Andrew Lloyd Webber has described Jessie Buckley as 'very special' after the actress won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Hamnet. The composer reached out to congratulate her, despite her recent criticism of his reality competition show I'd Do Anything, which she appeared on in 2008.
In a video posted to Instagram, Lloyd Webber said he was 'absolutely thrilled' by her win. He recalled a performance of 'The Man That Got Away' from the show, saying: 'That was the moment I think I knew anyway and I think that everybody else did that this was a very, very special girl and she was going to be a huge star.'
Buckley, 34, finished second on I'd Do Anything, which sought a Nancy for a West End production of Oliver!. She recently told Vogue that the show subjected her to 'unfair objectification' and that she hoped no young woman would 'be brutalised quite like what happened on that show'.
Other contestants from the programme also celebrated her Oscar win. Rachel Tucker, who came fourth, said she 'couldn't be prouder', while Katie Hall, who briefly appeared, called Buckley 'our incredible original Sally', referencing her role in Cabaret.
Buckley is the first Irish-born star to win the Best Actress Oscar. Lloyd Webber added: 'She hasn't just won the Oscar, she won everything.'
