At the recent 2024 Oscars nominees luncheon, Carey Mulligan had an unexpected encounter with Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt, leaving her starstruck and lost for words. Mulligan, who stars in the film Maestro, shared her experience during an interview with Extra. She revealed that she had never met Pitt before and wasn't sure how to approach him when she spotted him in the green room at the 2024 Santa Barbara Film Festival.
As fate would have it, Mulligan later found herself sitting in front of Pitt during the event. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see none other than Brad Pitt himself. In awe, Mulligan exclaimed, 'Oh God, Brad Pitt!' This encounter left her feeling thrilled and in awe of the Hollywood icon.
Both Mulligan and Pitt were attending the Santa Barbara Film Festival to honor Bradley Cooper, who received the festival's outstanding performer of the year award for his work on Maestro. Pitt, who described the film as a 'masterwork,' presented the award to Cooper. During his speech, Pitt spoke highly of Mulligan's performance as well, praising her portrayal of Leonard Bernstein's wife, Felicia Montealegre, as 'alive, kinetic, and so natural.'
It seems Pitt has a knack for leaving fellow actors momentarily speechless. Other notable actors, such as Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Hemsworth, have also shared their experiences of feeling starstruck upon meeting Pitt for the first time. His presence has a way of captivating those around him, even his fellow industry professionals.
Pitt's star power extended beyond the Santa Barbara Film Festival when he became the unexpected star of the 2023 Golden Globe Awards. Various presenters, including Quinta Brunson, Austin Butler, and Regina Hall, couldn't help but reference Pitt during their speeches. Brunson, in particular, brought laughter to the room by acknowledging his presence on stage.
As for Maestro, the film has generated significant buzz and critical acclaim, earning seven nominations at the upcoming 96th Oscars. Both Cooper and Mulligan have been recognized for their outstanding performances and have received acting nominations. Furthermore, they are also nominees at the 2024 SAG Awards, which will be streamed live on Netflix on Saturday, February 24th, at 8 p.m. ET.
Encounters like Mulligan's with Brad Pitt remind us that even accomplished actors can still experience the thrill of meeting their idols. Pitt's magnetic presence and talent have left a lasting impression on many in the industry, cementing his status as one of Hollywood's most iconic figures.
