Former ‘Hollyoaks’ star Rachel Shenton is hoping to turn her Oscar-winning short film ‘The Silent Child’ into a feature-length drama, following its success at the Academy Awards.
The actress/writer and her film-maker boyfriend, Chris Overton, triumphed at Sunday (4 March) night’s ceremony in the Best Live Action Short Film category, for their drama about a four-year-old deaf girl learning to communicate.
Speaking on ITV’s ‘This Morning’, the pair are now hoping it will lead to bigger things and continue to teach people about deafness.
ITV
“Hopefully it will open doors, but mainly for the message of the film and what it’s done for deaf awareness,” Chris said.
Rachel who is probably best-known for playing Mitzeee Minniver in ‘Hollyoaks’ from 2010 to 2013, continued: “We’d love to extend this story, either a feature film or longer drama. Hopefully it will help for that. It’s a pretty decent proof of concept.”
Chatting to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield live from LA, Rachel and Chris revealed they celebrated their unexpected win with a burger, most of which ended up over their Oscar.
“We did go to a party, we did a few interviews, we went in, got an In-N-Out burger and then went back to the flat where all of our crew were, had a cup of tea, had a bit of a celebration with them,” Rachel said.
Chris admitted: “There’s still a bit of tomato on one of the Oscars…”.
Craig Sjodin via Getty Images
Rachel also said she was “terrified” as she took to the stage and signed her acceptance speech, having learned sign language at the age of 12, when her father went deaf after a course of chemotherapy.
Admitting the win still hadn’t sunk in, she added: “We were being serious when we were saying we’re so honoured to be nominated, we really, really meant it.
“We’ve said all along, if this is where it ends, at the nomination, we’re so happy with that and then they read out ‘The Silent Child’. We still can’t believe it now.
“I don’t how we’re going to top this!” she laughed.
‘This Morning’ airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV.
Oscars 2018 Red Carpet
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Daniel Kaluuya attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Allison Janney attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Margot Robbie (R) and Sarie Kessler attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Lupita Nyong'o (L) and Danai Gurira attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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THE OSCARS(r) - The 90th Oscars(r) broadcasts live on Oscar(r) SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre� at Hollywood & Highland Center� in Hollywood, on the ABC Television Network. (Kelsey McNeal via Getty Images) (credit:Kelsey McNeal via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Timothee Chalamet (L) and Armie Hammer attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Allison Williams attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Chadwick Boseman attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Greta Gerwig attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Viola Davis attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Saoirse Ronan attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (credit:Neilson Barnard via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Nicole Kidman attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Emma Stone attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Jennifer Lawrence attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Mark Hamill (R) and Marilou Hamill attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Sam Rockwell and Leslie Bibb attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Tiffany Haddish attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Mary J. Blige attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Betty Gabriel attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Laura Dern attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Helen Mirren attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Taraji P. Henson (R) attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Zendaya attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Tom Holland attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Taraji P. Henson attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Kelly Marie Tran attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Gal Gadot attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Patrick Stewart (L) and Sunny Ozell attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Phoebe Waller-Bridge attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Salma Hayek Pinault attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Ashley Judd attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Jennifer Lawrence attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Andy Serkis attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Jane Fonda attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Jennifer Garner attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Whoopi Goldberg attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Blanca Blanco (R) attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (credit:Neilson Barnard via Getty Images)
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Lakeith Stanfield arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Andra Day attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Emily Blunt attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images)
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British actress Sally Hawkins arrive for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELA WEISS via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Christopher Plummer attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Gael Garcia Bernal attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
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THE OSCARS(r) - The 90th Oscars(r) broadcasts live on Oscar(r) SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre� at Hollywood & Highland Center� in Hollywood, on the ABC Television Network. (Kelsey McNeal via Getty Images)ABBIE CORNISH, CALEB LANDRY JONES (credit:Kelsey McNeal via Getty Images)
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Nazanin Mandi and Miguel arrive for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
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Darrell Britt-Gibson arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Janet Mock attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
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Zoey Deutch arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Allison Williams attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images)
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THE OSCARS(r) - The 90th Oscars(r) broadcasts live on Oscar(r) SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre� at Hollywood & Highland Center� in Hollywood, on the ABC Television Network. (Rick Rowell via Getty Images)DANNY GLOVER, ELIANE CAVALLEIRO (credit:Rick Rowell via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Lakeith Stanfield attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Gina Rodriguez attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Polk via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: (L-R) Darrell Britt-Gibson, Sandy Martin, Abbie Cornish, and Caleb Landry Jones attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: St. Vincent attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: (L-R) Adrian Molina, Darla K. Anderson, and Lee Unkrich attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Director Agnes Varda attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Samara Weaving attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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Actress Rita Moreno arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Mira Sorvino attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (credit:Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Margot Robbie attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
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Dee Rees (L) and Sarah Broom arrive for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
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US figure skater Mirai Nagasu (L) and US Olympic medalist Adam Rippon arrive for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELA WEISS via Getty Images)
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Leslie Man arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Willem Dafoe (L) and Giada Colagrande attend the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (credit:Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images)