What happened at the 2018 Oscars
At the 90th Academy Awards in 2018, Emma Stone won Best Actress in a Leading Role for La La Land. In a rare ceremony tie, she and co-winner Warren Beatty each received one of the two Best Actress statuettes printed for that night, after an initial misannounceunciation had handed the award to Beatty and then to La La Land. Stone reflected on balancing vulnerability and precision in her performance as Mia Dolan, a struggling actress pursuing dance and dreams in Los Angeles.
Key Oscar details at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | 90th Academy Awards (2018) | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |
| Film | La La Land | Production credits and official listings |
| Award | Best Actress in a Leading Role | AMPAS official records |
| Outcome | Shared win with Warren Beatty; one physical statue retained by each | AMPAS post-ceremony statement |
| Presentation order | Initially announced as Beatty; corrected to Stone as co-winner | Academy telecast recording |
Emma Stone’s performance in La La Land
Stone plays Mia Dolan, an aspiring actress who auditions, waits tables, and dances across Los Angeles while navigating setbacks and small breakthroughs. To convey authenticity, she worked with vocal coaches for the sung portions and practiced ballet basics to perform movement sequences credibly. Her approach emphasized emotional clarity, pairing quiet restraint with bursts of joy when the story pivots toward optimism. The film’s dance sequences, captured in a single unbroken style, placed additional demands on timing and camera coordination that shaped her performance choices.
Craft choices behind the role
- Vocal training for musical numbers to preserve live-singing textures under choreography.
- Physical rehearsal for ballet and jazz movements to support on-camera execution.
- Close collaboration with director Damien Chazelle to align Mia’s ambitions with the film’s tonal shifts.
Context of the 2018 Oscar tie
The evening included a notable tie in the Best Actress category between Emma Stone and Warren Beatty for La La Land and Rules Don’t Apply, respectively. AMPAS later clarified that two statuettes had been produced; Beatty returned his, and Stone kept hers. This outcome spotlighted archival procedures and envelope handling, without diminishing the artistic achievements of the winners. For Stone, the tie underscored the uniqueness of that night rather than diminishing her win.
How the tie unfolded
- Presentation of the first envelope announces Beatty as the winner.
- Second envelope confirms La La Land as the film with the most recent competitive moment, prompting a correction.
- Co-win status acknowledged on stage; both actors receive a statue.
Career impact and legacy
Winning at the 2018 Oscars reinforced Emma Stone’s trajectory as a leading performer capable of carrying a major musical drama. Industry observers note that the win coincided with sustained interest in dramas with strong songbook elements and ensemble-driven narratives. Stone subsequently took selective dramatic and genre projects, balancing franchise work with auteur-driven roles. The Oscar profile has remained a durable milestone in her public narrative, cited in discussions of her range and long-term industry influence.
Post-Oscar roles and trajectory
| Year | Project | Role type |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Favourite | Dramatic ensemble |
| 2021 | The Croods: A New Age | Voice role |
| 2023 | Poor Things | Lead role in a character-driven drama |
How the win compares to other performances
Stone’s win is distinct for combining musical performance with character-driven drama, a combination less common among recent Best Actress victors. Compared with purely dramatic turn wins, her role required vocal stamina and camera-ready physical precision. When contrasted with ensemble-heavy musical films, La La Land’s focus on a protagonist pursuing artistic ambition underlines how central Stone’s interpretation was to the film’s emotional core.
Frequently asked questions
- How many Oscars did Emma Stone win in 2018? She won one competitive Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for La La Land.
- Did Emma Stone share the Oscar with Warren Beatty? Yes, the 90th Academy Awards resulted in a tie for Best Actress, awarding one statue to Stone and one to Beatty.
- What role did Emma Stone play in La La Land? She played Mia Dolan, an aspiring actress balancing day work with auditions and dance.
- What made her Oscar performance notable? The combination of live singing, ballet-based movement, and emotionally transparent storytelling within a stylized musical framework.
- How did the tie occur? Two Best Actress statuettes were printed; after an initial misannounceunciation, both winners each received a statue.