News | Entertainment
22 Feb 2026 1:33
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: Hilary Duff "just felt really ready to share" when she returned to the music business
     21 Feb: Zendaya has learned that "so much of life is loss"
     21 Feb: Jelly Roll found reading Bunnie Xo's memoir to be "rough at times"
     21 Feb: Henry Winkler has hailed Ron Howard as "one of the best acting partners" of his career
     21 Feb: Shia LaBeouf has addressed his Mardi Gras arrest with a brief social media message hours after being released from jail
     21 Feb: Kurt Cobain's death has been branded a potential murder by the police officer assigned to audit his death
     21 Feb: Taylor Swift has been confirmed by IFPI as the Official Biggest-Selling Global Artist of the Year 2025
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    It's a Super Rugby "rinse and repeat' moment for Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Two dogs have been impounded by Christchurch Council Animal Management officers and three people are in hospital after an attack in the North West More...



     Today's News

    Auckland:
    A e-bike rider is in hospital after crashing in central Auckland this evening 21:56

    Entertainment:
    Hilary Duff "just felt really ready to share" when she returned to the music business 21:47

    Entertainment:
    Zendaya has learned that "so much of life is loss" 21:17

    Auckland:
    A car has flipped after hitting a parked car in Auckland's Hillsborough this evening 21:16

    International:
    I had a miscarriage over the summer. It was nothing like I expected 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Jelly Roll found reading Bunnie Xo's memoir to be "rough at times" 20:47

    Entertainment:
    Henry Winkler has hailed Ron Howard as "one of the best acting partners" of his career 20:17

    Entertainment:
    Shia LaBeouf has addressed his Mardi Gras arrest with a brief social media message hours after being released from jail 19:47

    Entertainment:
    Kurt Cobain's death has been branded a potential murder by the police officer assigned to audit his death 19:17

    Rugby:
    It's a Super Rugby "rinse and repeat' moment for Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd