Ellen Burstyn has "divided feelings" about attending award shows.
The ‘Interstellar’ actress admits she is not keen on the "look at me aspect" of award ceremonies but enjoys having a chance to meet up with friends at the event.
She said: "I always have divided feelings. On one hand, it’s fun to see other people. When I won an Emmy for ‘Political Animals’ [in 2012], Louis C.K. was there and I had just done his show. He was nominated and it was fun, after we worked together, to be at the same awards.
"I’m not a party-goer or someone who likes crowds and the events, I’m a person who prefers to have dinner with a few friends. It’s always a little bit of a strain to pretend like I’m having a really good time. There’s something about the ‘look at me’ aspect – ‘whose dress are you wearing?’ – that has a kind of false ring to me. But on the other hand, I’d rather be nominated and be there than be home watching on television wondering why I wasn’t."
The 83-year-old actress was famously nominated for her role in HBO movie ‘Mrs. Harris’, despite only appearing in the film for 14 seconds, and she admits it was very "flattering" to be recognised in that way.
She added to Variety.com: "It was a weird thing and how do you understand a weird thing? It happened and I thought it was kind of funny. I kept saying, ‘If I work really hard can I get an Emmy for not appearing at all?’
"What surprised me is how that became part of my Wikipedia bio. I’ve lived a long successful life and that’s what stands out? But it was flattering if you think about it. People voted, whether they saw it or not, assuming I did a good job."
Ellen Burstyn: I have ‘divided feelings’ about award shows
