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'Stop the televised horse race': Cate Blanchett's fiery Critics Choice Awards speech divides Internet

Cate Blanchett lashed out at the 'patriarchal pyramid' of the industry and lauded the women who are 'doing amazing work' in her speech

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA : Cate Blanchett won the award for Best Actress for her movie 'Tar' at the Critics Choice Awards on January 13. In the film, Blanchett plays Lydia Tár, a fiercely independent and world-renowned composer whose esteemed career comes crashing down around her after being accused of sexual harassment.

After accepting her award, the two-time Oscar winner went on to speak about the awards season in a stirring speech, eliciting mixed reactions from the Internet. 

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She joked in the beginning, "I've got gum in my mouth. I really didn't expect to be standing here. This is actually the second award of the evening. Julia Roberts, earlier, presented me with a bottle of mouthwash. So thank you, Julia. This is a poor second."

She went on to talk about how it is a "patriarchal pyramid" and accused the industry of promoting a "televised horse race". She went on to say, “It’s extremely arbitrary considering how many extraordinary performances that have been by women not only in this room but, you know… the extraordinary creative conversation. I can’t believe I’m up here. This is ridiculous. I am so old,” she laughed as she continued. “Why don’t we just say there is a whole lot of female performances that are in concert and in dialogue with one another? And stop the televised horse race of it all." "It's like, what is this? It's this patriarchal pyramid where someone stands up here," she added. "Can I tell you, every single woman… in television, film, advertising, tampon commercials, whatever. You are doing amazing work that is inspiring me continually. Thank you. I share this with you all.”

The other nominees were Viola Davis ('The Woman King'), Danielle Deadwyler ('Till'), Margot Robbie ('Babylon'), Michelle Williams ('The Fabelmans') and Michelle Yeoh ('Everything Everywhere All at Once').

The internet has had a very mixed reaction to the speech. One fan showed her appreciation and love towards Blanchett and said, "This critics choice awards speech is added to the growing list of amazing cate blanchett speeches istg she keeps outdoing herself #CriticsChoiceAwards #CriticsChoiceAwards2023." One user slammed her saying, "Well, that speech made me not want to see Cate Blanchett win the Oscar, give it to Michelle Yeoh, who probably won´t sh*t on her own awards while getting it. #CriticsChoiceAwards."

Another fan agreed with Blanchett and thanked her for her speech, "Yep, actors work with each other. That’s what we do. It shouldn’t be a “competition”. Thanks Cate!" Another said, "Well said. She is a class act all the way." Another user criticized Blanchett saying, "White actresses are so greedy, Cate Blanchett is no exception, she campaigns, gives a speech belittling others and all to win a third Oscar. Non-white actresses have been waiting for more than a hundred years to be recognized. #CriticsChoiceAwards #CriticsChoiceAreSoWhite." Another fan simply said, "Okay love Cate Blanchett good for her but what was that speech."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.