Cate Blanchett felt under "intense pressure" to win an Oscar.
The Australian actress - who already picked up Best Actress at the BAFTAs, Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe Awards for her role in 'Blue Jasmine' - is relieved awards season is over as being favourite for the prizes was so uncomfortable.
Asked about the pressure of being frontrunner to take home the statue, she said: "It's an intense, unbearable pressure, which I'm so glad is over."
And Cate - who previously picked up Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 'The Aviator' in 2005 - admitted she has been "gobsmacked" by the performances of her fellow actresses, both this year and in recent times when she has been working in theatre away from Hollywood.
Speaking backstage at last night's (02.03.14) ceremony, she told reporters: "Every year, I watch this thing remotely and there are five, six, ten, twenty performances by women that I am godsmacked by."
The 44-year-old beauty joked she had selected her ivory Armani gown after comparing it with others she was offered and asking "which one's the heaviest?"
She added: "I had the great good fortunate of being princess this morning and have three dresses to choose from, and I chose this one."
And Cate had begun her preparations for the big day with an intense massage.
She said: "My morning began with being pummeled like Kobe beef. And it's just gotten better and better."
During her acceptance speech, the actress made a cryptic shout out to Julia Roberts, saying "Julia, hashtag suck it," and remained coy afterwards as to what she had meant.
She said only: "It happened in the bar with Ms. Roberts. And that's all I'm prepared to say."

Kelly Osbourne and Lady Gaga have officially ended their feud.
The 'Fashion Police' host and her mother Sharon had been engaged in a war of words for over a year, and though they agreed to call a truce late last year, they finally came face-to-face for the first time last night (02.03.14) at Sir Elton John's Annual AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in Hollywood.
As the host looked on, Kelly, 29, and Gaga, 27, shared a joke before posing for a joke picture which saw the presenter put her hands around the 'Applause' singer's throat.
Posting the photo onto Instagram, Kelly added the caption: "Peace at last."
In October, Gaga tried to make peace with her rival by sending a birthday cake via her mother Sharon after performing on 'The X Factor' in the UK.
However, Kelly rejected the gift, dismissing it as a publicity stunt, but later apologised for her ungrateful response.
She tweeted: ''@ladygaga I acted like a child last night. Just not into publicity stunts call me & we will end this like adults I don't want 2 fight anymore.''
She also said': ''I will just admit that I overreacted. I really did, because when you start to f**k with me and my mom, that's when I start to get a little bit... I saw it wrong. I saw it more as a publicity stunt than an olive branch. There's a lot of really huge misunderstandings on both sides of this ridiculous fight that doesn't even need to be happening.''
The Osbournes had been involved in a bitter feud with Gaga for months, with Sharon previously branding the eccentric singer - whose Born This Way Foundation campaigns against bullying - a ''publicity-seeking hypocrite'' for letting her fans send threatening messages to her Kelly after she blasted Gaga's 2012 Grammy Awards outfit.

Lupita Nyong'o stunned in a pastel blue floor length gown at the Oscars in Los Angeles where she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in '12 Years A Slave'.

Leonardo DiCaprio looked suave in a black tuxedo at the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 'Wolf Of Wall Street' actor was snubbed for Best Actor in favour of Matthew Mconaughey.

Kate Hudson showed off her petite figure in a fitted white evening gown with a daring neckline and cape detailing at the Oscars. The 'Something Borrowed' actress styled her hair into loose waves to finish the look.

Jennifer Lawrence opted for a daring red dress at the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 'American Hustle' star was left red faced when she suffered an embarrassing fall on the red carpet.

Angelina Jolie waved for fans as she dazzled in a sheer dress embellished with sequins at the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The actress paired the dress with a large pair of diamond drop earrings.

Amy Adams wore a chic blue floor length gown to celebrate the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 'American Hustle' actress styled her hair into a neat updo and wore pink crystal earrings.

Anne Hathaway stunned in a black floor length gown heavily embellished with mirrored jewels at the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. She kept her look simple, sporting a short pixie haircut and black clutch bag.

Cate Blanchett stunned in a flesh coloured gown embellished with jewels and sequins at the Oscars in Los Angeles where she picked up an award for Best Actress.

Matthew McConaughey looked sharp in a white tuxedo blazer and black trousers as he picked up an award for 'Best Actor' which honoured his role in 'Dallas Buyers Club'.

Sandra Bullock looked regal in an off the shoulder midnight blue gown at the 86th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 'Gravity' actress accessorised with a diamond bracelet and earrings.