The Messenger

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Independent Spirit Awards 2010

Gabourey Sidibe: From $2 a Day to Independent Spirit Awards Win

Originally posted 03/06/2010 01:30AM

Who knew how far $2 could go? Gabourey Sidibe's mom, who used to pay her daughter that amount each day to attend school, does now.

"I saved up my money for a week so I could see Welcome to the Dollhouse," Sidibe, the Independent Spirit Awards' best female lead winner, said in her beaming acceptance speech Friday night. She excitedly explained that it was the first film that made her think: "I could do that." A notion that gave birth to her own independent spirit and an Oscar-nominated performance in her first film, Precious.

Her costar Mo'Nique credited their "low-budget, independent film's" leaders for teaching her how to bring her A-game and score yet another trophy this awards season for best supporting female.

But it wasn't all about the best feature film of the year, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire. Crazy Heart star Jeff Bridges continued his winning streak for best male lead, exclaiming to his wife that his Spirit award trophy would "really tie the room together!" He explained to PEOPLE after that it was his "little nod to The Dude."

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Filed Under: Independent Spirit Awards 2010, Movies, Individual Class, Gabourey Sidibe, Jeff Daniels, Mo'Nique

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Oscars 2010

Woody's Mom Finally Approves!

Originally posted 02/23/2010 11:55AM

However the Academy rates his work in The Messenger, Woody Harrelson has already earned one very special endorsement: that of his mother Diane.

In an interview set to air Wednesday, Harrelson, 48, tells Ellen DeGeneres that his mom was thrilled that he received a Best Supporting Actor nomination this year.

"I got a note from my mom, and she said, 'You finally arrived. You've been nominated in the same category with Christopher Plummer,' " Harrelson says on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "So, I got my mom's approval, which is enough, you know what I mean? I don't need a statue."