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Culture > Entertainment

My Time in the Oscars Virtual Press Room..and My Interview with Brendan Fraser

Cameron Crews
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NCSU chapter.

Another year means another Oscars, and the 95th ceremony did not disappoint. I love award shows, and the Academy Awards are my absolute favorite. It is a dream of mine to be able to attend, so I decided on a whim to apply for a press pass to try and get to the show in person. Expectedly, I was denied a pass for in-person coverage. This was no surprise, I have never covered a high-profile event before and am only nineteen, so I wasn’t too beat up over the rejection. But then, I was given the opportunity to apply for a virtual press pass, so I did. Much to my surprise, I was granted access to the event and would have the opportunity to speak with the night’s Oscar winners. I was over the moon excited, but a voice in the back of my head was telling me that there was no way I would get picked in a room and on a Zoom full of established journalists.

The event started at 8pm EST, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting. I joined a Zoom thirty minutes before the start of the show and waited. Winners began to slowly trickle in, and reporters began asking questions. I had no idea how many people were actually in the press room or on the Zoom, so I figured my chances of getting picked were already slim. With this notion in mind, I decided to save my question for one of the main categories on the off-chance that they would call on me.

The night went on as the winners were announced from Jamie Lee Curtis to Ke Huy Quan. Then the Best Actor award was announced and Brendan Fraser won for his performance in The Whale. Fraser has had a triumphant and amazing comeback into Hollywood, and deserved the award for his incredible performance. I had to quickly compose myself by the shows end, as winners began trickling into the conference room. The show ended at approximately 11:45pm and the waiting began. The announcer exclaimed that Fraser was walking into the room at around 12:25am and I contemplated for a second of if I should even try and ask him a question. I did not think I would get picked, especially because I had hesitated to raise my hand, but not but 30 seconds after clicking the “Raise Hand” button, I got a message from the showrunner, letting me know that I would be up next. I slightly began to  panic realizing that I was about to talk to the BEST ACTOR OSCAR WINNER, but quickly composed myself. They introduced my name and it was finally my turn for my very first celebrity interview, something that I have been after ever since I started applying for press passes to every event I could think of.

 

“I heard my name and thought, uh that can’t be right, but it was, so I guess I should go up there and say something quick”

-Brendan Fraser

I started off my congratulating him, to which he thanked me for. (We’re like practically best friends at this point). I then asked him what the past year of his spectacular comeback has been like and the fact that everyone on the internet was supporting him and rooting for him. “This has been incredibly rewarding and affirming,” Fraser said. “It has given me a lesson in humility and gratitude.” The second part to my question was asking him what the first thought in his head was, when he heard his name called–which is something I have always wondered when watching people’s reactions to getting these awards. “What did I hear when I first my name? I heard my name and thought, uh that can’t be right, but it was, so I guess I should go up there and say something quick” he said and chuckled. He then proceeded to thank his “internet friends who have been so generous.” He ended his quote by saying that he “hopes he lives up to this,” as he held up his award. The room erupted in applause and I somehow was able to get not only the last question in, but only one of four questions asked of him. I cannot believe that I was able to have this experience, not only at such a young age, but in the the comfort of my own home like it was just any other Sunday. This was truly one of the coolest moments of my life, and I hope to be able to do it again next year (maybe even in-person!) 

To watch my interview with Brendan Fraser, watch below! (It starts at 6:14) 

Cameron Crews is the president of Her Campus at NC State. She is responsible for publishing all articles, leading meetings, encouraging all staff, and overseeing the entire chapter. This is her fourth year on Her Campus and her third year as President. Outside of Her Campus, Cameron was the Editor-in-Chief of her high school’s yearbook, which she helped lead to being awarded the best book in the entire state and honored at Columbia University’s scholastic journalism awards. She worked as an intern at Southpark Magazine in Charlotte, NC, where she edited articles, conducted interviews, and assisted the editors. In the Summer of 2023, she attended Regents University in London, England, where she took fashion classes from high players in the fashion industry who have worked with the likes of Andy Warhol, Alexander McQueen, Christian Siriano, and more. She also had the opportunity to interview Brendan Fraser immediately after he won his “Best Actor” Oscar at the 2023 Academy Awards. She interned with one of Hollywood's top stylists Tara Swennen in Summer 2024. She is a senior at NC State University majoring in Communications with a minor in Journalism. After graduation, she hopes to move to LA or London and work in the fashion industry as either a fashion editor or celebrity stylist. Cameron was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, with her younger brother and dog, George Bailey. She enjoys shopping, watching movies, listening to music, writing, hanging out with friends, and traveling in her free time. She is a huge Taylor Swift and Harry Styles fan and has seen them both in concert multiple times. She is also a movie aficionado with some of her favorites being Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood, Barbie, Lady Bird, the Breakfast Club, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.