News | Entertainment
21 Feb 2026 17:53
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Andra Day feels “overwhelmed” to be nominated for an Oscar

    The 36-year-old singer and actress is up for the Best Actress gong at the Academy Awards this year for her role in ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’, and has said she can’t quite believe she’s been nominated for the honour alongside the likes of Viola Davis, Frances McDormand, Vanessa Kirby, and Carey Mulligan


    Andra and Viola being nominated in the same category also made history, as it is the first time two Black women have been shortlisted for the prize since Diana Ross and Cicely Tyson both received nods in 1973.

    Speaking about her fellow nominees, Andra said: "We're just sharing this space, we are representing multiple stories, and we are loving on each other. I'm celebrating them, rooting for them.

    "Just being with Viola in this space, especially being the first time two Black women have been nominated since Diana Ross and Cicely Tyson, it's amazing. It feels a little overwhelming."

    The star – who also took home the Golden Globe for best actress in a motion picture – drama for her portrayal of Billie – also teased the “very sexy” and “very feminine” dress she plans to wear on Oscars night on April 26.

    She told People magazine: "I want it to be something different. I want it to be something that's very sexy, very feminine but also strong and confident at the same time because that's kind of what [playing Billie] brought out of me.

    “I wanted [Billie] represented in it, I wanted Diana Ross' Billie Holiday from the '70s … I wanted sort of the strength and focus of Audra McDonald's Billie Holiday, and then me, 2021, my Billie."

    Meanwhile, Andra recently said her Oscars nomination was “crazy”.

    She said: "When I looked at my phone I saw that it was full of messages.

    "I figured this might mean we got the green light on the nomination. [I had this] flood of messages that I’m super grateful for. It’s crazy, it’s amazing.”

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     21 Feb: Sharon Stone has unleashed a fiery takedown of society's ongoing discomfort with nudity, blasting the idea that women should hide their bodies - or be ashamed of the most basic parts of being human
     21 Feb: Drawings by the late Queen Elizabeth are expected to sell for thousands at auction
     21 Feb: David Archuleta made himself homeless at the height of his fame
     21 Feb: Hart to Hart stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers recently reunited for the former's 96th birthday
     21 Feb: Prince William has opened up about the personal work he does to understand his own emotions, saying he often needs time to process how he feels
     21 Feb: Emma Heming Willis says caring for her husband Bruce Willis has made her realise how "vital" it is to concentrate on her own health
     21 Feb: Daniel Radcliffe expects Harry Potter TV series star Dominic McLaughlin to upstage him in the role
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Tiaan Whelpton's made a resounding statement at the International Track Meet in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A economist says New Zealanders appear to have gotten a spending hangover More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Sharon Stone has unleashed a fiery takedown of society's ongoing discomfort with nudity, blasting the idea that women should hide their bodies - or be ashamed of the most basic parts of being human 17:47

    Cricket:
    To the women's one day cricket final at the Basin Reserve 17:27

    Entertainment:
    Drawings by the late Queen Elizabeth are expected to sell for thousands at auction 17:17

    Education:
    Students in Auckland's Northcote College will be learning remotely next week, due to a fire-damaged building needing to be cleared 16:57

    Entertainment:
    David Archuleta made himself homeless at the height of his fame 16:47

    Entertainment:
    Hart to Hart stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers recently reunited for the former's 96th birthday 16:17

    Motoring:
    A crash has blocked the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road at Mount Creighton 16:17

    International:
    The shamans and designer handbags before Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection conviction 16:07

    Entertainment:
    Prince William has opened up about the personal work he does to understand his own emotions, saying he often needs time to process how he feels 15:47

    Rugby:
    Tiaan Whelpton's made a resounding statement at the International Track Meet in Christchurch 15:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd