Jessica Chastain took home the award for the actress who played the leading role for Tammy Faye’s Eyes at the SAG 2022 Awards Ceremony on Sunday.
Actress nominated alongside Olivia Colman (Daughter passed away), Lady Gaga (Gucci House)Jennifer Hudson (Respect) and Nicole Kidman (Being a Ricardian).
“I was completely stunned,” the actress said quickly as she stepped onto the stage.
After thanking the film’s cast, whom Chastain describes as “the best cast possible,” she shared her thoughts on portraying missionary Tammy Faye Bakker in the film.
“To play the role of Tammy Faye is a dream of mine. She is a true pioneer and she has put her arms around people who have been repeatedly cast aside and she has been immersed in the love of LGBTQ over the decades,” said Chastain. “I worked on the project for 10 years and I hope we made her story in a way she would be proud of.”
Chastain also offers words of encouragement to aspiring actors.
“There have been years of studying and auditioning and not getting a job and I know what that feels like and I know how lonely it feels. And so for those of you who are struggling and feeling invisible, I just want you to know to move on because you have one more job, I promise. And what keeps me really going is you, everyone in this room, it’s this community, and I love my art family.”
Chastain also expressed his thoughts to Ukraine: “And my heart is with our international family all over the world right now, who are fighting for their safety and freedom and I love you all so much.”
Backstage, Chastain admitted to being “really shocked” and “very emotional” with his SAG win. “I’m just really happy. I had to put this movie together and I’ve been working on it for 10 years and I’ll tell you that it’s been an absolute pleasure to study a character like Tammy Faye. I love her and I wish I could have met her but it’s been a work of love for me and it’s amazing to play a woman who believes in unconditional love and I’m so excited to be brought in. that out into the world right now. ”
Chastain went on to praise Faye Bakker as an “unconditional lover”, “love without judgment” and a “ her arms around people who feel like they’re outcasts and excluded from society. ” “ONEAnd I want to celebrate that. I love celebrating passionate love, acts of kindness and radical love, and bringing such a film into a world of honor that I hope will inspire others to live it.” she said.
The actress’ SAG win preceded Chastain’s Academy Award nomination for best actress for the role.
Tammy Faye’s Eyes Directed by Michael Showalter and written by Abe Sylvia.
The 28th Annual SAG Awards are televised live on TNT and TBS from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. For the first time, the show will be available the next day on HBO Max.
