It’s not often that an award designed for emerging talents includes two global pop icons and a Winter Soldier, but the 40th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Award delivered an eclectic and dynamic mix of honorees. With Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and Sebastian Stan among the recipients, the Arlington Theatre pulsated with energy as fans clamored for a glimpse of their favorite stars.
The Virtuosos Award, an honor celebrating actors whose performances have elevated them into the cinematic spotlight, recognized eight individuals this year: Ariana Grande (“Wicked”), Clarence Maclin (“Sing Sing”), Fernanda Torres (“I’m Still Here”), John Magaro (“September 5”), Mikey Madison (“Anora”), Monica Barbaro (“A Complete Unknown”), Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”), and Selena Gomez (“Emilia Pérez”). Moderator Dave Karger guided the honorees through illuminating discussions about their craft, with veteran actress Jane Lynch presenting the prestigious awards.
Grande, who portrays the effervescent Glinda in “Wicked”, arrived in her signature pink, a nod to the role she has embodied with enthusiasm since promoting the film. She reflected on the sheer magnitude of the experience. “Playing Glinda was the dream of my life, and I was so deeply grateful to do that work. To be recognized in this way is something you don’t even think about, so I’m deeply grateful.” She also offered an enticing tease for the upcoming sequel, promising a film suffused with “unconditional love, forgiveness, and friendship.” She added, “You’ll see people bear the repercussions of their choices.”
“Sing Sing’s” Clarence Maclin provided one of the evening’s most moving reflections, sharing the deeply personal nature of his work on the film. “As you could imagine, on the onset, it was a lot of apprehension about going back to a place I clawed myself out of, to walk back into a prison and put on the uniform that so readily identified you as an outcast. The message is that people in prison are just that, they’re just people, and they have the ability to change. That message was more important than the apprehension I suffered to get that message out.” Speaking to Awards Focus on the red carpet prior to the award presentation, he also recounted a memorable audience response, in which a woman revealed that, after watching the film, her family rekindled communication with an incarcerated loved one. “That seems like I united people,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Fresh off her surprising Golden Globe win for Best Actress in the Brazilian film “I’m Still Here,” Fernanda Torres highlighted the significance of this year’s roles for women in cinema. “This is such a special year for women in cinema, with great performances—many of them by women over 40, some even over 50. This year, there should be 10 nominations to truly reflect the range and depth of talent we’ve seen.”
John Magaro, lauded for his nuanced performance in “September 5”, spoke about the transportive power of cinema. “I’m a nerd, so I like going back in history. Part of the reason I do this, part of the reason I love film, is the chance to time travel. The idea that film can transport us back in time and show us a moment in history that changed everything is really intriguing to me.” Magaro’s performance in September 5 has been particularly praised for its ability to balance intimacy and scope, capturing the deep complexities of a pivotal historical moment.
Mikey Madison, whose performance in “Anora” has been widely celebrated for its raw vulnerability and layered emotionality, expressed her deep gratitude for working with director Sean Baker. “Oh my gosh, it’s such a dream come true. Sean is amazing. I admired his work for so long, so it’s kind of unbelievable. “When I met Sean for the first time, there was no script. We had a coffee, and it was the first time a director gave a role without auditioning me. He saw a horror film I did opening weekend, remembered me from Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, and said if I wanted to do it, he’d write it for me.”
Monica Barbaro, stepping into the shoes of folk icon Joan Baez in “A Complete Unknown”, undertook the challenge of learning both the guitar and singing for the role, further deepening her portrayal. She delved into the meticulous process of capturing Baez’s essence. “Everyone talks about her vibrato and the key that she sings her songs in… If I could get close to those things, I could portray her as someone recognizable to people.” She also shed light on her collaboration with Timothée Chalamet, who portrays Bob Dylan in the film. “We met like a week before filming, and one of those meetings was a music rehearsal. It was nice to have tangible work to present at the beginning of this.”
Sebastian Stan, who transforms into a young Donald Trump in “The Apprentice”, detailed the painstaking preparation required to embody such a figure. “There was obviously so much footage, and it was really helpful. Part of it was like learning a new instrument, you practice until you can do it. I worked with a dialect coach, and everything had a purpose.” “You spend months preparing for lightning to strike, and you go there and want to be surprised.” It’s also worth noting that Stan won a Golden Globe for his performance in “A Different Man”, only further cementing his breakout year.
Selena Gomez, who delivers a stirring performance in “Emilia Pérez”, reflected on the experience with a mix of pride and contemplation. “Some of the magic has disappeared, but I continue to be proud of what I’m doing. No regrets, I’d do this movie over and over again if I could,” she shared. Her statement was a reference to the controversy surrounding co-star Karla Sofía Gascón. Despite this, Gomez emphasized her deep appreciation for the film and its impact on her career. She also hinted at a pivotal shift in her creative pursuits, suggesting a departure from music—at least for now. “I think I’m ready to just focus on this for a while, film and art making and being around talented people who uplift me along the way. I think it’ll be hard for me to go back to music after this.”
As awards season winds down, these performers continue to stake their claim in the cinematic landscape, their work resonating with audiences and critics alike. With the Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards on the horizon, they remain in contention for further recognition, their performances having elevated their respective films into the awards conversation. Whether through transformative character studies, deeply personal portrayals, or sheer technical prowess, each honoree has contributed to some of the most compelling films of the year.
