Keira Knightley reflects on 2006 Oscar nomination

Keira Knightley has opened up about her 'confusion' over her 2006 Oscar nomination.

The Hollywood actress earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress for playing Pride & Prejudice's Elizabeth Bennet at age 20, reportedly becoming the third youngest nominee.

While chatting with Vanity Fair, she candidly talked about her thoughts on being nominated for a 2006 Oscar nomination.

Referring to her 2005 historical romantic movie, Knightley began, "Yes, it was pretty big for my career. If people will come up to me, it’ll be about that one.”

Recalling the criticism she faced for her performance in 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, she noted, "Pirates of the Caribbean had already come out, but I think in the public consciousness, I was seen as a terrible actress."

"But I had this phenomenally big success with Pirates. And I think this was the first one that was a phenomenally big success, but was also critically acclaimed."

"So I remember it coming out maybe the same year, maybe around the same time as Pirates 2. And I got the worst reviews ever for that, and then also being nominated for an Oscar at the same time—it was, in my 21-year-old head, quite confusing," Keira added before exiting the chat.

Pride & Prejudice was re-released, as part of its 20th anniversary celebration, in cinemas on April 20, 2025.