Stars Left Smiling Over Their Oscar Nominations

This heartwarming clip of underdog Jeremy Renner learning he received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for The Hurt Locker (and getting a bear hug from co-star Anthony Mackie) is just one example of the good vibes flowing forth from those acknowledged today. Here’s a few choice quotes from the actors and actresses who woke this morning to good news—assuming they weren’t up all night.

• Meryl Streep, on her record-breaking 16th nomination for Julie & Julia: “I am proud and grateful to stand with these women who have given such a range of beautiful, indelible performances this year!!”
• Carey Mulligan, An Education: “This is beyond anything I’ve ever dreamed of. I’ve definitely never felt such excitement and nausea this early in the morning!”
• Gabourey Sidibe, Precious: “As soon as I heard, I jumped up and down and for some reason I kept screaming, ‘I’m gonna get a car, I’m gonna get a car.’ I don’t know why.” (Good Morning America)
• Colin Firth, A Single Man: “I thought I was managing my expectations, but on hearing the news I discovered new and unfamiliar vocal tones. Perhaps I should do another musical.”
• Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side: “I do believe some liposuction is in order, a very strict diet regime, and I will acquire a very light English accent. I was going to say that I should start wearing glasses, but I already wear glasses, so I am already sort of there.” (Us Magazine)

Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow, while “overwhelmed with joy,” did have something to say about being only the fourth woman to receive a Best Director nomination. “I do think that I hope someday we can lose the modifier and that becomes a moot point whether the person is male or female and they’re just filmmakers making statements that they believe in.” Meanwhile, Precious director Lee Daniels had his own breakthrough to celebrate: “After 82 years, it’s the first film nominated for best picture directed by an African American. Isn’t that great?”