“That’s the nicest reception I’ve had in 250,000 years,” MacLaine says at Oscars
Tim Molloy | February 26, 2017 @ 7:36 PM
Last Updated: February 26, 2017 @ 7:40 PM
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If you’re under, say, 25, you may not have totally understood Shirley MacLaine’s “250,000 years” Oscars joke. And that’s okay.
“That’s the nicest reception I’ve had in 250,000 years,” MacLaine says at Oscars, after being introduced by Charlize Theron.
MacLaine is a youthful 82. The joke is that MacLaine believes her soul has inhabited this earth for about that long. For years, MacLaine was known for being one of Hollywood’s biggest proponents of the concept of reincarnation — the idea that our souls inhabit many bodies over time.
“How did I know and recognize streets and temples when I first went to India? Why did I find myself speaking Portuguese when I was in Brazil?” she once wrote.
The answer, of course, is her previous lives.
Charlize Theron called MacLaine onstage to accept an award after explaining that the Oscar-winning actress was one of her greatest inspirations — especially in her 1961 film “The Apartment.”
People on social media immediately discovered — or rediscovered — the charming MacLaine, a six-time Oscar nominee who won in 1984.
More than one person called for casting Theron and MacLaine in a mother-daughter story. (Of course, MacLaine already made one of the iconic mother-daughter films in “Terms of Endearment,” the film for which she won a Best Actress Oscar.)
Some future version of MacLaine will be really excited to learn she was an Oscar winner and huge star.
Here’s an Oprah.com excerpt from MacLaine’s memoir, “I’m Over All That,” in which she explained her belief in reincarnation:
Probably one of the reasons why reincarnation makes sense to me is because I understand how each one of us is so many people. When we open up and allow our soul’s memory to emerge and express itself, we can be amazed at the talent for multiple personalities we each have. I don’t mean multiple personalities in the sense of a psychological disorder. I mean each of us has had multiple experiences in past lifetimes that equip our souls with memories and intuitions that can’t be explained any other way. How did I know and recognize streets and temples when I first went to India? Why did I find myself speaking Portuguese when I was in Brazil? Each human being can point to any number of similar experiences, specific moments that make them wonder why and how they know what they know.
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Teresa Palmer There’s way too much going on in the look from “Hacksaw Ridge” star Palmer -- unflattering pleats, a confounding fit and odd hair and makeup to boot.
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Jessica Biel Gorgeous as she is, this Kaufmanfranco gown and matching Tiffany statement necklace on Biel is a flat-out disaster.
Alicia Vikander Last year’s Best Supporting Actress winner needed a bit more support before she stepped out of the house -- black frilly lace, pearls and a curious top-knot.
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Karlie Kloss Sure, Kloss makes her living by showing up and looking gorgeous -- but this looks awfully familiar, if not identical, to Gwyneth Paltrow's Tom Ford gown in 2012.
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Dakota Johnson The "50 Shades Darker" star landed an archive Gucci gown that photographs much better than it looked live walking down the carpet -- several Wrap staffers also remarked on her lackluster hair.
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Kirsten Dunst This Dior Couture creation is both flattering and dramatic with a modern twist -- sewn-in pockets.
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Michelle Williams Williams has always had a more romantic red carpet style -- but this Louis Vuitton gown is oversimplified to a fault. As an ambassador the brand you'd think they'd put a stronger look forward.
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Halle Berry This Grecian-inspired Atelier Versace gown gives Academy Award winner Berry the goddess vibe she's worthy of -- with a wild mane to match.
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Emma Roberts Not only is this Armani collection gown a nice '30s throwback, the dress was made from entirely sustainable materials.
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Taraji P. Henson The Best Actress nominee for "Hidden Figures" is a vamp of epic proportions in this Alberta Ferretti number.
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Mahershala Ali The "Moonlight" star looked sleek in all black -- all the better to complement his Oscar gold, as Ali won Best Supporting Actor.
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Auli'i Cravalho Cravalho, the voice of Disney's "Moana," gets her real-life princess moment in this stunning pleated creation with cinched waist and full train.
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Pharrell Williams The “Hidden Figures” music mastermind never disappoints with his personal style -- and breathes some much-needed life into Oscar menswear. Only possible downside to this tricked-out tux is its designer -- Meryl Streep enemy, Chanel.
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