Sigourney Weaver on the Enduring Excitement of the Oscars
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Sigourney Weaver is no stranger to navigating the Oscars. Having first attended in 1981, the 70-year-old actor has been a fixture at the awards ceremony ever since, being nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress on three different occasions. Sunday night, the star was back again as a presenter; before the event, however, she documented her getting-ready process for Vogue, and discussed why the grand red carpet event is still as exciting as ever.
Despite being an awards season veteran at this point, Weaver told Vogue that she still looks forward to the Oscars every year, whether she’s attending or not. “It’s wonderful to have people make you over—Cinderella goes to the industry prom,” Weaver said. “I never had a prom because I went to an all-girls school, so I’ll let this take the place of it. There’s no dancing and there’s not much making out, but it’s a great night.”
This year, Weaver’s Oscars prep was smartly incorporated into her busy schedule. “I know I’m supposed to say I’ve spent 100,000 hours in the gym,” Weaver said. “I was dancing in the show, Call Your Agent. This episode has a big dance number, so I was getting a lot of exercise. I was really too busy to even have a meal, so I guess I also prepared for the carpet by not eating!”
On the fashion front, Weaver worked with Christian Dior on a special emerald gown for the occasion, which had a draped neckline and a long, pleated skirt. “It moves like a cloud and is certainly one of the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever worn,” said Weaver, adding that it was “made primarily by a brilliant young woman named Séaa, who sewed every bit of it. It’s quite a masterpiece.” The actor first had the idea of working with Dior while working on a project in Paris. “I wanted very much to wear a dress designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri,” she said. “I had been fortunate to see the Christian Dior Haute Couture show. It was a dazzling display of female beauty and strength.” Chiuri designed a special Oscars piece for Weaver in her favorite color, green, using chiffon in two different shades. “It’s not just green,” said Weaver, “it’s green.”
Aside from her new Dior dress, Weaver collaborated with someone else new at this year’s Oscars: celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger. “We had never met, so we had to confer about everything via text,” she said. While this form of dialogue may seem unconventional, Weaver said the two quickly found common ground. “She really came through and brought wonderful ideas and expertise,” Weaver said. “Micaela found stunning vintage jewelry from Fred Leighton and Kwiat, and pulled the whole look together.” Serge Normant on hair, and Brigitte Reiss-Andersen on makeup (using Dior Beauty), also rounded out her glam team for the evening.
Once she was fully ready and prepped for the step and repeat, it was then time for Weaver to head toward the venue’s paparazzi-filled carpet—a place she always feels like a newcomer, despite being a seasoned pro. “You have so much adrenaline on the red carpet,” she said. “When I’m looking around, I sometimes see a big movie star or director and I completely forget that I’m supposed to be a movie star, too. I’ll be gazing around with my eyes like saucers, and then I’m asked a question by a journalist and I go, ‘Oh! I’m supposed to be one of these people!’ ”
Once inside the venue, Weaver said the ceremony’s energy was still as magical as it has been in years prior. “I live in New York, so this is a chance to be in a room with my community and celebrate all the great work that’s been done throughout the year,” she said. “It reminds me of why we all went into this crazy industry—this love of sharing stories with an audience.”
Below, Weaver’s full photo diary from the Oscars.
Photo: Courtesy of Sigourney Weaver1/12Cinderella before the ball. Hydrating the skin is very important!
Photo: Courtesy of Sigourney Weaver2/12My makeup for the night is all by Dior Beauty. Thank you to the Dior team for taking such good care of me!
