Emma Stone did not hesitate to let her true feelings out when she attended the Palm Springs Film Awards on Thursday, January 4. After receiving the Desert Palm Achievement Award for Best Actress for her performance in Poor Things, Stone took the stage to reflect on her time in the entertainment industry. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she said, "I'm grateful to be able to keep trying new things and to be given the opportunity to make choices about my work." [Because] when I first moved to L.A., I attended the occasional general meeting. One executive said that for male actors it was a marathon, not a sprint, and that in his eyes it was a sprint, not a marathon, for women."

The actress continued that she took that so-called "advice" 20 years ago, but has since "realized" that it was "utter garbage." She added, to applause from the audience, "Most of the women I admire in this industry, many of whom are in this audience, have proven that life and work become more interesting and fulfilling as time goes on." Stone also said that her role in "Poor Things" gave her the opportunity to play a woman "immune to external expectations and immune to judgment and shame."

"Playing Bella was challenging because I had to try to relearn those aspects of myself, and it was also an absolute joy to play her," she continued. Stone said, referring to the film's director, Yorgos Lanthimos, "Making this film was the highlight of my life, mainly because of my true creative soulmate."

At the end of his moving speech, Stone told the crowd, "I hope that the chance to swing, to try new things, to continue this marathon, will continue for many years to come."