Michael Shannon says the Oscars is nothing more than the world's most exclusive "prom" now.
Michael Shannon
The 41-year-old actor believes Hollywood and the movie-making business is more obsessed with beauty now that at any other time in history.
And the annual Academy Awards epitomises that trend with fashion designers and jewellery makers all clamouring to dress the stars for the big party.
In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, he said: "Filmmaking is a visual medium. It's motion pictures. So basically you're just a model that talks. Look at any actor nowadays - they're just models. Going to the Oscars is like going to the prom. Everybody dressed up. It used to be that when you went to the Oscars, you'd pick up something nice from the mall. Now it's this big hoo-ha. It's off the f***ing rails. Even with me, when I do some press conference, some designer will say they want to put their suit on me. Put their suit on me! I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be hearing that phrase."
Shannon admits the Hollywood lifestyle is a world away from his humble beginnings growing up in Lexington, Kentucky.
And even though he has been an A-lister for some time now, he will never take his good fortune for granted.
The 'Midnight Special' star explained: "I can't begin to explain (my career). Free drinks on the plane. Life of Riley. I'm from Kentucky and when I was a kid I'd go out in the backyard and there was a creek at the end. I'd stand waist-deep in the creek and catch crawdads with my hands. And now look at me. Look at how crazy life is. I'm drinking bottles of perfectly still water inside a five-star London hotel."
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