Olivia Colman had one of the most memorable speeches of the 2019 Oscars, but the best actress winner winged it -- because she had no idea she would actually win.
"I was pretty sure it wouldn’t be me," "The Favourite" star told "Good Morning America" co-anchor Lara Spencer backstage after her win. "I would have put money on Glenn [Close]."
Colman took a moment in her speech to acknowledge Close. "The Wife" star has been nominated for an Oscar seven times and has yet to win.
"Because it should have been her," Colman said of why she chose to honor Close.
JUST IN: Olivia Colman wins the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. #Oscars https://t.co/XQU450bcno pic.twitter.com/OtgCoHq07A
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
(MORE: Oscars 2019: 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' 'Green Book' lead the way with multiple awards)
Colman, who portrayed Queen Anne in "The Favourite," also called out her co-stars, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, in her acceptance speech.
Olivia Colman gives an acceptance speech by turns heartfelt, hysterical, genuine, and inspiring.
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
"Any little girl who's practicing her speech on the tele—you never know!" https://t.co/XQU450bcno pic.twitter.com/w7TXOkUdNT
She told Spencer that working on "The Favourite" with those two actresses was "the most amazing job."
Olivia Colman backstage with @LaraSpencer on her #Oscars win, “I kind of feel like I want to have a little lie down and a cup of tea.” https://t.co/AMJGyriuEG pic.twitter.com/7vDrdtfZIq
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
"I was excited to wake up at four in the morning every day going to work, to work with those lovely people, amazing script, just a dream," she said. "That can empower you to not feel any embarrassment, to just do it."
Colman portrays another royal, Queen Elizabeth II, in "The Crown," taking over the role from Claire Foy in seasons three and four of the hit Netflix series about the British royal family.
Colman said there is no comparison between the two monarchs, but Queen Elizabeth II is "much harder to play."
Congratulations to Olivia Colman for winning Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work in @the_favourite! #Oscars https://t.co/TLYl9ttHkN pic.twitter.com/7l5Gm68oA4
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
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"I think there’s no rules with Queen Anne because no one can say she didn’t sound like that," Colman said of the monarch, who died in the early 1700s.
Colman's fellow best actress nominee Melissa McCarthy earned a thumbs-up review from Colman for her play on "The Favourite" during the Oscars. McCarthy presented an award covered in bunnies, which play a role in the film.
Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry announce the award for Best Costume Design in some costumes of their own. #Oscars https://t.co/XQU450bcno pic.twitter.com/eUNabBP37d
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
"I thought that was hilarious, trying to open the envelope," Colman said. "She was brilliant."
