During last night’s Critics Choice Awards ceremony, Best Actress recipient Cate Blanchett discussed the arbitrary nature of awards during her speech. Blanchett earned the coveted honor for her portrayal of Lydia Tár in Tár. Directed by Todd Fields, the psychological drama tells the story of Blanchett’s character, a fictional successful orchestra conductor, whose life begins to unravel as sexual misconduct allegations against her come to light. Last Tuesday, Blanchett was given the Best Actress in Motion Picture Drama award at the Golden Globes. She was not present at that ceremony.

During last night’s speech, Blanchett spoke out about the structure of awards shows before commending women in the industry. She said:

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Blanchett’s fellow nominees included Viola Davis (The Woman King), Danielle Deadwyler (Till), Margot Robbie (Babylon), Michelle Williams (the Fabelmans), and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once).

“This Best Actress, I mean it is extremely arbitrary considering how many extraordinary performances there have been by women not only in this room…I can’t believe I’m up here. This is ridiculous. I’m so old!” She added: “I would love it if we would just change this whole f***ing structure. It’s like what is this patriarchal pyramid where someone stands up here. Why don’t we just say there was a whole raft of female performances that are in concert and in dialogue with one another? [We should] stop the televised horse race of it all because can I tell you every single woman – whether television, film, advertising, tampon commercials, whatever – you’re all out there doing amazing work that is inspiring me continually. Thank you I share this with you all.”

Will Cate Blanchett Win an Academy Award for Tár?

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For her portrayal of Lydia Tár, Blanchett is also nominated for an Academy Award (along with Michelle Yeoh, Ana de Armas, Danielle Deadwyler and Viola Davis). There is plenty of speculation that Blanchett will take home the Oscar on March 12th, which would become her third Academy Award win for Best Actress.

Blanchett is one of the most respected actresses of her generation. She rose to international fame after her appearance in 1998’ Elizabeth. The film earned Blanchett her first Oscar nomination and Golden Globe and BAFTA honors. Throughout her illustrious career, Blanchett earned Academy Awards for Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator and Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine. Blanchett’s other notable credits include Notes on a Scandal, Carol and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

While Tár and Blanchett’s performance have received heaps of praise, not everyone is a fan. Renowned conductor Marin Alsop criticized the film, labeling it “anti-woman.” In an interview with BBC Radio 4, Blanchett addressed Alsop’s comments by saying that Tár is “a meditation on power, and power is genderless,” and reminding listeners that Lydia Tár is a completely fictional character.