Oscar Nominee Delroy Lindo Schools Influencer Interviewer Who Called Him an 'Emerging Artist'

Veteran actor Delroy Lindo didn’t let a surprising interview moment go unchallenged after an influencer mistakenly referred to him as an “emerging artist” — and his response is winning praise online. The exchange happened during a pre‑Oscars interview, when Lindo, who just earned his first Academy Award nomination for his role in Sinners, was asked about industry recognition.

via: EW

Delroy Lindo might have just received his first Oscar nomination, for Sinners, but he's no up-and-comer.

An interviewer called the veteran actor an "emerging artist," referring to his recent movies such as the Michael B. Jordan horror movie and Spike Lee's 2020 title, Da 5 Bloods, only to be corrected by Lindo in a video the other party shared online.

Obviously recorded before the official nominations were announced yesterday, the clip showed Lindo being asked what recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would mean to him.

"Nothing," Lindo answered, as he mimed zipping his lips. "I'm not talking about that."

His efforts to avoid cursing himself obviously worked.

"I'm also not an emerging artist," Lindo said. "I've been around for a few years. So."

The actor broke into a laugh after the interview said, "Absolutely. Sorry about that."

The questioner posted the footage alongside a congratulatory message for Lindo and a line that he'd made a "rookie mistake."

In fact, the 73-year-old actor first popped up in TV shows and movies in the late 1970s, on the serial version of Beauty and the Beast and the movie sequel More American Graffiti, later playing parts in notable films such 1994's Crooklyn and 1999's The Cider House Rules.

He told Entertainment Weekly in April that he "tried not to buy into" the hype when he was suggested as a nominee for parts in Malcolm X (1992) and Da 5 Bloods.

"I was profoundly disappointed, frankly," Lindo told EW of not being named among the nominees for the latter.

Lindo recalled that Lee called him after the nominations were announced, and they "commiserated."

He added, "I think I've done enough. I've done a wide range of work as an actor."

Lindo wasn't the only one recognized for his work on the Ryan Coogler-directed film.

Sinners broke the record for the most nominations received by one film, earning a total of 16. It bested other crowd pleasers such as All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land.

The Oscars 2026 will be handed out March 15 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC.