Earlier in March, the Everything Everywhere All at Once star appeared on the Today show to talk about her big win and what life has been like as the proud new owner of a coveted Academy Award, including how she plans to refer to her statue.
“The longing for attention and appreciation for your work is universal,” Curtis said. “Whatever job you do, you hope someone appreciates you. And this is a really lovely, shiny gesture of appreciation.”
The 64-year-old actor took home her first Academy Award for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
“My mother and my father were both nominated for Oscars in different categories,” Curtis said. “I just won an Oscar!”
During an emotional acceptance speech she thanked her family and those who have supported her “genre movies” since she began her career in 1977.
On March 14, Curtis appeared virtually on the Today show where she told Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb that she’s still in disbelief.
“I never thought in a million years that I would have this couple days, and I’m very moved by the whole thing.”
When asked if she thought of a name for her statue, Curtis shared the sweet reason why she chose not to name the statuette.
In honor of her 26-year-old daughter Ruby – in 2021 Curtis revealed her youngest child was transgender – she would be referring to her Oscar statuette as they/them.
“They’re settling in.”
Heartbreaking confession
Jamie Lee has said that it is a steep learning curve that comes with a child coming out as trans.
“It’s speaking a new language,” she said. “It’s learning new terminology and words. I am new at it. I am not someone who is pretending to know much about it. And I’m going to blow it.
“You still mess up, I’ve messed up today twice. We’re human.
“But if one person reads this, sees a picture of Ruby and me and says, ‘I feel free to say this is who I am,’ then it’s worth it.”
Despite coming from a Hollywood dynasty, Ruby has remained out of the spotlight throughout her life and now works as a video editor for a gaming personality on YouTube.
“I knew Ruby had had a boyfriend. I knew that Ruby had used the word bi. But gender identity and sexual orientation — those are two separate things,” the two-time Golden Globe winner said.
Aww, Jamie! We’re so glad you finally won. It was a long time coming and so, so well-deserved.