The One Millionth Academy Awards
Host…. No host. ‘Popular Movie’ Category… No ‘Popular Movie’ category. Awards given out during the commercials… All awards given out live. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one tuning into the 91st Academy Awards wondering what to expect.
In what felt more like the Grammys, this year’s Oscars opened with a performance by Queen and Adam Lambert singing hit songs from ‘Best Picture’ nominated Bohemian Rhapsody. It was a refreshing, contemporary approach to the show’s opener and kicked off the show full of high energy.
Our first presenters of the evening were SNL alum Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Maya Rudolph- a smart choice given the comedy caliber between these three.
“Good evening and welcome to the one millionth Academy Awards. We are not your hosts,” exclaimed Tina Fey. Followed by Maya Rudolph informing the audience, “There is no host, there will be no ‘Popular Movie’ category and Mexico is not paying for the wall.” Comedy, political jokes, and a dig at the Academy. Who needs a host when you have these fabulous ladies?
Of course, we all tune in to see if our favorite stars and movies are going to win, but if you’re anything like me, the highlight is the red carpet. Some of my favorite looks coming from Lady Gaga, JLo, Gemma Chan, Emma Stone, and Glenn Close. The ladies were stunning in dresses worthy of the Oscars. But perhaps as a nod to the ever more diverse and equal space that Hollywood is moving towards, gender-fluid fashion was a big look at this year’s Oscars. I loved seeing so many women in pantsuits. Awkwafina showed how to truly rock this look in a fabulous sparkly, lavender suit by Dsquared2. However, shutting down the red carpet (and Twitter for that matter) was Billy Porter. Walking the carpet in a custom-made Christian Siriano tuxedo gown, Porter turned heads and ended off this awards season with another show-stopping look. Talking about his bold choice Porter said, “When you’re black and you’re gay, one’s masculinity is in question. I dealt with a lot of homophobia in relation to my clothing choices. Now I’m in a space where I’m invited to red carpets and I have something to say through clothes. My goal is to be a walking piece of political art every time I show up, to challenge expectations. What is masculinity? What does that mean?” As a fellow gay man who has also struggled in the past with what it meant to be “male” or “masculine,” I have loved seeing Porter’s red carpet looks this season. If this is fashion moving forward, give me a fabulous tuxedo gown (but make sure mine has a train)!
Back to the awards! Four years after the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag summarized a crucial conversation about a lack of representation in Hollywood, the 91st awards showed a promising look towards a more diverse future in the film industry. Among this year’s winners were multiple awards for both Black Panther and Roma, with ‘Best Picture’ being awarded to Green Book. Diversity was also represented in the acceptance speeches with Rami Malek (in his acceptance speech for ‘Best Actor in a Lead Role’) talking about the need for more diverse stories. “We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life unapologetically himself, and the fact that I’m celebrating him and this story with you tonight, is proof that we’re longing for stories like this. I am the son of immigrants from Egypt. I am a first-generation American and part of my story is being written right now.”
My favorite acceptance speech of the night has to be from the ever so charming Olivia Colman. I don’t think I’m the only one who wanted to jump through the TV and give her a giant hug. Lady Gaga’s speech was also very inspiring and I couldn’t help but get a little choked up as someone who is working towards a career in this industry. “If you are at home, and you’re sitting on your couch, it’s not about winning, but what it’s about is not giving up. If you have a dream, fight for it.” (I hear you Gaga! Thank you!)
Finally, on the subject of Gaga, it would be amiss of me not to mention the STUNNING performance by Gaga and Bradley Cooper. It’s been a beautiful sight to see the friendship that has developed between the two of them. The Oscars allowed for one more glimpse of this wonderful relationship from A Star is Born. It was no doubt in my mind that Shallow would win for ‘Best Original Song’ because the magic between the two of them was electric. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was screaming, “KISS! KISS!” at the TV when they finished singing.
With that, we wrap up another awards season. I’ll be on Instagram cycling through memes of this year’s Oscars (we see you and we love you, Jennifer Hudson!)
