Actress Amanda Seyfried believes award nominations hold greater significance than actual wins for an actor's career trajectory. In a candid interview, she expressed that long-term success in the film industry stems from deliberate artistic choices rather than accumulating honors.
The Oscar Perspective
When questioned about the importance of winning an Academy Award, Seyfried responded with a clear perspective. "No," she stated firmly. "Do you remember who won in the past 10 years? It's not the win that's important. It's the nomination. It does thrust you forward. That's a fact."
The actress acknowledged that receiving an Oscar would be wonderful, but emphasized it isn't necessary for her professional fulfillment. "Now, do I need one in a week or two or whenever? No, of course, I don't. Would it be great? Of course it would, for every reason. But it isn't necessary," she explained.
Career Longevity Through Smart Choices
Seyfried earned her first Oscar nomination in 2021 for portraying Hollywood starlet Marion Davies in the biopic Mank. This experience reinforced her belief that sustained success comes from thoughtful decision-making rather than awards recognition.
"Longevity in an actor's career is designed," Seyfried asserted. "Longevity is about deliberate choices to make art among the big commercial things that are fun and pay. But, for me, all of it is art."
Balancing Art and Commerce
The actress pointed to her recent film The Housemaid as an example of this philosophy in action. "Yes, The Housemaid is a thriller that didn't cost a lot to make, and made a lot of money, and is a box-office hit. And yet every single choice I made in that movie was as artful as the choices I made in Ann Lee," she said.
This realization has shaped her approach to future projects. "I finally was able to marry the two in my heart and in my head, and I realised that is what I want for the rest of my career. I'm going to jump between genres as much as I can, and jump between indies and studios. So I've gotten this far without an Oscar. Why would I need one now?"
Navigating Career Ups and Downs
Seyfried understands that professional success involves natural fluctuations. She feels established in her career while recognizing its variable nature.
"I feel I'm already proven. I'm getting people to trust me to do hard things," she noted. "We all have ebbs and flows in our careers, and how we're perceived can change from day to day, but I'm consistent in my choices, and I'm consistent in my values and my needs."
The Financial Reality
The actress acknowledged the financial aspects of filmmaking, using her own experiences as examples. "I'm also sitting pretty right now, because The Housemaid made money. That's not always the case. Sometimes you're in Mamma Mia! Sometimes, you do something like Ted 2, or A Million Ways to Die in the West, which were both supposed to do big box office, and underperformed."
Seyfried's perspective highlights a balanced approach to Hollywood success, prioritizing artistic integrity and career sustainability over award recognition alone.
