Adrien Brody Divides the Internet With Gum Toss to Georgina Chapman After Winning Best Actor Oscar

Brutalist star Adrien Brody found himself in a rather sticky situation as he went up to accept his Best Actor Oscar at Sunday night’s Academy Awards.

The actor was stunned as he was announced the winner, beating out Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), and Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice) for the coveted award.

But as he approached the waiting Cillian Murphy to accept the statue, Brody suddenly froze as he realized he was still chewing his gum.

That was when his partner, fashion designer Georgina Chapman, sprung up, trying to catch Brody’s gum as he tossed it over to her.

Chapman, who was married to disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein until 2021, then returned to her seat as Brody’s acceptance speech began.

Now, the only “brutalists” are the internet commenters slamming Brody for a “disgusting” act.

Freeman Praises Gene Hackman, Goldberg and Winfrey Give Love to Quincy Jones in Oscars Tributes

In a late addition to the ceremony, Morgan Freeman praised the two-time Oscar winner and his two-time co-star Hackman, five days after the actor and his wife were found dead in their New Mexico.

“This week our community lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” a solemn Freeman said. “He received two Oscars and more importantly he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world.”

Freeman concluded, “Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.’ So I think I speak for us all when I say Gene, you will be remembered for that and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Freeman and Hackman co-starred in 2000’s “Under Suspicion” and in the 1992 Clint Eastwood Western “Unforgiven” — the movie that earned Hackman his second Oscar. He won his first for 1971’s “The French Connection.”

The 95-year-old Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were found dead at their home in Santa Fe on Wednesday. The cause remains under investigation.

The tone was very different as Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg introduced a musical tribute to Jones, who died Nov. 3 at age 91.

“When one hears the name Quincy Jones, one’s first thought is musical genius,” Winfrey said. “But the man, our beloved Q, had an equally profound impact on the world of film, as a composer and producer.”

Goldberg added, “When we talk about black excellence, we’re talking about Quincy.”

They then introduced Queen Latifah, who gave a spirited gospel-style rave-up of “Ease on Down the Road,” a song from “The Wiz,” whose soundtrack Jones, a seven-time Oscar nominee, produced. The performance included dozens of dancers and backing vocals from the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Jones got a de facto tribute at the beginning of the show when Cynthia Erivo belted out “Home” from “The Wiz” in her opening medley with “Wicked” castmate Ariana Grande.

Winfrey and Goldberg were castmates in 1985’s “The Color Purple.” Jones was a producer of the Steven Spielberg-directed film and co-wrote the score.

“He actually discovered me for ‘The Color Purple,’ which was my first film,” Winfrey said.

Two weeks after his death, Jones was bestowed his second honorary Oscar at November’s Governors Awards.

The Hackman segment was followed by the annual “in memoriam” montage of film figures who died since the last Academy Awards.

It included director David Lynch and actors Maggie Smith, Teri Garr, Joan Plowright, Donald Sutherland, Louis Gossett Jr., Shelley Duvall and James Earl Jones.

Most of them were highlighted with brief clips amid the musical montage.

“I am a professional actress!” Garr said in hers, a scene from “Tootsie.”

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‘Anora’ wins best picture, and four other big moments from the 97th Oscars

“Anora,” a madcap dramedy about a Brooklyn sex worker’s whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch, dominated the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, nabbing best picture and four other golden statuettes.

Sean Baker, a maverick hailed for his empathetic portraits of working-class outsiders, took home honors for original screenplay, editing and direction. Mikey Madison, the movie’s 25-year-old breakout star, triumphed in the race for best actress.

“I want to thank the academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” Baker said in his fourth and final acceptance speech of the night, adding that “Anora” was “made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists.”

“The Brutalist,” a sweeping epic about a Hungarian Holocaust survivor, received three awards, including best actor for Adrien Brody. Kieran Culkin picked up best supporting actor for “A Real Pain,” a melancholy comedy about cousins trekking through modern-day Poland.

The science-fiction spectacle “Dune: Part Two,” the genre-busting musical “Emilia Pérez” and the big-screen spin on the Broadway hit “Wicked” each scored two prizes. (“Wicked” was distributed by Universal Pictures, a unit of NBC News’ parent company, NBC News.)

The nearly four-hour ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, featured other memorable moments, including a powerful speech from a first-time acting winner and a series of spirited musical numbers. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.

Zoe Saldaña, accepting the best supporting actress Oscar for her performance as a Mexican drug kingpin’s attorney in “Emilia Pérez,” broke down crying as she paid tribute to her family’s immigration story.

“My grandmother came to this country in 1961,” Saldaña said. “I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.”

“The fact I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted,” she added, her eyes welling up with tears. “This is for my grandmother!”

“Emilia Pérez,” once considered this year’s Oscar heavyweight, earned just one other award, for best original song. Saldaña’s competitors were Monica Barbaro (“A Complete Unknown”), Ariana Grande (“Wicked”), Felicity Jones (“The Brutalist”) and Isabella Rossellini (“Conclave”).

“No Other Land,” a portrait of a West Bank village under Israeli military occupation, won the Oscar for best documentary feature. Two of the film’s four directors then pleaded for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“About two months ago, I became a father, and my hope to my daughter [is] she will not have to live the same life I am living now,” said co-director Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist who is from Masafer Yatta, a region of the West Bank.

Co-director Yuval Abraham, an Israeli journalist, said: “We made this film, Palestinian and Israelis, because together our voices are stronger. The atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people must end. The Israeli hostages brutally taken in the crime of Oct. 7 must be freed.”

Abraham urged the world to seek “a different path, a political solution, without ethnic supremacy, with national rights for both of our people.”

Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman, introducing the In Memoriam segment, paid his respects to Gene Hackman, memorializing his late co-star as a “giant” of Hollywood — and “a dear friend.”

“Like everybody who has ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer whose gifts elevated everyone’s work,” Freeman said. “He received two Oscars, but, more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world.”

Hackman won best actor in 1972 for William Friedkin’s “The French Connection” and best supporting actor in 1993 for Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven.” Freeman co-starred in the latter.

“Gene always said: ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work. So I think I speak for us all when I say: Gene, you’ll be remembered for that — and for so much more.”

Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, a classical pianist, were found dead in separate rooms in their Sante Fe, New Mexico, home, according to a search warrant that described their deaths as “suspicious.” Authorities are probing the circumstances.

If you enjoy elaborate song-and-dance numbers, then this year’s ceremony brought the goods.

The ceremony opened with “Wicked” stars Grande and Cynthia Erivo paying homage to the Land of Oz. Grande, dressed in a gown that resembled Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” sang “Over the Rainbow.” Erivo sang “Home” from “The Wiz.”

Then the two performers joined to belt out “Defying Gravity,” the marquee number from the “Wicked” songbook.

The telecast later featured a four-part tribute to the James Bond movie franchise, which Amazon recently acquired in a blockbuster deal.

“The Substance” actor Margaret Qualley kicked things off with a dance routine. She was followed by Lisa (of the South Korean group Blackpink), who sang “Live and Let Die.” Doja Cat handled “Diamonds Are Forever.” British singer-songwriter RAYE covered Adele’s soaring “Skyfall.”

Then, near the end of the night, Queen Latifah commanded the room with a rendition of “Ease on Down the Road,” another tune from “The Wiz.” It was another nod to “Wicked” — and a tribute to the late musical maestro Quincy Jones, who produced the soundtrack album.

97th Academy Awards: Zoe Saldaña wins supporting actress, Sean Baker wins for ‘Anora’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 97th Academy Awards spread the love around, dishing out awards to “Anora,” “Conclave,” “Wicked” and “The Substance,” in an Oscar ceremony that could conclude in a nailbiter for best picture.

More than half of the 10 movies nominated for best picture came away with at least one award at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday. That included the beleaguered Netflix contender “Emilia Pérez,” which, despite a backlash to old offensive tweets by star Karla Sofía Gascón, won best supporting actress for Zoe Saldaña.

“I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands,” said Saldaña. “I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.”

The two films seen as the most likely to win best picture, “Anora” and “Conclave,” each took an award for screenplay. “Conclave” scribe Peter Straughan won best adapted screenplay for his adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel. “Anora” filmmaker Sean Baker won best original screenplay — an award he soon followed with best editing, too.

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“I want to thank the sex worker community,” said Baker, echoing comments he made when “Anora” won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. “They have shared their stories. They have shared life experiences with me over the years. My deepest respect. Thank you. I share this with you.”

Texas nominees miss out

The Texans who had been up for Oscars did not take home an Academy Award.

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Singer-songwriter Abraham Alexander and Greg Kwedar, both of Fort Worth, and Clint Bentley of Dallas had been nominated for their work on the film Sing Sing, which tells the story of inmates who find purpose and redemption through a theater program at the infamous New York prison.

Alexander’s collaboration with Laredo native Adrian Quesada, “Like a Bird,” was in the running for Best Original Song. Kwedar and Bentley were nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. Kwedar and Bentley also co-produced the film, and Kwedar directed it.

An expected win and an upset

The night’s first award, presented by Robert Downey Jr., went to Kieran Culkin for best supporting actor. Culkin has cruised through the season, picking up award after award, for his performance alongside Jesse Eisenberg in “A Real Pain.”

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“I have no idea how I got here,” said Culkin, “I’ve just been acting my whole life.”

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Culkin spent most of his speech recalling an earlier, hypothetical promise from his wife Jazz Charton, that they could have a fourth child if he won an Oscar. Culkin used the opportunity to take Charton — “love of my life, ye of little faith” — up on the offer.

The biggest upset early on came in the best animated feature category. “Flow,” the wordless Latvian film upset DreamWorks Animations’ “The Wild Robot.” The win for “Flow,” an ecological parable about a cat in a flooded world, was the first Oscar ever for a Latvian film.

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“Thank you to my cats and dogs,” director Gints Zilbalodis accepting the award.

‘Wicked’ wins two

“Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo kicked off the ceremony with a tribute to Los Angeles following the wildfires that devastated the Southern California metropolis earlier this year. Grande sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Erivo performed Diana Ross’ “Home” before the “Wicked” stars joined together for “Defying Gravity” from their blockbuster big-screen musical.

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Later, “Wicked,” the biggest box-office hit among the best-picture nominees, won awards for production design and costume design.

“I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award,” said costume designer Paul Tazewell, who couldn’t finish that sentence before the crowd began to rise in a standing ovation. “I’m so proud of this.”

Best makeup and hairstyling went to “The Substance” for its gory creations of beauty and body horror. “Dune: Part Two” won for both visual effects and sound, and its sandworm — arguably the star of the night — figured into multiple gags throughout the evening.

Politics go unmentioned, at first

Though the Oscars featured the first time an actor was nominated for portraying a sitting U.S. president (Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump in “The Apprentice”), politics went largely unmentioned in the first half of the ceremony.

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Host Conan O’Brien avoided the topic completely in his opening monologue. The first exception was nearly two hours in, when presenter Daryl Hannah announced simply: “Slava Ukraini” (“Glory to Ukraine!”)

“No Other Land,” a documentary about Israeli occupation of the West Bank made by a collation of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, won best documentary. After failing to find a U.S. distributor, the filmmakers opted to self-distribute “No Other Land.” It grossed more than any other documentary nominee.

“There is a different path, a political solution, without ethnic supremacy, with national rights for both our people,” said Yuval Abraham, an Israeili, speaking beside co-director Basel Adra, a Palestinian. “And I have to say, as I am here, the foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Why? Can’t you see that we are intertwined, that my people can’t be truly safe if Basel’s people aren’t truly free?

Splashes of color decorated the red carpet: Timothée Chalamet in yellow, Ariana Grande in pink, Colman Domingo in red. Some attendees sported pins for Ukraine. Guy Pearce, nominated for his performance in “The Brutalist,” wore a “Free Palestine” pin on his lapel.

AdvertisementO’Brien scores in opening

O’Brien, introduced as “four-time Oscar viewer,” opened the ceremony with genial ribbing of the nominees and the former talk-show host’s trademark self-deprecation.

“‘A Complete Unknown.’ ‘A Real Pain.’ ‘Nosferatu.’ These are just some of the names I was called on the red carpet,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien, hosting for the first time, avoided any political commentary in his opening remarks, but the monologue was a smash hit. O’Brien lent on the disappointed face of John Lithgow, a full-throated “Chalamet!” from Adam Sandler and a gag of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos being delivered to the red carpet in a cardboard box.

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O’Brien’s most sincere comments were reserved for Los Angeles, itself, in speaking about the enduring “magic and grandeur” of film in wake of the wildfires. O’Brien, whose house in the Pacific Palisades was spared by the fires, then segued into a musical routine, singing: “I won’t waste time.”

An unpredictable Oscar year

This year’s Oscars, among the most unpredictable in years, unspooled after a turbulent year for the film industry. Ticket sales were down 3% from the previous year and more significantly from pre-pandemic times. The strikes of 2023 played havoc with release schedules in 2024. Many studios pulled back on production, leaving many out of work. The fires, in January, only added to the pain.

Last year’s telecast, propelled by the twin blockbusters of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie,” led the Oscars to a four-year viewership high, with 19.5 million viewers. This year, with smaller independent films favored in the most prominent awards, the academy will be tested to draw as large of an audience.

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The ceremony took place days following the death of Gene Hackman. The 95-year-old two-time Oscar winner and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday at their New Mexico home. Morgan Freeman was to honor him during the ceremony.

Zoe Saldaña Apologizes to Oscars Reporter Who Says ‘Emilia Pérez’ Is ‘Hurtful to Us Mexicans’

Emilia Pérez notched Saldaña her first Oscar, for Best Supporting Actress, while the film also took home the award for Best Original Song, from a total of 13 nominations

Zoe Saldaña is standing by the messages in Emilia Pérez, but also open to continuing the conversation about how the movie “could’ve been done better.”

Following her Best Supporting Actress win at the 2025 Oscars in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 2, the actress was asked by a reporter in the press room about some of the criticism surrounding the French-made film, which takes place in Mexico.

“A lot of things [have] been said about the movie, about trans people, about empowering women, but less has been said about Mexico, which is the heart of it,” the reporter told Saldaña, 46. “What would you say about the heart of this movie, but also the topic [that] is really hurtful for us Mexicans?”

“First of all, I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended [by Emilia Pérez],” Saldaña began her answer. “That was never our intention. We spoke and came from a place of love, and I will stand by that.”

The actress, who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, went on to say that she doesn’t “share [the reporter’s] opinion,” in that “for me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren’t making a film about a country. We were making a film about four women.”

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“And these women could have been Russian, could have been Dominican, could have been Black from Detroit, could have been from Israel, could have been from Gaza,” she continued. “And these women are still very universal women that are struggling every day trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find their most authentic voices.”

Saldaña concluded, “So I will stand by that, but I’m also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, and with love and respect, having a great conversation on how Emilia could’ve been done better. I have no problem. I welcome it. Thank you.”

Among the scrutiny faced by Emilia Pérez was its Best Actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón, 52, coming under fire for comments she made in interviews and old posts on X, focusing on Muslim culture, George Floyd, diversity and more. Gascón eventually deleted the posts, issued an apology then deactivated her X account.

Other commentators and social media users questioned the authenticity of French director Jacques Audiard and his actors’ portrayal of modern Mexico.

On Gaby Meza’s Hablando de Cine podcast in December 2024, Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez agreed with Meza when she criticized Selena Gomez’s performance in the film, saying Spanish was “neither her primary nor secondary language nor fifth,” per The Hollywood Reporter. (After Gomez, 32, responded to a TikTok clip of the interview by writing, “I’m sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given,” Derbez posted an apology to her.)

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Emilia Pérez is a Spanish-language musical crime drama that stars Saldaña as Rita, a lawyer tasked with helping the movie’s title character (Gascón) obtain a gender-affirming surgery to escape life as a cartel boss.

The movie also won Best Original Song at this year’s Oscars and was the most-nominated film of the evening, with 13 nods total. Also nominated in this year’s Best Supporting Actress category alongside Saldaña were Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist) and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave).

Before beginning her acceptance speech at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Saldaña shouted for her mom through tears before telling the crowd that her entire family was in attendance and that she is “floored by this honor,” her first Oscar.

After an emotional speech that honored her team and family (including husband Marco Perego and his “beautiful hair”), Saldaña said, “I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award and I know I will not be the last. I hope.”

The Latest: The 97th Academy Awards are underway

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 97th Academy Awards have kicked off at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. “Emilia Pérez” leads the pack with 13 Oscar nominations, but “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” are close behind. The 2025 Oscars opened with its biggest musical voices. “Wicked” star Ariana Grande launched into “The Wizard of Oz” classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” following a visual package celebrating the city of Los Angeles.

Under each seat in the theatre is a box containing water, a soft pretzel, mustard, Sno-Caps chocolate candy and a note from host Conan O’Brien that reads “Dear Star/Seat Filler – I hope you enjoy these complimentary snacks. I tried my best to include a gummy but Disney said that was a ‘hard pass.’ Have a great night, Conan.”

‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’ wins Oscar for best animated short film

Iranian filmmakers Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi won their first Academy Award for “In the Shadow of the Cypress.” It was the second Iranian animated or live-action short film nominated at the Oscars and the first to win. Animation is often thought of as childlike, fun and creative in nature, but it can also elicit deep emotion: “In the Shadow of the Cypress” takes a creative and artistic approach to the relationship between a father, an old former captain who is dealing with PTSD, and his daughter. The short also won best animated short at the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival.

Kieran Culkin wins best supporting actor, completing his sweep

Kieran Culkin won the Oscar for best supporting actor Sunday at the 97th Academy Awards, completing a sweep of the category that followed his dominance in television awards last season.

The award, for portraying the chaotic but endearing Benji in Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain”, marked his first win and nomination.

Conan O’Brien gets Oscars off to a snarky start

Host Conan O’Brien got the show and his monologue off to a start filled with his usual sarcastic humor.

O’Brien poked fun at the Oscars, Hollywood’s biggest night “which starts at 4 in the afternoon.” He also poked fun at himself. “I know what you’re thinking: ‘Did Conan not have work done? Seriously. He looks his age.’” And he jabbed at Netflix for having price increases.

He also implored the Oscar audience to sit down — after not getting a standing ovation.

A “Wicked”-ly fun opening

The 2025 Oscars opened with its biggest musical voices. “Wicked” star Ariana Grande launched into “The Wizard of Oz” classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” following a visual package celebrating the city of Los Angeles.

She ditched her usual Glinda pink for a ruby red gown, channeling Dorothy’s iconic shoes. She was followed by Elphaba herself, Cynthia Erivo, nailing “Home” from the “The Wiz.” (The late Quincy Jones supervised the adaptation of songs from the Broadway musical for the 1978 film starring Michael Jackson.) Then Grande and Erivo teamed up for a dynamic duet of “Defying Gravity.” And yes, they hit the note.

How does Oscar voting work?

There are about 10,500 global members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Some are actors, some directors, some editors, some costume designers, some hair and makeup people … you get the idea.

In 22 of the 23 categories, it’s a simple system: The nominee with the most votes wins. Easy. Voting is done online, ballots are not released publicly and only two partners at PricewaterhouseCoopers know the winners before they are revealed to the world.

For best picture, the system is different: enter ranked choice voting. Voters rank the nominees in order and the film getting 50% or more of the vote is the winner.

Here’s where it gets confusing, so we’ll let the academy explain it in its own words: “If one movie doesn’t get 50% out of the gate, the one with the fewest votes is eliminated, and the members who voted for that as their top choice have their votes added to the film that was next on their list.

“What happens if their second choice was the one that was eliminated? Well, their votes then go to their third choice, and so on. That process continues until one movie gets 50% or more of all the votes.”

Demi Moore stops for a Ghost reunion

Demi Moore was making a beeline through the red carpet, waving to fans but also walking with purpose.

The one person she stopped for? Her “Ghost” costar Whoopi Goldberg.

The two clasped hands and chatted for a few moments before Moore continued on.

Guy Pearce wears ‘Free Palestine’ pin

“The Brutalist” actor Guy Pearce showed up wearing a “FREE PALESTINE” pin featuring a white dove and a gold branch. The award show comes as Israel stopped the entry of all food and other supplies into Gaza on Sunday.

Pearce, who has expressed his support throughout the awards season with various pins, said “It’s the least we can do.”

“I’m just always on the case of trying to recognize Palestine and it having as much support as it possibly can because it’s what it absolutely needs.”

‘No Other Land’ barely mentioned in Israeli media

“No Other Land,” a documentary about the Israeli destruction of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, has barely been mentioned in Israel outside of scattered coverage in the country’s left-wing media. It’s a stark shift from other Israeli films that are nominated for an Oscar, which usually receive boastful accolades in the run-up to the awards ceremony. But the country is still reeling from the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with dozens of hostages still in captivity, and the devastating war, the longest intensive combat in Israeli history, which killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and 2,000 Israelis.

The timing is simply too sensitive, said Raya Morag, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who specializes in cinema and trauma.

“Everyone is in mourning or in trauma, we can hardly hear any other voice on any other subject,” she said. Morag, who is part of the left-wing peace movement, said she believes there will be a place for this film, made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, in the future discourse, but only after the hostages have returned, the destroyed homes have been rebuilt, a new election is held to replace the current right-wing government, and the country goes through a “collective mourning process.”

She noted that the documentary film “Five Broken Cameras,” which documented life in a Palestinian village along the Israeli security fence, became part of a national conversation because it was released in 2012, during a relatively peaceful period between outbursts of active conflict.

“No Other Land” has also struggled in the U.S., where it could not find a distributor despite a litany of accolades.

Brandi Carlile talks about working and writing with Elton John

Brandi Carlile is a first-time Oscar nominee, having written “Never Too Late” with Elton John. The big-hearted anthem, which serves as a title track for the documentary about his life, is up for best original song.

“He didn’t ask, I sort of solicited myself,” she joked to the AP on the red carpet about their collaboration.

“I watched the documentary, and I was really taken aback by the fact that I felt that it was going to sort of force Elton to sit and self-reflect in a really important way, that he doesn’t normally do, you know? I wanted to take in those good things about himself, all those wonderful things about himself. And I wanted to write a lyric that did what I felt the documentary did, which was for him to look in a mirror and say, ‘You know, you’re an iron man, baby.’”

EGOT Watch: Cynthia Erivo

She’s not expected to win best actress for “Wicked,” but if there’s an upset, Cynthia Erivo could become the 22nd person to enter the EGOT club tonight.

Her Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards all stemmed from her role in the Broadway musical of “The Color Purple.” It’s her third Oscar nomination since.

Erivo is also performing on the show and she’s hosting the Tonys in June.

The songwriting duo of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul became the most recent EGOT winners when they won an Emmy last year. Elton John, already an EGOT, is also nominated in the best song category.

Fashion statements carry a political message

As stars arrived on the red carpet, some added messaging to their ensembles. Swedish singer and actor Kayo Shekoni lifted up her black heel to reveal the words “free Congo” on the red carpet, advocating for the conflict-ridden African nation.

“Conclave” writer Peter Straughan showed his support for Ukraine with a Ukrainian flag pin accent on his tuxedo.

“Just to say, let’s not turn our backs on Ukraine,” he told Variety’s Marc Malkin.

The pin caries extra significance after a tense meeting unfolded between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance Friday.

The team behind best documentary nominee “Porcelain War,” the story of Ukrainian artists who trade their paintbrushes for guns to fight against the Russian invasion, also sported Ukrainian flag pins.

Jeff Goldblum blooms on red carpet

Actor Jeff Goldblum added a floral arrangement to his off-white tuxedo jacket lapel, in a play off his last name.

Orchids adorned the “Wicked” star’s Prada look that he paired with a colorful floral button up and a black bow tie. His signature glasses were tinted green. Goldblum previously walked for the Prada runway in 2022.

Mission: Possible for June Squibb

June Squibb had no time to spare. She made a grand entrance to the red carpet in sequined florals, being pushed with purpose in a wheelchair.

“There’s June!” someone said, trying to get her attention, but she was already too far away.

Meet the creator of ‘Johanne Sacreblu,’ Mexico’s joyous revenge against ‘Emilia Pérez’

“Emilia Pérez” is not exactly popular in Mexico, where it’s been met largely with indifference or negativity. Instead, Mexico has rallied around “Johanne Sacreblu,” a protest parody from trans filmmaker Camila D. Aurora.

The short film has amassed more than 3 million YouTube views, and was even shown in cinemas with a red carpet event.

Aurora was curious about “Emilia Perez,” but since the film didn’t premiere until very late in the awards season in Mexico, she had to watch it (first) using a pirated link. She didn’t like it at all, finding its trans and Mexican representation derogatory and problematic.

So she took to TikTok with a pitch: The trans heirs of two millionaire French feuding families, Johanne Sacreblu and Agtugo Ratatouille (performed by Aurora and the Yeylán Torres, respectively), fall in love in the middle of their battle to decide if the croissant or the baguette is the ultimate French bread.

Her followers suggested she fundraise. Aurora collected around $1,700 (35,000 Mexican pesos). She composed and recorded the songs for the 28-minute musical, which premiered the same weekend as “Emilia Perez” did in Mexico. It notched 1 million viewers in just three days.

“We were the ant that faced the giant, it’s very incredible,” Aurora told The Associated Press. “I was doing activism, and my activism began the moment I gathered 50 people using only TikTok videos who came together to work two, three days, many hours, just for the pleasure of laughing about this film that a few days ago only made them angry.”

The film has collected double its original budget. She’s donated part of the profits to two organizations, the feminist group Las Hijas de Mayahuel, which advocates for dignified menstrual health and provides medical care as well as the Grupo Nacional de Búsqueda, a collective of organizations of relatives of disappeared people in Mexico.

And, soon, expect a part two.

BEHIND THE LENS: What it’s like on the loud, loud red carpet

AP photographer Chris Pizzello is a veteran of awards shows — and their red carpets. Here’s how he gets the shot amid fierce competition:

I am a naturally quiet person, so I’ve never been a yeller. Even when I do yell, everyone complains that they can’t hear me! So I try to concentrate on capturing what red carpet photographers call “moments.” A wave. A wink. A spontaneous burst of laughter. Or maybe a look back over the shoulder as the celebrity is walking away. It’s just a matter of always being attentive. I also occasionally like to focus on interesting details, like shoes or necklaces.

“Like A Bird” from “Sing Sing” mints two first-time Oscar nominees

Abraham Alexander and Black Pumas’ Adrian Quesada, who composed “Like A Bird” for “Sing Sing,” are up for best original song this year. It marks their first ever Academy Award nominations. But because the nominees in that category won’t perform in 2025, they won’t hit the stage with the likes of 16-nominee Diane Warren or Elton John.

“We would love to share the stage with Elton John and so forth. But what’s a performance if it’s not for people to share? What’s a song if ears can’t hear it?” Alexander said on the red carpet. “We heard they wanted to honor people that were affected by the fires and we were here while it was happening. So, we’re about people. And whichever way we can elevate people’s humanity and human experience, we’re all about.”

Elsewhere in Los Angeles: Timothée Chalamet’s look-alikes vie for a look-alike Oscar

Two of Timothée Chalamet’s lookalikes — yes, those lookalikes — spent the weekend in Los Angeles filming an advertisement for New York hairdresser Sergio Slavnov’s Avenue Man hair care brand.

Miles Mitchell and Zander Dueve placed first and second in the October contest hosted by YouTuber Anthony Po. Flown out from New York and Atlanta by Slavnov to work on the campaign, Mitchell and Dueve spent part of Friday on Rodeo Drive filming the campaign.

“It’s just the gift that keeps on giving, and it just keeps proving to be that,” Dueve said, dressed as Chalamet’s “Dune” character Paul Atreides. “Every now and again, I’m like, okay, five minutes up and then I’m like, oh, okay — there’s another thing, and then another thing, and then Miles and I are coming here.”

Mitchell reprised the thrifted “Wonka” costume that won him the contest. In his briefcase this time? Hair products — and a 3D-printed Oscar statuette.

Clarence Maclin’s joyful Oscar debut

“Sing Sing” star and co-writer Clarence Maclin was joyful on the red carpet at his first Oscars.

“It feels amazing,” he said. “The honor of being with people I’ve been watching my whole life? I don’t feel like I’m in competition; I feel like I’m with the best in class.”

Maclin still has one person on his wish list to meet: Denzel Washington.

Bowen Yang bounds down the red carpet

Bowen Yang was among the earlier celebrities to arrive. Excited and dancing his way through the carpet, he blew kisses to fans. His “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater was close behind, perhaps less excited for the spotlight: “No thanks,” he said to a passing photographer looking to take a snap. Fans asked him who he would text first if “Wicked” won: “My sister,” he said.

How to get a spot in the Oscars bleachers

Many of the screaming fans in the bleachers entered contests through local TV and radio stations to get the coveted spot on the red carpet. Some are even second or third timers.

“Wicked” seems to be the favorite of the bunch, so expect the decibel levels to rise when Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo arrive.

“We’re going to lose but we love them so much,” said one woman.

The red carpet is underway

The awards ceremony is still a few hours away, but that’s not deterring the stars from making an early entrance. The Associated Press’ official live fashion coverage from the red carpet has officially kicked off, and you can catch all the glitz and glamour here.

Watching on a TV? E!’s “Live from E! The Oscars” red carpet coverage will start at 1 p.m. Pacific and 4 p.m. Eastern ABC’s official red carpet pre-show, hosted by Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer, will begin at 3:30 p.m. Pacific and 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Then, at 4 p.m. Pacific and 7 p.m. Eastern, the Oscars will be streamed live on Hulu. You can also watch via Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV. With authentication from your provider, you can watch on ABC.com and the ABC app.

A ‘Color Purple’ reunion

Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg are set to reunite on the Oscars stage — though what they’ll be doing there is under wraps until the live broadcast.

Both appeared in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation of “The Color Purple,” which earned them Oscar nominations — Winfrey for supporting and Goldberg for lead. They rehearsed together at the Dolby Theatre on Saturday morning for their top-secret presentation.

The two co-stars in reconnected in recent years, clearing the air about a “feud” that they realized never existed but had kept them apart for decades.

This awards season’s fashion MVPs

The list of celebrities bringing it on recent red carpets is growing, a little over a month after the devastating Los Angeles fires subdued carpet dressing for a time. As the city moves into rebuild mode, stars will likely up their fashion games for the biggest awards night of the season: The Oscars.

Cynthia Erivo: Erivo has always taken fashion risks, ditching her Elphaba black for last week’s Screen Actors Guild awards, opting for a silver Givenchy look with a high shaggy collar worthy of her bad witch role.

Jeremy Strong: He wore a mint green suit with a bucket hat in the same color to the Golden Globes. His white turtleneck topped it all off.

Danielle Deadwyler: Deadwyler didn’t play it safe in a bright red strapless 3D structured tiered gown from Louis Vuitton at the SAGs.

Timothée Chalamet: At the SAGs, he married a bright brat green button-up shirt from Chrome Hearts with a shiny black leather suit and a bolo tie as he continues to channel Bob Dylan.

Ariana Grande: Like Margot Robbie’s Barbie pink, Grande has been mostly sticking to a far paler hue, her signature and an homage to her “Wicked” good witch.

Mikey Madison: New fashion darling went Hollywood bombshell at the SAGs with a strapless silver Louis Vuitton look with a large pleated bow at the waist. She’s been working with stylist Jamie Mizrahi, who has dressed Adele and Jennifer Lawrence, among many other celebs.

BEHIND THE LENS: A photographer’s view on one weird awards season

AP photographer Chris Pizzello has been shooting the Oscars for more than a decade. Here’s his take on what makes this awards season different:

This is the least predictable awards season in memory. Usually, I’m about 95% correct in training my lens on the eventual winner of a category in the audience, but this year I’d say I’m more 75%.

Mikey Madison seemed to have the late awards season momentum with wins at BAFTA and the Independent Spirit Awards, but then Demi Moore struck back at the SAGs. Adrien Brody was winning everything, but then Timothée Chalamet finally took one last Sunday. This year’s Oscars seem wide-open in best actor, best actress and best picture (although I’d narrow that one down to either “Anora” or “Conclave”).

The only absolutely sure thing in the major categories, in my view, is Kieran Culkin for best supporting. He’s run the table this year.

What’s the deal with ‘Emilia Pérez’?

Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” a narco-musical about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirming surgery, comes in with a leading 13 nominations. The film, at one point, seemed like Netflix’s best chance yet to land the streamer its first best picture win. Its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, made history by becoming the first openly trans actor nominated for an Oscar.

But no nominee has had a rockier post-nominations Oscar campaign. After old offensive tweets by Gascón were uncovered, the actress issued an apology. The fallout, though, has badly damaged a movie that was already a divisive contender, and led Netflix to radically refocus its flagging campaign.

All things considered, though, the film did well at France’s Césars — its home country’s Oscars equivalent — on Friday.

Brazil’s Fernanda Torres is this year’s Carnival muse

Brazil’s Carnival muse this year isn’t one of the divas or drum queens parading with the Rio de Janeiro samba schools. It’s Fernanda Torres, who’s competing for the best actress Oscar.

The Oscars fall smack in the middle of Carnival, Brazil’s largest celebration, which runs through Tuesday. During the five-day revelry, the rest of the universe usually fades into the background as Brazilians cut loose and indulge.

Not this year — and the keen focus on the Oscars speaks to Brazil’s pride for its culture and desire to be recognized on the global stage.

Torres is nominated for her performance as the lead in the Walter Salles-directed “I’m Still Here,” which is also nominated for best picture and best international feature. Excitement around the awards has prompted TV Globo, Brazil’s largest network, to resume live coverage of the ceremony after a five-year hiatus. It will forgo the nationwide airing of high-ratings Carnival parades, instead broadcasting the Oscars everywhere except Rio.

▶ Read more about why Brazil cares about the Oscars this year

Who’s hosting the Oscars?

Conan O’Brien is hosting the Academy Awards for the first time.

“I never have been invited to the Oscars,” the late-night host-turned-podcaster and occasional movie star said at a news conference Wednesday. “I only hosted so that I could be invited.”

O’Brien said he would not hesitate to talk about the nation’s fraught political situation.

“I cannot ignore the moment we’re in,” he said. “But I also have to remember it’s threading a needle. I also have to remember what we’re here to celebrate and infuse the show with positivity.”

He said compared to all the other things he’s done, hosting the Oscars is like “for the first time getting to drive a Ferrari.

“I’d like to keep the tuxedo,” he said. “They made me an absolutely beautiful tuxedo. It’s the nicest thing I’ve ever put on in my life.”

Adrien Brody Wins Second Oscar for ‘The Brutalist’ Role

Adrien Brody clinched his second Oscar for best actor, winning Sunday for his role as a visionary Hungarian architect in ” The Brutalist ” and solidifying his legacy as one of Hollywood’s most compelling talents.

Brody took home best actor at the 97th Academy Awards for his powerful portrayal of Lázló Tóth, who escapes the Holocaust and sails to the United States to find his American Dream. The film spans 30 years in the life of Tóth, a fictional character whose unorthodox designs challenged societal norms, and his relentless pursuit of artistic integrity.

“It looks very glamorous and in certain moments it is,” Brody said during his acceptance speech. He’s the 11th man to win best actor more than once. Daniel Day-Lewis is a three-time winner and nine others — Spencer Tracy, Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Cooper, Tom Hanks, Fredric March, Sean Penn and Anthony Hopkins — are two-time best actor winners.

“But the one thing that I’ve gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective,” he continued. “No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away. And I think what makes this night so special is the awareness of that.”

Brody called out antisemitism and racism during his speech.

“I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and othering,” he said. “I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world. And I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.”

Brody thanked his partner, Georgina Chapman, who not only “reinvigorated my own self worth, but my sense of value and my values.” He also mentioned both of Chapman’s two children, who she shares with disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who is currently detained while awaiting a retrial on sex crimes charges in New York.

“I know this has been a roller coaster, but thank you for accepting me into your life,” Brody said. “Popsies coming home a winner.”

Backstage, Brody called the journey toward his win Sunday night a “long and beautiful one.”

“It’s been an artistic path as you try to navigate creative choices,” he said. “There are many variables. There’s an enormous amount of talented individuals all vying for very few great opportunities. I’ve been working very hard for the past 22 years, but nothing quite connected on this level, so I’m conscious of that.”

Brody triumphed over fellow nominees Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown,” Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing,” Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave,” and Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice.”

Nominated for 10 Oscars including best picture, “The Brutalist” is Brady Corbet’s three-and-a-half-hour postwar American epic filmed in VistaVision. Brody starred in the film alongside Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce.

After winning best actor at the 78th British Academy Film Awards in February, Brody said “The Brutalist” carries a powerful message for divided times.

“It speaks to the need for all of us to share in the responsibility of how we want others to be treated and how we want to be treated by others,” he said. “There’s no place any more for antisemitism. There’s no place for racism.”

Brody won an Academy Award for best actor in 2003 for his role in “The Pianist.” His gap of 22 years would be the second longest between best actor wins. It was 29 years between wins for “Silence of the Lambs” and “The Father” for Anthony Hopkins.

Brody is also known for his performances “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Darjeeling Limited” and “Midnight in Paris.”

For Brody, his role in “The Brutalist” had obvious echoes with arguably his most defining performance. In Roman Polanski’s 2002 “The Pianist,” Brody also played a Jewish artist trying to survive during WWII.

Timothée Chalamet fans say ‘there’s been a mistake’ as Adrien Brody wins Best Actor Oscar – Manchester Evening News

Adrien Brody broke the hearts of Timothee Chalamet’s fans on Sunday night (March 2) by winning the Best Actor Oscar.

Brody was recognised for his work as a Hungarian holocaust survivor who immigrated to America in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist.

His competitor Chalamet was nominated for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown.

The race for the golden statue had been dominated by Brody, who beat Chalamet at the Critic’s Choice, BAFTAs, and at the Screen Actor Guild Awards.

Last weekend saw a major twist in the tale, when Chalamet overcame Brody at the Spirit Awards, where he told those in attendance about his goal to become “one of the greats”.

With the pair neck-on-neck heading into Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, Cillian Murphy announced that Brody was the winner of his second Academy Award.

Brody previously won the award at the age of 29 in 2002 for his work in The Pianist, making him the youngest winner in the category’s history, a fact that would have changed had Chalamet won.

Brody said in his victory speech that he wanted to give ‘thanks for the tremendous outpouring of love from’ the world, and added: “No matter where you are in your career, it can all go away, and what makes this most special is the awareness of that.”

Those watching at home to X, previously known as Twitter, to send their commiserations to Chalamet and assure him a golden statue is in his future.

@TomScibelli said: “Explain to me why I’m legitimately upset that Timothee Chalamet just lost Best Actor as if it affects my life in any way whatsoever.” @raspberhrriies added: “Club chalamet stealing an oscar to give to timothee chalamet #oscars.”

@SopranosWorld wrote: “Timothée Chalamet getting back in the lab after being denied the Oscar for best male actor.” @madisonripIey posted: “Watching timothee chalamet lose the oscar in 2018 and now in 2025.”

@quibvs commented: “Guys, no, there’s been a mistake. Timothée, you won Best Actor. This is not a joke, i’m afraid they read the wrong thing. This is not a joke. Timothée has won Best Actor. Timothée Chalamet. Best Actor.”

PHOTOS: 6 key moments from the Oscars

There were a lot of smiling faces at the Oscars but one had to stand out — Sean Baker saw his film “Anora” go home with the top film prize and he took four for himself. Its star Mikey Madison was crowned best actress.

Twenty-two years after winning best actor for “The Pianist,” Adrien Brody won the same Oscar again for his performance as another Holocaust survivor in Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist.” He somehow kept the playoff music at bay.

Mikey Madison wins the Oscar for Best Actress for “Anora” during the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025. Photo by Carlos Barria/ Reuters

On Sunday, firefighters who battled recent wildfires got applauded, Mick Jagger handed out the best original song Oscar and John Lithgow was tasked with looking “slightly disappointed” when speeches ran long. One highlight was Timothée Chalamet — literally. His yellow suit got more than one comment.

Timothee Chalamet at the Oscars on March 2, 2025. Photo by Richard Harbaugh/ AMPAS/ Handout via REUTERS

Here were some other telecast highlights.

‘Proud child of immigrant parents’

Zoe Saldana accepts the award for Best Actress In A Supporting Role for “Emilia Pérez” during the 97th Annual Oscars on March 2, 2025, in Hollywood. Photo by Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Zoe Saldaña was the favorite but that didn’t diminish her emotional win.

After accepting the Oscar for best supporting actress for her work in “Emilia Pérez,” Saldaña spoke emotionally about her family and her grandmother, tearing up during her speech.

READ MORE: Netflix musical ‘Emilia Pérez’ leads Oscar nominations with 13, setting record for a non-English language film

“My grandmother came to this country in 1961 — I am a proud child of immigrant parents,” she said. “With dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last. I hope. The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted, this is for my grandmother.”

The accolade comes after Saldaña swept awards season, taking home the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, BAFTA and SAG awards for playing lawyer Rita Mora Castro.

A ‘Wicked’ opening

“Wicked” co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande perform during the Oscars in Hollywood on March 2, 2025. Photo by Carlos Barria/ Reuters

Host Conan O’Brien took a back seat at the Oscars’ opening number, ceding the floor to a “Wizard of Oz”-themed, 8-minute musical medley led by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Grande, in a red sparkly dress, performed a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.” Then Erivo, in a white gown with floral embellishments, took the stage to sing a staggering rendition of “Home” from “The Wiz.” They joined up for “Wicked’s” “Defying Gravity,” with Grande kissing Erivo’s ring.

WATCH: ‘Wicked’ costume designer Paul Tazewell on the vision behind his Oscar-nominated work

Wildfire-battered Los Angeles, on this night, stood in for Oz, with the graphic “We Love LA” showing after the pair were finished. The show began with a medley of film moments that used Los Angeles as a backdrop, including “La La Land,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Iron Man 2” and “Mulholland Drive.”

Then it was O’Brien’s turn, comically pulling himself — and a missing shoe — from within the body of Demi Moore, in a take on her film “The Substance.”

A very — maybe too — public family discussion

Kieran Culkin poses with the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for “A Real Pain” at the 97th Academy Awards. Photo by Richard Harbaugh/ AMPAS/ Handout via REUTERS

While accepting an Emmy Award in January 2024, Kieran Culkin used his time onstage to plead with his wife for more kids. They have two, Kinsey Sioux and Wilder Wolf. “You said maybe if I win,” he said, cheekily.

On Sunday, he upped the demand.

Culkin from the Oscar stage repeated the story and then said that he and Jazz Charton made a deal in the parking lot at the Emmys: If he won an Oscar, she’d not only give him a third, they could plan for a fourth. They even shook on it.

“I just have to say this to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith,” he said as the crowd roared. “No pressure, I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again. Now let’s get cracking on those kids, what do you say?”

The moment got an echo later in the night when “I’m Not A Robot” director Victoria Warmerdam said she wasn’t following Culkin’s lead.

“To my producer and partner in life, Trent: I’m not having your babies because of this statue,” she said after winning best live action short.

007, celebrated by women

Lisa performs during the Oscars in a tribute to the James Bond movies on March 2, 2025. Photo by Carlos Barria/ Reuters

There was no James Bond movie nominated in 2024 but there was a big James Bond section at the Oscars that ate up a lot of telecast time.

To honor transfer of the franchise to Amazon, three singers — Lisa, Doja Cat and Raye — each sang a different 007 title song. Lisa sang “Live and Let Die,” Doja Cat tackled “Diamonds Are Forever” and Raye did “Skyfall.”

Amazon MGM announced Thursday that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control. Longtime Bond custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they would be stepping back. On Sunday, Halle Berry thanked them for being the “heart and soul” of Bond.

The tribute began with “The Substance” nominee Margaret Qualley in a red gown taking to the stage to dance acrobatically with a team of male dancers to the James Bond theme.

Gene Hackman honored

Morgan Freeman speaks at the Oscars about his friend and fellow actor Gene Hackman, who died in February at age 95. Photo by Carlos Barria/ Reuters

Morgan Freeman made an understated tribute to a friend: Gene Hackman

Freeman, who starred with Hackman in two movies, kicked off the in memoriam section with a somber note about Hackman, who was found dead last week alongside his wife.

WATCH: Remembering the life and legendary career of actor Gene Hackman

“This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” Freeman began in his speech. “I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Under Suspicion.’ Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.”

“Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,’” Freeman continued. “I think I speak for us all when I say, ‘Gene, you will be remembered for that, and so much more.’ Rest in peace, my friend.”

The in memoriam section would honor such luminaries as Terri Garr, Donald Sutherland, Louis Gossett Jr, Shelley Duvall, David Lynch, Bob Newhart, Gena Rowlands, Maggie Smith and James Earl Jones. A separate section in the telecast honored Quincy Jones.

How to stop the wrap-up music

Adrien Brody wins the Oscar for Best Actor for “The Brutalist” at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025. Photo by Carlos Barria/ Reuters

It has been an endless torment to winners everywhere whenever they hear the music swelling. It means one thing: Stop talking.

Brody had a novel response to the playoff music Sunday. He looked sternly into the camera and said: “I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off. I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will will be brief.”

WATCH: Adrien Brody unpacks his performance as a complicated man driven by art in ‘The Brutalist’

It’s true. He won the Oscar in 2003 for “The Pianist,” memorably kissing Halle Berry at the podium. But that time he was pleading, not demanding, more time from producers.

When the music started rolling during his emotional speech back then, Brody said: “One second, please. One second. Cut it out. I got one shot at this.” He added, “I didn’t say more than five names, I don’t think.” He went on for more than a minute more.

Cynthia Erivo shares ‘hidden detail’ as she makes her ‘final ode’ to Wicked at the Oscars – Manchester Evening News

Cynthia Erivo gave her final ‘ode to Oz’ at Sunday night’s Oscars ceremony. She was nominated as Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Wicked.

The 38-year-old actress was nominated for her portrayal of Elphaba in the musical film, but lost out to ‘Anora’ star Mikey Madison.

With the Wicked press tour well documented, fans quickly noted that Cynthia had a fresh set of statement nails at every carpeted event leading up to the release.

Speaking outside Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, she said on ‘Live From E! The Oscars 2025 red carpet’: “It takes a while and every time we do a carpet we do them over.”

She added: “This time we did a proper ode to Oz. The Emerald City, all the green and the gold and the guild. We knew this is the last one, so we wanted to do something big and special.”

The camera zoomed in as she showed a clock on one finger and an intricate gold design on another. The star then praised her patient nail technician, Mycah Dior, as she said: “She made it by hand. We try to go as hard as we can.”

Mycah herself praised her work on her Instagram Story, as she wrote: “I think I truly outdone myself with this set.”

Mycah also later posted a snap of Cynthia on the carpet and captioned: “Dripping in gold, because it’s her time. A gilded mani for The Oscars @cynthiaerivo @theacademy … I wanted it to look like she dipped her hands in a treasure box, I DELIVERED… everything fully handrawn/ sculpted >.< zoom in on those details!”

While attending the event, Cynthia opted for a custom dark green velvet Louis Vuitton ballgown. She revealed was a nod to Elphaba’s green, Oz, and old Hollywood.

She added: “I always wanted a big dress for the Oscars if I made it here. And here we are in this wonderful, giant big green dress. And I feel amazing in it.”

Both Cynthia and Ariana Grande missed out on their Oscar this time around, but with Wicked part 2 coming out later this year hopes are still high for the duo.

Wicked still managed to take home two Oscars, for Best Costume Design for Paul Tazewell and Best Production Design for Lee Sandeles and Nathan Crowley.

Cynthia and Ariana also performed on the stage with a three-song set. Ariana opened with her rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz, while Cynthia sang Home from The Wiz. The duo then went on to perform Defying Gravity together from Wicked.