she has become close with during the time. “He’s somebody that I feel like we’ve been on this run a lot together, which I feel very grateful for. He’s a very special person.”
Asked about the film and TV work from others that she favored this year, the star giggled when mentioning her current TV obsession: Heated Rivalry. But when it comes to favorite movies (apart from her own), you can catch her in a theater rewatching Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster hit.
“Sinners…I will never stop talking about that movie. I will see it every time they re-release it if I possibly can,” she said.
The Industry Co-Signs
Infiniti, who is the new star of the Handmaid’s Tale spinoff The Testaments, received her Breakthrough Performance award from her series co-star Ann Dowd. The veteran actress called the young star “authentic” and “always prepared.” DiCaprio gave a sweet shoutout to his “incredibly talented” on-screen daughter during his acceptance speech, telling her, “You have so much in front of you. The world is your oyster.”
Infiniti gave the love right back toward the end of her acceptance speech, thanking the entire One Battle cast, crew, and Warner Brothers for “taking a chance on a complete unknown.” And there was a special tribute to its director, Thomas Anderson.
“To Paul, my bestie, thank you for being an incredible mentor. So generous with your knowledge and someone I deeply, deeply grateful to call my friend,” she said to the director.
After receiving her award, the actress posed for photos with Dowd and the Sinners cast, including Michael B. Jordan and Coogler, who was honored with the night’s Best Screenplay award.
Making her way back to her seat, the actress was continuously stopped by guests for selfies, handshakes, and congratulatory embraces. It was clear, in that moment, that Infiniti is an “unknown” no longer.