Critic's Choice Awards 2009

Credit: Francis Specker/Landov

Critics: Anne Hathaway Ties with Idol Meryl Streep

Originally posted 01/09/2009 09:35AM

Slumdog Millionaire cleaned up at this year's Critics' Choice Awards, but it was Anne Hathaway who got twice the thrill by tying for best actress with one of her all-time role models.

"Meryl [Streep] is my idol," Hathaway – winner for her role in Rachel Getting Married – said backstage at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Thursday night. "To win with my idol who I was nominated against is amazing. I'm so thrilled for her and I'm very thrilled for myself, too." Streep shared the best-actress win for her work as a nun in Doubt.

Hathaway told PEOPLE it is "overwhelming" to be recognized by critics and peers with so many nominations this awards season – accolades she expected it would take much longer to rack up.

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