As the campaign season for the 2026 Oscars gains momentum, actors and filmmakers strive to stand out amid limited opportunities to gather momentum from major festival wins. Emma Stone has embraced this challenge with a striking move tied to her latest role, demonstrating a serious Emma Stone Oscars Bid. On October 20, at the Culver Theater in Los Angeles, an early screening of Bugonia featured an audience encouraged to shave their heads or wear bald caps, paralleling a dramatic transformation Stone underwent for the film.
Stone’s decision to go fully bald aligns with her character’s story—a female corporate executive whose head is shaved by kidnappers suspecting her of being an alien. This level of commitment, first noticed when photos from last year’s New York Film Festival sparked debate over whether she wore a wig, now plays a central role in the film’s marketing strategy. By highlighting Stone’s bold stunt, the campaign aims not just to gain attention, but to solidify her standing as a leading contender for the upcoming awards.
Emma Stone’s Oscar History Positions Her as a Strong Favorite
Emma Stone’s track record at the Academy Awards includes five nominations, with notable achievements in Best Actress and a producing nod for Poor Things. Her wins in the Best Actress category—first for La La Land in 2017 and again for Poor Things in 2024—show a proven ability to captivate voters in this demanding field. Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who has guided Stone to two of her acting nominations, looks set to continue this successful partnership.
Critical responses from the Venice Film Festival have particularly praised Stone’s performance in Bugonia, adding further weight to her Oscar prospects. Unless the film is rejected by voters, which is unlikely given its early acclaim, Stone is almost certain to earn another nomination. This year’s campaign, highlighted by the bold bald screening event, reflects a competitive and determined approach that underscores Stone’s desire not just to participate but to win again.
Unlike some past nominees who may focus efforts on supporting co-stars, Stone’s current strategy reveals a focus on showcasing the depth of her role preparation. This move ensures that conversation around the Oscars will keep circling back to her, amplifying her presence at a critical moment in the awards season.
Winning a Third Best Actress Oscar Would Cement Stone’s Place in Cinematic History
Should Emma Stone secure a third Best Actress win, her legacy would enter an elite space occupied by only a few in Oscar history. With two wins already, she ranks among a select group of actresses who have won multiple times. Adding a third Oscar would place her alongside Frances McDormand as the second-most awarded in this category, trailing only Katharine Hepburn, who holds four trophies.
At just 37 years old, Stone would become the youngest actress in decades to achieve this milestone, setting a new standard for success at a relatively early age. This achievement would elevate her in stature among acting legends and broaden her influence within the industry as a symbol of dedication and talent.
The competition in the Best Actress category is expected to be intense, with Jessie Buckley of Hamnet currently viewed by many as a leading contender. However, Stone’s readiness to push boundaries and visibly demonstrate her commitment suggests she intends to fiercely defend her place at the top, offering no indication she will step aside quietly for other nominees.
Details on Bugonia and Its Cast
Bugonia centers on a female corporate executive named Michelle, played by Emma Stone, whose harrowing experience includes having her head shaved by kidnappers convinced she is an extraterrestrial. Alongside Stone, the cast features Jesse Plemons in the role of Teddy. The film explores themes of identity and captivity under the direction of Yorgos Lanthimos, known for his unique storytelling style and previous collaborations with Stone.
This film marks another pivotal moment in Emma Stone’s career, blending challenging performance with strategic campaign efforts to strongly position her for Oscar attention. The bold marketing tactic of the bald screening underscores the lengths she and the team are willing to go to make an unforgettable impression on voters and audiences alike.
People getting their heads shaved at the free bald screening of ‘BUGONIA’. pic.twitter.com/7VOzpYseqB
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 21, 2025
