Da’Vine Joy Randolph Says She Plans to ‘Stay Present’ and ‘Hydrated’ Ahead of the 2024 Oscars (Exclusive)

The star is nominated for Best Supporting Actress at this year's ceremony

Da’Vine Joy Randolph is detailing her day-to-day ahead of one of the biggest nights of her career.

In an exclusive interview for PEOPLE's annual Oscar portfolio, the actress, 37, opens up about her regimen before the 2024 Academy Awards, for which she is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her acclaimed performance in The Holdovers.

"It really comes down to self-care. It's a marathon these six months. It's surreal," Randolph says. "I feel like I'm in the Navy or the Marines. I've never experienced anything [like this]."

Highlighting how she is now in "unknown territory," the star adds: "Everyone is just saying pace yourself, try to stay as present as possible, stay hydrated and take good care of yourself because it's a marathon."

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Related: Everything to Know About Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Oscar Nominee Sweeping Awards Season

In The Holdovers, Randolph stars as Mary Lamb, a grieving mother and school cook staying at a New England boarding school over the 1970 Christmas holidays.

She has already nabbed multiple accolades for the role, including at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards in January.

Other nominees in the Best Supporting Actress category at this year's Oscars include Emily Blunt for Oppenheimer, Danielle Brooks for The Color Purple, America Ferrera for Barbie and Jodie Foster for Nyad.

The Holdovers, meanwhile, has earned a total of five nominations, including Best Picture.

Related: How to Watch the Oscars 2024 Best Picture Nominees, Including Where to Stream

Speaking candidly about her own Oscar nomination, Randolph tells PEOPLE, "I'm mind blown."

"I haven't fully processed it, but it was overwhelming in the best way possible," she continues of when she learned of her nod. "And to feel all of the love and the support has been so tremendous."

"I think it's just a beautiful reminder. It's bigger than us. What we do actually really matters, it helps people and it makes people happy or feel seen or heard," Randolph adds. "That's why I do what I do."

The 96th Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will air live on Sunday, March 10, from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

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