The actress, who had taken a break from acting, made a dazzling comeback in the biopic “Maria.” She earned praise for her masterful transformation into opera legend Maria Callas.
The 2025 Oscars nominations were revealed on Thursday, January 23. The absence of Angelina Jolie’s name from the nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role list has struck a chord with fans who believe her epic performance deserved a place among the year’s best.
A fan reacts to Angelina Jolie being snubbed for the Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscars nomination, from a post dated January 23, 2025 | Source: Instagram/justjared
“Maria” is a biopic that delves into the final days of Maria Callas, a famous and talented opera singer, as she navigates her identity and reflects on her life in 1970s Paris. Jolie portrayed Callas with remarkable depth and precision.
The film, directed by Pablo Larraín and penned by Steven Knight, brought Callas’s story to life with a moving blend of artistry and drama. “Maria” has bagged a nomination at the Oscars for Best Cinematography, alongside “Dune: Part Two,” “The Brutalist,” “Emilia Perez,” and “Nosferatu.”
However, the film’s cast, including Jolie, was overlooked at the Oscars. Fans of the actress expected to see her name in the nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role but couldn’t find it. The nominees for this category include Demi Moore, Cynthia Erivo, Fernanda Torres, Mikey Madison, and Karla Sofia Gascon.
Social media users expressed disappointment that Jolie’s transformative performance did not receive recognition. One passionate fan wrote, “I can’t believe Angie didn’t get a nomination..you can like or dislike that movie but her performance was brilliant. What is happening.”
Meanwhile, some were more direct in expressing their frustration, “ANGELINA JOLIE WAS ROBBED!” Others echoed similar sentiments, “Angelina not even being nominated is a CRIMEEEE [sic],” and another fan added, “Wow. I thought Angelina Jolie was a lock for a nomination. I’m shocked, I tell you. SHOCKED!”
The disappointment continued to pour in as a user lamented, “Angelina Jolie not recieving [sic] #Oscars nomination for her role in MARIA is the biggest snub for me.” Another fan couldn’t hide their disbelief, stating, “Angelina Jolie didn’t get in for best actress??!!!”
Perhaps the most pointed reaction came from someone who emphasized the dedication Jolie poured into her role, “Angelina Jolie didn’t master the intensely difficult art of singing OPERA just to get SNUBBED by the #Oscars for her portrayal of Maria Callas!”
Angelina Jolie went through intensive training to play a complex character like Callas, who was celebrated as the greatest opera singer of her time while grappling with inner turmoil, questions of identity, and medical issues.
She described how the entire process was, “I was very ‘in it’ when I was in it. I had seven months of singing class, Italian class, and opera class. Then, throughout filming, Pablo and the team treated me like a singer—which really meant a lot to me. I had pianos wherever I went, my coaches, my exercises, and every night I was practicing for the next performance.”
Jolie’s portrayal of Callas received praise from her vocal coach, Eric Vetro, who is known for working with high-profile stars such as Ariana Grande and Timothée Chalamet.
According to Vetro, the actress embarked on the challenging task of singing from scratch, having no prior experience. Her dedication and progress over time were remarkable, with her voice seamlessly blending with Callas’ original recordings in the biopic “Maria.”
One standout moment for Vetro during their sessions was hearing Jolie sing the soprano aria “O mio babbino caro” from the 1918 opera “Gianni Schicchi.” He found it to be the most memorable and thrilling day of their work together. “I was like, ‘This is it. She can do it. She’s the perfect person to play this role,'” he shared.
Vetro, who is a devoted admirer of Callas, one of his favorite opera singers, was deeply moved by Jolie’s ability to capture her essence in such an authentic and powerful way.
As much as Jolie’s vocal coach was impressed, she was not surprised by her dedication, given her remarkable acting career. Vetro noted, “I feel like anything she decided to do, she probably could do. She’s a remarkable human being. She really inspired me to always give 150% every minute of the day, because she does.”
Jolie, who gave her best while playing Callas, has missed her chance at an Oscar win this year. However, 25 years ago, she won her first and only Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Lisa Rowe in the period drama “Girl, Interrupted.”
