Brie Larson took on her role in 'Room' to "honour" her mother.
The 26-year-old actress found making the movie - which is about a woman and her child who are held captive - gave her a better appreciation and understanding of single parents.
Speaking on the red carpet at last night's (28.02.16) Academy Awards, where she picked up the Best Actress in a Leading Role prize, she said: "I grew up with a single mom in a small apartment, and I realise this was a way to [honour] my mother.
"There's so many things you can't possibly understand."
Despite her awards success, Brie admitted backstage her career path hadn't always run smoothly because of the sexism she has faced.
She recalled: "There were many times that I would go into auditions and the casting directors would say, 'It's really great, we love what you're doing but we'd really love for you to come back in a jean miniskirt and high heels.
"Those were always a fork in the road because there's no reason for me to show up in a jean miniskirt and high heels other than the fact that you want to create this fantasy, that you can reject.
"I personally always rejected that moment, I tried maybe once and it always made me feel terrible."
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