The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, defied expectations and delivered a surprisingly successful ceremony. The event commenced with a Wizard of Oz-inspired tribute to a fire-ravaged Los Angeles, featuring an impressive vocal medley by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
O’Brien showcased his hosting prowess, deftly navigating the numerous scandals that plagued this awards season. He humorously addressed the Catholic thriller Conclave’s parallels to the Pope’s current medical crisis and referenced Emilia Pérez actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s racist tweet controversy. Noting that Anora used the f-word 479 times—just three more than Gascón’s publicist—O’Brien quipped directly to the actress, advising her that if she chose to tweet about him, “Remember, my name is Jimmy Kimmel.”
Anora, an indie film directed by Sean Baker, emerged as the night’s big winner, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Mikey Madison, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. The film’s success is notable, as it is one of the lowest-grossing Best Picture winners in recent history.
Despite leading with 13 nominations, Emilia Pérez concluded the night with only two awards, tying the record for the most losses in the ceremony’s history. However, Zoe Saldaña’s Best Supporting Actress win for her role in Emilia Pérez was a historic moment, as she became the first American of Dominican origin to receive an Academy Award.
Adrien Brody earned his second Oscar for Best Actor with his portrayal of a Holocaust survivor and architect in The Brutalist. In his acceptance speech, Brody addressed issues of racism, antisemitism, and “othering,” urging society to “fight for what’s right” and “rebuild together.”
The ceremony also celebrated several firsts: Latvia’s Flow won Best Animated Feature, marking the country’s inaugural Oscar win, and Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to receive the Costume Design Oscar for his work on Wicked.
Kieran Culkin secured his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in A Real Pain. During his speech, he humorously reminded his wife of her promise to have a fourth child if he won an Oscar, playfully stating, “Let’s get cracking on those kids, what do you say?”
Overall, the 97th Academy Awards highlighted a diverse range of talents and achievements, marking a memorable night in Hollywood.
Source: Swifteradio.com
