Gladstone Rocks Hollywood

Lynn University Students and Faculty Discuss Hollywood Representation

By Lisset Guillen, Assistant Editor

On Jan. 23, 2024, Lily Gladstone became the first Native American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Recently, iPulse had the pleasure to interview the Lynn community about representation in Hollywood.


“Killers of the Flower Moon” stars Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jesse Plemons. However, Gladstone’s performance shines as she plays an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, grieving over the loss of her family.


“This movie, based on real events, shows the unimaginable treatment of indigenous people in the U.S.,” said Professor Susan Black Olson, a professor within the College of Communication and Design. “To have a Native American portraying the lead character is important and reflective. I am much more inclined to connect with the film because the characters are accurately represented.”


The movie depicts how the Native American Osage people were murdered in Oklahoma during the 1920s. It tells the story of how Burkhart’s family and other Native Americans were killed by white unscrupulous men to steal their land and oil.


“I think it is important for this message to be communicated,” said Amelia Fish, a junior majoring in psychology. “I think it’s important for the younger generation to be aware of the past as well, too, because nobody knows about it. It should be talked about.”


On Jan. 7, 2024, Gladstone won a Golden Globe in the category of best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture.


“I believe that representation in Hollywood is important,” said Jermaine Richards, a senior majoring in sports management. “Hollywood should be diverse and actors, directors and everyone else should come from any background.”


According to The Hollywood Reporter, a mathematical formula predicted that Gladstone had a 99.1 percent chance of winning the Oscar, proving that she has an excellent chance of taking the golden statue home.

Above: Gladstone in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Photo/ew.com.

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