by Paul Mescal’s proud mum, Dearbhla, was so nervous about this year’s Oscar nominations that she threw them away to do laundry instead.
On Tuesday (January 25), Mescal was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of troubled young dad Calum in Aftersun.
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He will now face Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), Austin Butler (Elvis), Brendan Fraser (The Whale) and Bill Nighy (Living) for the gong, with the ceremony taking place in Los Angeles on March 12.
This was Mescal’s first starring film role, and to celebrate the occasion, he contacted his family via FaceTime – complemented by dad Paul, mom Dearbhla, sister Nell and son Donnacha – so they could all relive the moment together.
Dearbhla, who still lives in Ireland, spoke to RTE about the pending nominations and revealed she was so nervous on behalf of her son that she was forced to do housework to get through it.
“We’re so happy, Donnacha was in New York, sitting in his office, Nelly was in London, she went straight to his apartment,” she said. “It’s an honor to see him in this arena, I’m very emotional today.
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“The fact that I was able to see their three faces today, the love they have for each other as siblings is second to none, I am very happy.”
She added that she was folding laundry when it was confirmed that Mescal had been officially nominated.
Nell later joined in the family’s excitement, revealing that this was a much-needed boost for the Mescal clams as Dearbhla prepares to start chemotherapy for her cancer.
“I’m so proud it makes me sick,” she wrote on Instagram and later shared a recording of the conversation with the caption: “How did this happen?”
“My mum had her hair cut today in preparation for chemo and then Paul was nominated for an Oscar, life is so crazy,” she added.
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Mescal later released his own statement regarding the nomination and said, “This is a really special moment for everyone involved with Aftersun.
“Being recognized by the Academy is a crazy honor and I am so grateful.
“I want to dedicate this nomination to my two friends, Charlotte [Wells, director] and Frankie [Corio, co-star] whom I love very much! These are bananas, thank you!”
WATCH: British Independent Film Awards 2022: Paula Mescal’s Aftersun is the big winner of the evening
