The curtain has closed on another spectacular Oscars ceremony, and it’s safe to say that the 96th Academy Awards made a big bang in the Hollywood industry, sprinkled with some of the most exciting, heartfelt and wackiest moments. With Jimmy Kimmel returning as host, the show kept audiences engaged from start to finish with a blend of humour, musicals, emotional moments, and show-stopping performances.
Let’s countdown our top 5 standout moments that made the Oscars live up to its reputation, delivering a stellar evening to remember!
5. The Hilariously Hit Oscars Host!
Jimmy Kimmel, in true Jimmy Kimmel fashion, wrapped up his opening monologue with his signature blend of sass (when he jokes on Robert Downey Jr.’s druggy past), love (shout out to Greta Gerwig), binding them with a touch of humor .
But amidst the laughs, Kimmel took a heartfelt moment to acknowledge the backbone of Hollywood: the film crews. Giving a literal spotlight to the unsung heroes working behind the scenes, he applauded their resilience through tough times, declaring Hollywood as a “union town” at its core.
Bringing out Teamsters, truck drivers, and the whole crew who stood in solidarity during strikes, Kimmel’s gesture was a reminder that behind the glitz and glamour, it’s the hardworking folks behind the camera who keep the show running smoothly.
4. Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Heart-warming speech
Da’Vine Joy Randolph stole the show at the Oscars, clinching the Best Supporting Actress award for her sparkling performance in “The Holdovers.”
Randolph’s warm acceptance speech left not a single dry eye in the house. Reflecting on her journey, she credited her mother’s encouragement to pursue theater, a decision that led her to this triumphant moment.
With tears in her eyes, she thanked her early mentor, saying “When I was the only Black girl in that class, when you saw me and you told me I was enough.”
Her words expressed deep gratitude for being able to build a niche in an industry where diversity is often lacking.
With accolades from the Golden Globes, BAFTA, SAG Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and Critics Choice Awards under her belt, Randolph’s Oscar win is the culmination of a remarkable journey and a testament to her talent and perseverance.
She ended her speech with hair-raising words “For so long, I’ve always wanted to be different. Now, I realize I just needed to be myself. I thank you for seeing me.”
3. The Blast of Oppenheimer!
In a triumph that amazed and delighted audiences, “Oppenheimer” clinched the coveted title of ‘Best Picture’ at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Despite being a box-office hit and the most nominated film of the night, the win still came as a pleasant shock to viewers and the film’s creators alike.
Accepting the trophy, producer Emma Thomas expressed her disbelief, admitting that the moment had long been an unmaterialized dream. With an impressive 7 wins out of 13 nominations, including Best Director for Christopher Nolan and acting accolades for Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer” solidified its status as a cinematic masterpiece.
Despite Al Pacino skipping the nominee introductions with fanfare and hype, his abrupt announcement of “my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer’. Nonetheless, it added a touch of confusion to the situation, maintaining the thrill and unpredictableness of live television.
2. John Cena arrives ‘Nude?’
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John Cena stirred up quite the buzz at the Oscars with his unexpected appearance on stage, albeit in a rather eccentric fashion.
The former wrestler-turned-actor was rumored to recreate the infamous 1974 Oscars streaking incident but seemingly had a change of heart. Instead, Cena made his entrance nude, save for a strategically placed Oscar-winning envelope.
While the stunt elicited laughter from the audience, Cena quickly dispelled any notions of impropriety, emphasizing the dignity of the event.
As he covered his modesty with the oversized envelope, Cena’s humor shone through, culminating in the announcement of the Best Costume Design winner, Holly Waddington for “Poor Things.”
With Cena’s unexpected cameo, the Oscars witnessed a moment of hilarity and sophistication intertwined, leaving audiences both amused and entertained.
1. Ryan Gosling’s show-stopping Oscars performance
Gosling brought the stage to life with his rendition of the Barbie song “I’m Just Ken.” As he sang the opening lyrics, “Doesn’t seem to matter what I do, I’m always Number Two,” the audience was treated to a spectacle of pink and whimsy.
Gosling’s performance featured dancing cowboys, karate-chopped wood blocks, spinning Barbie faces, and even a surprise appearance by Guns N’ Roses’ guitarist Slash?, creating a kaleidoscopic explosion of ‘KEN-ergy’.
Joined by his fellow “Kens” from Greta Gerwig’s film, Gosling had the crowd singing along and even garnered support from fellow actor Emma Stone.
This banger of a performance made Billie Eilish, covered her mouth to conceal a laugh, while Margot Robbie expressed her overt amusement. This performance will be remembered as an epic moment in Oscar history
As the lights dimmed and the stars bid farewell to the stage, the 2024 Oscars ended with wondrous memories that will linger and cherished around the world. From unforgettable performances to inspiring speeches, the night celebrated the magic of cinema and reminded us of the power of storytelling to unite and inspire.
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