In a recent revelation, acclaimed actor Leonardo DiCaprio shared his thoughts on a significant oversight in the 2026 Oscar nominations, specifically addressing the absence of his co-star, Chase Infiniti, from the prestigious list. Despite receiving his own eighth Academy Award nomination, DiCaprio underscored Infiniti's profound impact on their latest film, 'One Battle After Another', portraying her performance as indispensable to the movie's essence. His comments shed light on the emotional depth and critical role Infiniti played, especially as a newcomer handling such a challenging part.
DiCaprio Champions Co-Star Following Oscar Nomination Disappointment
On January 24, 2026, during an interview with The Associated Press, following the announcement of the Academy Award nominations, Leonardo DiCaprio publicly expressed his strong feelings regarding Chase Infiniti's unexpected snub. The two actors had recently collaborated on Paul Thomas Anderson's critically acclaimed film, 'One Battle After Another'. DiCaprio, a veteran with a 2016 Best Actor Oscar win for 'The Revenant' and now an eight-time nominee himself, articulated his disappointment over Infiniti's exclusion from the Best Actress category.
DiCaprio passionately stated, "She was the very fabric of this motion picture. Truly, she embodied its heart and soul. 'One Battle After Another' simply would not exist in its current form without her compelling portrayal." He lauded Infiniti's remarkable composure and positive outlook despite the setback, noting her impressive debut. "For a young actress, undertaking such a demanding role as her first major film and shouldering the entire emotional narrative was an almost impossible feat," DiCaprio added, expressing collective pride in her achievement.
The film, 'One Battle After Another', garnered considerable recognition, securing a total of 13 nominations, including nods for Best Lead Actor (DiCaprio), Best Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro), Best Director (Anderson), and the coveted Best Picture. However, Infiniti, whose performance was widely anticipated to earn a Best Actress nomination, was notably absent from a category that eventually recognized Jessie Buckley for 'Hamnet', Rose Byrne for 'If I Had Legs I’d Kick You', Kate Hudson for 'Song Sung Blue', Renate Reinsve for 'Sentimental Value', and Emma Stone for 'Bugonia'. This year's nominations also saw other unexpected exclusions, as highlighted by The Hollywood Reporter, including Paul Mescal, Jesse Plemons, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, Tonatiuh, Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, William H. Macy, and Kerry Condon across various acting categories.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the often subjective and sometimes unpredictable nature of awards season. It highlights the immense talent and dedication required in the film industry, often going unrewarded despite critical acclaim from peers. DiCaprio's vocal support for his co-star not only sheds light on Infiniti's powerful performance but also underscores a solidarity within the acting community, advocating for recognition where it is believed to be due.