Standing in front of a room full of journalists, best actress Oscar winner Brie Larson was asked what she thought of reporters, prompting her to urge the assembled scribes to remember that actors are human.
Recalling a scene in “Room” in which Larson’s character was confronted by the media, Larson said the scene was “an important thing to me because boundaries are hard to create for yourself.”
The advice Larson offered backstage at the Dolby Theatre Sunday night was “from the journalist’s point of view, always remembering that we are human beings. We are sensitive, loving human beings who are worrying that we are not lovable.”
The actress suggested interviewing to get to the “soul of someone” rather than listening to an earpiece with “your boss telling you that you have to ask something 30 times.”
She suggested that actors might offer more insights and fewer rehearsed responses if treated fairly.
“I think if we can back to the humanity of this … we going to get real truth and not performances for TV.”
The actress said the past year has brought clarity into her life.
“This time a year ago, I was still trying to figure out who I was … still trying to pull apart the pieces of what I’d learned being Ma,” the character she played in “Room” — a mother who was held captive for years in a small room with her son.
“I’m standing here now completely myself,” Larson said while clutching her Oscar, adding that she was “feeling really strong holding this gold guy.”
Asked what song best expressed her feelings tonight, the actress immediately answered, “I’m In Love With My Life” by Phases.
“It took me 20 years to be standing here on this stage but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Larson said. “Grateful for the hardships.”
She talked about having to stand up her herself and build her confidence in the business.
“There were many times when I would go into auditions” and be told my work was good, but asked to “come back in a jean mini skirt and high heels.
“There’s no reason for me to show up in a jean mini skirt and high heels other than that you want to create a fantasy,” Larson said.
That outfit wasn’t something that would make her feel sexy, Larson said.
“I personally always rejected that moment, I tried maybe once” and was “incredibly uncomfortable.”
What makes her feel sexy is to portray “women that I know … complicated women … women that are inside of me.”
She praised co-star Jacob Tremblay, who played her son in “Room.”
“There’s so much wisdom in a child and there’s so much ease to who he is,” the actress said.
She said the role helped her break free of her own personal boundaries.
“I hope that this is a story that honestly changes people and allows them to be free,” she said.
But, “I don’t necessarily think an Oscar win changes anything for those women” held against their will, Larson said.
