Elle Fanning Overwhelmed After Oscar Nod: “I Can’t Catch My Breath”
Elle Fanning is officially an Oscar nominee, and her reaction shows just how emotional this moment is for her. The news came on Thursday, January 22, 2026, when the Academy announced the nominations for the 98th Oscars.
Fanning earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value, according to the Academy’s official announcement.
The 27-year-old actress shared a heartfelt moment on Instagram, posting a screenshot from a FaceTime call with director Joachim Trier and his wife, Helle Bendixen Trier. She appeared moved to tears as she took in the news.
“IS THIS REAL!?!?!?! IS THIS A DREAM!?!?!?! I can’t catch my breath,” she wrote. “I am in absolute shock. What an honor to have my first Academy Award nomination be for a film that acknowledges the power of moviemaking and family! My Mom, Grandma, Sister, and Aunt were here with me this morning to scream and hug and cry.”
Sentimental Value has become one of this year’s standout films. The movie, directed by Joachim Trier and co-written with Eskil Vogt, received nine nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best International Feature for Norway. Fanning’s nomination was part of a strong showing for the cast, with co-stars Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas also earning acting nods.
In the film, Fanning plays Rachel Kemp, an American actress cast by an estranged director, Gustav Borg, played by Skarsgård. The role mirrors Fanning’s real-life experience, as she traveled to Oslo to film and navigate the European artistic scene. Critics praised her for bringing energy and sincerity to a character that balances the heavier family drama at the heart of the story.
This nomination is a major milestone for Fanning, who has been acting since she was a child. She has earned acclaim for projects like The Great and The Neon Demon, but the Oscar nod marks a significant step forward in her career. Fanning has shared in interviews that she was inspired by Trier’s previous work, The Worst Person in the World, and would have taken any role just to work with the director.
Fanning has had a busy start to 2026. She recently attended the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where she received the International Star Award for her ensemble work. She also discussed her goals for the year, saying she wanted to stay more present and “spiral” less about the future.
Looking ahead, Fanning has several high-profile projects lined up. She will take on the role of a young Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. She also appeared in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and is attached to projects like The Nightingale, where she will act alongside her sister, Dakota Fanning.
With her Oscar nomination and a busy year ahead, Elle Fanning is cementing her place as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and exciting young stars.
Fans are now debating whether Fanning will take home the trophy for Best Supporting Actress. Do you think her performance in Sentimental Value stands out this year, or is there another nominee you’re rooting for?
