Sandra Bullock Oscar Acceptance Speech

Best Actress Oscar winner Sandra Bullock (Rick Salyer | © A.M.P.A.S.)

Best Actress Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech

“Did I really earn this or did I just wear you all down? I would like to thank the Academy for allowing me in the last month to have the most incredible ride with rooms full of artists that I see tonight and that I’ve worked with before and I hope to work with in the future, who inspire me and blaze trails for us. Four of them that I’ve fallen deeply in love with I share this night with and I share this award with.

“Gabby [Sidibe], I love you so much. You are exquisite. You are beyond words to me. Carey [Mulligan], your grace and your elegance and your beauty and your talent makes me sick. Helen [Mirren], I feel like we are family through family and I don’t have the words to express just what I think of you. And Meryl [Streep], you know what I think of you and you are such a good kisser.

“I have so many people to thank for my good fortune in this lifetime and this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I know. To the family that allowed me to play them, the Tuohy family, I know they’re in here and you’ll probably hear her in a minute. Maybe not. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to… the family that made this film that gave me the opportunity to do something different. John Lee Hancock, Gil Netter, Alcon, Warner Bros., the actors, everyone who’s shown me kindness when it wasn’t fashionable, I thank you. To everyone who was mean to me when it wasn’t… George Clooney threw me in a pool years ago. I’m still holding a grudge. But there’s so many people to thank.

“Not enough time, so I would like to thank what this film is about for me which are the moms that take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from. Those moms and parents never get thanked. I, in particular, failed to thank one. So… if I can take this moment to thank Helga B. for not letting me ride in cars with boys until I was 18 because she was right. I would’ve done what she said I was gonna do. For making me practice every day when I got home. Piano, ballet, whatever it is I wanted to be. She said to be an artist, you had to practice every day, and for reminding her daughters that there’s no race, no religion, no class system, no color, nothing, no sexual orientation that makes us better than anyone else. We are all deserving of love. So, to that trailblazer, who allowed me to have that. And this. And this. I thank you so much for this opportunity that I share with these extraordinary women and my lover Meryl Streep. Thank you.”

Photos: Matt Petit / © A.M.P.A.S.

Sandra Bullock’s separation from reality show personality Jesse James, her husband of nearly five years, has become major news because the actress has just won a Best Actress Academy Award. Just yesterday, she canceled her appearance at the London premiere of The Blinde Side due to “unforeseen personal reasons.”

“I leave you alone at the table and you come back with Morgan Freeman’s e-mail,” Bullock told James during her SAG Awards acceptance speech. “I don’t know how you do it … I love you so much! And you’re so hot!” This was in late January. At the Oscars on March 7, Bullock thanked her mother, mothers in general, her “lover” Meryl Streep, and expressed her admiration for her fellow Best Actress nominees. James wasn’t mentioned in her acceptance speech. [Correction: As pointed out by a commenter, James was referred to as “that” in Bullock’s acceptance speech, when the actress pointed at him sitting in the audience while thanking her mother for helping her achieve certain things in life.]

So, now there’s talk of the “Oscar curse,” especially considering that the marriage of last year’s Best Actress has also crumbled. A few days ago, it was announced that Kate Winslet and husband Sam Mendes, who also has his own Oscar, have split up.

But is there such a thing, especially for Best Actress winners?

For the most part, that’s nonsense. In Bullock’s case, in particular, it’s total nonsense. After all, James’ alleged infidelity with model Michelle “Bombshell” McGee took place while Bullock’s movie-star career was at a more precarious stage. She was then was making The Blind Side, a relatively low-budget studio production that no one foresaw would become a sleeper blockbuster in the United States and earn the actress a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, and an Oscar. (Bullock’s Razzie was for All About Steve.)

“It’s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way,” James said in a statement to People magazine. “This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them. I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

He added that “the vast majority of the allegations reported are untrue and unfounded” and that “I will not dignify these private matters with any further public comment.”

Sandra Bullock, Jesse James (Todd Wawrychuk / © A.M.P.A.S.)

Sandra Bullock’s chat with entertainment reporters can be seen below following her Academy Award win on March 7. Bullock discussed the unexpected success of The Blind Side, her “surprising” Oscar win, and Meryl Streep’s fun-loving character, but refused to give details about George Clooney being mean to her or to tell a questioner what husband Jesse James whispered in her ear when she was named the year’s Best Actress.

Below is a condensed version of the transcript provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Q. I was wondering if you had any advice for students out there, acting students or just people who want to be in the entertainment industry who want to be in your shoes tonight?

A. Well, don’t aspire to be in these shoes. You know, walk in your own. I mean everyone’s really good at telling everyone else how to live your life or how to be or how to do it. Just don’t listen. My mother beat it into our heads to be original, and I didn’t understand that until later on and just everyone’s unique and that’s what makes people exciting to watch, I think, so just savour what you are and not what everyone else wants you to be.

Q. What does this mean to you and did you sort of think you were the favorite?

A. Are you joking? No. It’s as I said up on that stage, you know, I questioned did I win it or did I just wear everyone down? It’s if you hang in there the longest, it’s, you know you know, I didn’t aspire to this. I was in awe of it. I admired it. I got to watch it like everyone else did or present, but it wasn’t something that I said, One day when I get the Oscar.

I didn’t think it was something that was the opportunity would ever present itself for me to rise to that occasion. And I was okay with that and I was very happy working and this came out of left field, every pun intended. Sorry. I think everything’s going to be a metaphor tonight and I apologize. This is the film I said “no” to. If I thought this was going to be my, you know, golden ticket. It just was such odd circumstances and things came together in a way that I just didn’t see coming. No one saw coming. And I think that’s what makes it so overwhelming and unexpected. I look at the company I keep in this category and you can’t pick. There’s not one that rises above the others, and I love these women that I got to spend this time with so much for who they are. So I feel like I share it equally in five parts because we ladies need to stick together.

Q. And then this picture as well there’s a tie in there. I just want you to talk a little bit about what draws you to these projects that are youth oriented that are to do with […]

A. It’s not that I consciously draw I’m drawn to them. You know, we’re presented with the opportunities we’re presented with in this business, and you’re able to make some of your own opportunities. I didn’t it’s not conscious, but I think it makes a great inspirational story when you can see it work, when you see what someone can rise to the occasion and do. And you know, I’ve seen it happen day after day in New Orleans and that’s why I love that town so much, and it’s the people and the perseverance and the love of each other that makes that work. And I think that’s what works so well in stories like that. I love stories about passion and love. Love of country, love of people. Love of sport. It’s just it makes a good film. But I don’t think I’ve ever consciously been drawn to it. I just I just end up, I guess, maybe loving it the most.

Q. So why is it you can do, for instance, a really hot love scene naked with someone like Ryan Reynolds, yet all the headlines are about kissing Meryl Streep?

A. Well, first of all, if you saw me in the scene with Ryan, no one noticed me because Ryan was in the scene naked as well.

Q. You were naked in it, too.

A. I know. I looked fine but Ryan, who is my friend, is a freak of nature and it’s disgusting the way he looks and all I see is him, naked. When I see him naked on the film. You know, but I think because no one expects Meryl to, you know, roll with the flow like that, I think no one realizes how much fun Meryl Streep is. I mean, she I’m not going to tell you half of what she’d do or what she’s done. But she just is everything that Stanley Tucci said is right and then some. I don’t think anyone expects her to do it. That’s why it makes the headline. She’s an awesome broad, and I think she’s an extraordinary actor but she’s also a really free, fun human being, so I think it’s because it was Meryl. I kissed Meryl. No one’s ever taken the bull by the horns like that before, but I did.

Q. I just would love to hear the story about Clooney throwing you in a pool.

A. Yeah. See I could have taken that moment and gotten him back. There was also Tom Cruise involved in that as well, and I told them one day, in a very public forum, I would get them back, but George looked so tired tonight. I saw his little eyes and said, I can’t do it to him tonight. Yeah. It was you might want to ask George about that. See how much information he’ll give because it was funny to everyone else but me. It was actually really funny, but not at the time. Ask George. It’s George Clooney. It’s what George does well.

Q. I’ve already seen [All About Steve]; I have to be honest. You have both an Oscar and a Razzie. How much are you enjoying the irony of that situation and what are you going to do with both awards?

A. They’re going to sit side by side, as they should. You know they’re both we’re in the entertainment business. That’s what we’re supposed to do. You know, it’s you take the good with the not so good. But I had the best time at the Razzies last night. It is what it is and, you know, it probably means more that both of them happened at the same time because it’s the great equalizer. You know, nothing ever let’s me get too full of myself. It quickly chops me off at the knees, and I like it that way because it just it keeps things stable and they’ll sit side by side in a nice little shelf somewhere, the Razzie maybe on a different shelf, lower.

Q. This might be a bit of a personal question, but you and your husband your husband whispered something in your ear after you your name was called and […]

A. You expect me to tell you that? I know, bless your heart for trying. I mean you got to ask.

Q. Well, the follow up is, what’s it like for him, to be able to make a tough guy like that cry on national television. He was tearing up right in front of […]

A. Did he cry? He doesn’t cry. He doesn’t cry. No.

Q. He […]

A. He’s right there. Don’t piss him off. He had something in his eye. It’s very dusty from the dance music. I’d never divulge what Jesse says unless he divulges it first. It’s between me and the man. This is like an auction. I feel like a baby grand.

Q. Hi. Now that you’ve won the Oscar will you think twice about doing a more commercial fun film versus a […]

A. No.

Q. serious critically acclaimed film?

A. I want to do everything. I’ve always been one of those people that I don’t like when people tell me I can’t do something. Just because, you know, I did commercial films doesn’t mean I couldn’t do wonderful small art house films. Just because I won an Oscar, I don’t want to ever stop doing something that makes people laugh. I love making people laugh. I don’t know what I’m going to do next. I sort of wanted this to sort of all die down, but I’m going make mistakes and I’m going to make everyone roll their eyes and I’m going to maybe do something that works, but I just want to keep working in every genre that I’m allowed to until I’m asked to not do it anymore.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock and engraved Oscar statuette at Governors Ball.

Sandra Bullock and engraved Oscar statuette

Pictured above is Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock and guest during the Oscar-engraving ceremony at the Governors Ball. It’s now Bullock’s turn to have her Best Actress statuette engraved.

Sandra Bullock photo: Darren Decker / © A.M.P.A.S.

Sandra Bullock Photos: © A.M.P.A.S.

Best Actress Sandra Bullock backstage with Forest Whitaker during the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 7, 2010. Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar for the drama The Blind Side. The day before, she won a Razzie Award for All About Steve. Forest Whitaker won a Best Actor Oscar in 2007 for The Last King of Scotland.

Photo: Todd Wawrychuk / © A.M.P.A.S.

Sandra Bullock at the Governors Ball

Photos: Richard Harbaugh / © A.M.P.A.S.