Hollywood South showed off it’s major muscles with two films shot in Louisiana:  “12 Years a Slave” and “Dallas Buyer’s Club”.

“12 Years a Slave, which was primarily shot in Vacherie, took home 3 Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for newcomer, Lupita Nyong’o.

News with a Twist interviewed Nyong’o back in October at the Civic Theater fore the red-carpet premiere of “12 Years a Slave”.

“I knew we were embarking on something monumental, meaningful, and powerful.  The role chose me, more than I chose the role.  I just graduated from school and was looking for work,” the Oscar-winning actress, said.

Filming in Hollywood South was a dream come true for Nyong’o.

“I love New Orleans.  I love the music, the food, and the people,”  she said.

The Oscar for Best Supporting Actor went to Jared Leto for “Dallas Buyer’s Club”.  Not only did they film “Dallas Buyer’s club in New Orleans, but Leto’s a Louisiana native hailing from Bossier City.  In his acceptance speech he gave a shout-out to his hometown and his single mother.

“Dallas Buyer’s Club” was well-represented at the Academy Awards with Matthew McConaughey bringing home the gold for Best Actor.  Local make-up artist, Robin Mathews won the Oscar for Best Make-up/Hairstyling.

Mathews graduated from Mt. Carmel Academy in 1990.

In her acceptance speech, she said, “I want to thank Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey for letting us do a million, billion make-up and hair changes a day.”

And we can’t forget Oscar host, Ellen DeGeneres, she’s a New Orleans native.