Sheryl Lee Ralph Says ‘Fastest Way to Oscar Is On the Pole After 'Anora' Win

Television and stage veteran Sheryl Lee Ralph has seemingly called out Oscar voters for awarding performances that include nudity and sex scenes.

At the Vanity Fair Oscars Party on Sunday, Ralph expressed disappointment that Cynthia Erivo did not win an Academy Award for her role in Wicked.

“I was disappointed that Wicked didn’t get more [awards],” Ralph, 68, said during an interview with “On the Red Carpet.”

Erivo was nominated in the best actress category and faced Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez; Demi Moore for The Substance; Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here; and Mikey Madison for Anora.

Moore and Torres were the favorites to win after taking home some of the other big awards this season.

Instead, Mikey Madison, 25, won the Oscar for her performance as a Brooklyn stripper who dazzles a Russian oligarch’s son after a private dance. Anora also won the Oscars for best director, best original screenplay, best film editing, and best picture.

Ralph suggested Erivo might have taken home a trophy if she had stripped on screen.

“I have told people over and over and over again, the fastest way to an Oscar is either on a pole or have [your breasts out]… I’m telling you, sex sells baby, sex sells,” the Abbott Elementary star said.

Her comments surprised the interviewer, who responded, “I did not expect that.”

“I have told people over and over and over again: The fastest way to an Oscar is either on a pole or….I’m telling you, sex sells baby.” – Sheryl Lee Ralph pic.twitter.com/cL6SfD1aEt

— viva verdi! (@verderebb) March 3, 2025

Despite her disappointment over Erivo not winning, Ralph said she was thrilled about Paul Tazewell’s victory on Sunday night.

The Wicked costume designer made history as the first Black man to win an Academy Award for costume design, as previously reported.

Sheryl Lee Ralph knows a thing or two about award-winning performances. She’s taken home an Emmy, Critics Choice, and Independent Spirit Award, according to her bio on the Television Academy website.

She was also nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (1981), and has earned multiple NAACP Image Award nominations.

The image below is of Oscar winner Mikey Madison in Anora.