Inside the ‘Oscars 2025 race’ you didn’t even know was happening

The Oscars 2025 race is well underway and there is one clear frontrunner in the race we simply can’t ignore – Paloma Diamond.

Depending on how chronically online you are, you either just let out a knowing laugh, creased your brow at the ring of familiarity, or are wondering who on earth this popular Hollywood star is.

Well, worry not, for we’re about to clear up all your questions.

Yes, Paloma Diamond is a beloved actor nominated for ‘The Oscars’ this year. No, she is not real.

Forget the tight race between The Substance’s Demi Moore and I’m Still Here’s Fernanda Torres for the golden statuette – over on social media there is an even crazier awards season taking off.

Paloma is a viral fictional character originally made by New Zealand TikTok creator Julian Sewell in 2023 as part of a parody video poking harmless fun at the predictable slate of edgy movies nominated for the Oscars every year.

Thus our silver-wigged Paloma – nominated for her astounding (fake) turn in The Remedy in 2023 – was born.

The original video has 3.6million likes and soon enough Paloma – who has ‘been nominated’ for an Academy Award 18 times – started amassing a devoted following, with various other fictional stars populating her world such as her arch-nemesis Lorelai Lynch.

Julian has even recreated the awards press circuit like Variety Actors on Actors, Vogue’s 73 Questions and Architectural Digest’s Celebrity Homes.

His satirical Hollywood videos even reference real-life moments like the 2023 fake best actress announcement that recreated the notorious 2017 best picture blunder between La La Land and Moonlight.

The two-year-long joke has created such extensive lore (we’re talking a two-season fake 1980s soap opera via the medium of TikTok videos with a ‘young Paloma Diamond’ in and a profile interview in Vulture) that the whole internet is now fully on board.

Either people have started questioning whether she actually is real or providing lengthy analysis videos on who should win and why. Seriously, there are 11,000 videos under #PalomaDiamond.

And plenty have joined in on the fun whether creating their own pretend interviews or expanding the world like TikToker Nicholas Flannery casting himself as Paloma’s old makeup artist.

And so we have the 2025 Oscars race with Paloma nominated for Bluff, Felicity Carmichael for Gifted Grace, Jane Farroway for The Face in the Mirror in the Back of the Room, Yolanda Fontaine for No Vacancy and Jane Sheridan for Funny Lady.

All with their own bespoke movie posters.

Some believe Paloma – reminiscent of real Hollywood stars like Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren – is ‘well overdue’ for the accolade even if Bluff isn’t her best work, while others believe Yolanda’s horror performance could be the surprise breakthrough of the year.

The comments are filled with fierce debate and speculation with many just as excited to hear the outcome of this imaginary contest as the real deal in March.

And Julian – known for a wide range of character skits – has fully embraced the silliness of the situation, and the protectiveness of fans over their favourite online character.

‘I reckon Paloma would be a great Oppenheimer. I can just see it now, her silky grey bob blowing from the blast of an atomic bomb. And she’d get real method with it and probably sever a limb in the process, adding to the realism,’ he posed to Interview magazine.

And, on why it has become such a mammoth cultural phenomenon, added to Today.com: ‘It’s an outlet for (fans) to express their own creativity, these random people on the internet.

‘I think that’s part of the reason why people latch on to the universe because it’s fun and it’s silly. And it’s not supposed to be taken too seriously – although in saying that, people do take it seriously, so it kind of goes both ways.’

So for those wondering why on earth their TikTok For You page has suddenly been flooded with Paloma Diamond content now you know.

And if this is your first time hearing about her, then this is your sign to fall into the rabbit hole and come out a Paloma stan.

Just make sure you catch up before the grand winner reveal.

Inside the ‘Oscars 2025 race’ you didn’t even know was happening