Welcome to Oscars night!
Here are the latest developments from the star-studded 98th Academy Awards in Hollywood.
Following the red carpet where A-listers showed off their top looks for the industry’s most glamorous night of the year, host Conan O’Brien kicked off the main event with a comedic skit highlighting the night’s top films.
Watch this space for the latest:
The night’s first musical number recreated an extraordinary scene from top nominated film “Sinners,” a montage that traces the history of Black music from West Africa to the Delta Blues to hip-hop.
The performance included stars from the vampire drama set in the segregated Deep South along with collaborators like singers Shaboozey and Brittany Howard and superstar ballerina Misty Copeland — who delivered the homage to Black excellence despite recently undergoing a hip replacement.
Her presence onstage coincidentally doubled as another poke at best actor nominee Timothee Chalamet , under fire over comments he made about opera and ballet.
Copeland said at an event recently that he “wouldn’t be an actor and have the opportunities he has as a movie star if it weren’t for opera and ballet and their relevance in that medium. So all of these mediums have a space and we shouldn’t be comparing them.”
Vogue doyenne Anna Wintour and Oscar winner Anne Hathaway gave the awards for best costume design and best makeup — both won by “Frankenstein” — delivering a humorous bit that doubled as a promo for the forthcoming “The Devil Wears Prada 2″ to be released later this year.
O’Brien used his opening monologue to take a dig at Chalamet — up for his role in the ping-pong nailbiter ” Marty Supreme .”
“Security is extremely tight tonight,” O’Brien said, in what initially appeared to refer to heightened security measures over the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.
“I’m told there’s concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities,” the comedian instead quipped, before the camera cut to Chalamet laughing.
“They’re just mad you left out jazz.”
Next to Chalamet was his partner Kylie Jenner , who opted against walking the carpet with him but appeared in a plunging, body-con halter gown in red glitter with a cutout in the shape of a key.
Amy Madigan won the night’s first prize for her role as the voodoo-wielding evil Aunt Gladys in horror hit “Weapons, a prize she accepted with a cackle of joy.
The 75-year-old said she’s been asked throughout the Oscars campaign how this year’s awards cycle has been different from her experience as a nominee four decades ago.
“What’s different is I’ve got this little gold guy!” she exclaimed, admiring her statuette.
Meanwhile Netflix’s smash hit “K-Pop Demon Hunters” meanwhile took the prize for best animated feature.
“For those of you who look like me, I’m so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie that looks like this,” Maggie Kang said onstage, drawing tears in the room. “This is for Korea, and Koreans everywhere.”
Kleber Mendonca Filho , director of “The Secret Agent” — nominated for several awards including best picture — told AFP the evening was “the conclusion of a very busy time and a lot of joy.”
Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard , also a star in “Sentimental Value,” called his turn as a famed director trying to reconnect with his estranged daughters “one of the best roles I’ve ever had.”
Jessie Buckley , the favorite to win best actress for her role in “Hamnet,” said the evening was “overwhelming.”
“You just never ever think when you’re growing up that it’s going to be a real thing,” the Irish actress said on the carpet, wearing a custom Chanel ruby and pink gown that exuded Grace Kelly.
The film centers on William Shakespeare’s wife and her experience of motherhood’s expansive love and profound pain — a role Buckley said met her as she was getting ready to become a mother.
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