Viola Davis, Regina King, and Chloé Zhao revealed their favorite Oscar memories in the May edition of Entertainment Weekly, which hits newsstands on April 16.
The talented trio of women all scored EW covers as well as nominations for their respective films at the 93rd Academy Awards, which air April 25 on ABC.
‘2017 when I won [for Fences], and I got dressed at home, my mom saw me in the red Armani dress that I had on, and she wept. That, for me, was the best moment,’ Viola, 55, told the mag.
Three cover stars: Viola Davis (pictured), Regina King, and Chloé Zhao revealed their favorite Oscar memories in the May edition of EW, which hits newsstands on April 16
‘When my mom [Mary] cried, what I saw was that I was her dream. I was what she put all of her eggs and apples and money and investment into and she was amazed by what she created. And I’m not saying that because of ego. If you were there, you probably would’ve seen it too. I was happy to give that to her.’
Elsewhere, Davis groaned that directing would be the ‘most miserable experience’ and she also dreaded taking on the role of FLOTUS Michelle Obama in Showtime’s First Ladies.
‘I have no idea who talked me into that, but they should be given an Oscar for that,’ said the South Carolina-born Julliard grad, who’s only a Grammy away from EGOT status.
‘I have to just find moments of intensive work whatever time I can put into it and then I have to exercise some grace and let it go and hope that that’s enough time and enough energy.’
![Viola, 55, told the mag: '2017 when I won [for Fences], and I got dressed at home, my mom saw me in the red Armani dress that I had on, and she wept. That, for me, was the best moment'](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/04/07/03/41429638-9443553-image-a-81_1617762154053.jpg?resize=634%2C951&ssl=1)
Viola, 55, told the mag: ‘2017 when I won [for Fences], and I got dressed at home, my mom saw me in the red Armani dress that I had on, and she wept. That, for me, was the best moment’
![Davis added: 'When my mom [Mary] cried, what I saw was that I was her dream. I was what she put all of her eggs and apples and money and investment into and she was amazed by what she created' (pictured May 10)](https://i2.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/04/07/02/41428820-0-image-a-69_1617760459363.jpg?resize=634%2C755&ssl=1)
Davis added: ‘When my mom [Mary] cried, what I saw was that I was her dream. I was what she put all of her eggs and apples and money and investment into and she was amazed by what she created’ (pictured May 10)
Viola is nominated for best actress for her titular role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – which also scored nods for best actor (Chadwick Boseman), production design, makeup/hairstyling, and costume design.
Regina, 50, said her favorite Oscar memory was when she won best supporting actress in 2019.
‘If I’m being completely honest,’ King laughed.
‘I have no idea who talked me into that’: Elsewhere, the South Carolina-born Julliard grad groaned that directing would be the ‘most miserable experience’ and she also dreaded taking on the role of FLOTUS Michelle Obama (L) in Showtime’s First Ladies
Frontrunner: Viola – who’s only a Grammy away from EGOT status – is nominated for best actress for her titular role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which also scored four other nods
‘Yeah, If Beale Street Could Talk. When that girl Regina King won that Oscar, man! Yup, I just talked about myself in the third person. Sure did!’
And while the former child star did not get a best director nomination for helming One Night in Miami, her drama is up for adapted screenplay (Kemp Powers), supporting actor (Leslie Odom Jr.), and original song (Speak Now).
As for Chloé, 39, this will be her first time attending the Academy Awards but she fondly recalled which wins meant the most to her growing up.
‘If I’m being completely honest’: Regina, 50, said her favorite Oscar memory was when she won best supporting actress in 2019
King laughed: ‘Yeah, If Beale Street Could Talk. When that girl Regina King won that Oscar, man! Yup, I just talked about myself in the third person. Sure did!’
At the helm! And while the former child star did not get a best director nomination for helming One Night in Miami, her drama is up for adapted screenplay (Kemp Powers), supporting actor (Leslie Odom Jr.), and original song (Speak Now)
‘The first one was when I was in [Mount Holyoke College], and we were all watching in the dorms,’ Zhao said.
‘[In 2002] Halle Berry and Denzel [Washington] both won for Monster’s Ball and Training Day, and we all ran out and screamed and hugged. I was very hormonal back then!’
The Beijing-born filmmaker also said it ‘meant a lot’ when Ang Lee won best director for Brokeback Mountain in 2006.
‘It meant a lot’: As for Chloé, 39, this will be her first time attending the Academy Awards but she fondly recalled watching Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, and Ang Lee win in the past
Beautifully shot: Zhao’s film Nomadland was nominated for four technical trophies – best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, and best film editing
The Beijing-born filmmaker smiled: ‘One thing lately that I heard that made me really happy was in South Dakota – a place I love very much – people at the tourism department has said, “Oh this is going to help draw a lot of people to come to our state and visit”‘
Chloé’s film Nomadland was nominated for four technical trophies – best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, and best film editing.
‘One thing lately that I heard that made me really happy was in South Dakota – a place I love very much – people at the tourism department has said, “Oh this is going to help draw a lot of people to come to our state and visit,”‘ Zhao smiled.
‘That made me really happy.’