The latest Oscars 2024 extravaganza delivered over three hours of glitz, emotion, and even a hint of risqué moments. Some of the most unforgettable moments from Hollywood’s grandest night is highlighted in this article.
It was “Kenough” alright!
Anticipation filled the air, but Ryan Gosling’s spirited rendition of the Barbie movie’s hit “I’m Just Ken” exceeded all expectations. Positioned just behind his Barbie co-star Margot Robbie, Gosling’s performance had her in fits of laughter as he serenaded her.
Dressed in a striking all-pink tuxedo, Gosling took center stage, accompanied by a troupe of cowboy-hat-wearing Kens. Their choreographed routine injected a burst of energy into the evening, transforming it into an electrifying concert. And to top it off, Slash made a surprise appearance, adding his mesmerizing guitar solo to the mix.
Hints of homage to “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” infused the choreography, captivating the star-studded front row. Energetic singalongs ensued, with even best actress winner Emma Stone and Barbie’s director, Greta Gerwig, joining in. Stone’s enthusiasm led to a minor wardrobe malfunction, but she took it in stride, joking backstage about being “sewed back in” after the excitement of Gosling’s performance left her breathless.
Tested and True: Kimmel’s Hosting Legacy
Jimmy Kimmel made a triumphant return to the Dolby Theatre, marking his fourth stint as host of the Oscars. His seasoned expertise was evident as he kicked off the evening with a nod to the recent strikes that had gripped Hollywood, acknowledging the resilience of actors and writers in securing a deal.
In his signature style, Kimmel injected humor into the proceedings, quipping about the newfound security for actors post-agreement: “No longer do actors have to fear being replaced by AI; now it’s back to worrying about younger, more attractive replacements.”
One of the night’s memorable moments came when Kimmel engaged in a humorous exchange with Donald Trump on social media platform Truth Social. Responding to Trump’s critique of his hosting skills, Kimmel retorted on stage, “Isn’t it past your jail time?” The exchange quickly went viral, adding to the evening’s entertainment.
However, not all of Kimmel’s jokes hit the mark. A jest aimed at Robert Downey Jr’s past struggles with substance abuse fell flat with the audience, prompting even Downey Jr himself to signal for Kimmel to wrap it up.
Interestingly, Downey Jr notably abstained from attending the winners’ room to address the press, a move he had also made at the Baftas. Perhaps, as some speculate, he simply marches to the beat of his own drum, earning him the reputation of being too cool for the traditional post-win interviews.
The Israel-Gaza conflict persists.
Reminder: My knowledge is up to date only until January 2022, and I cannot provide information or opinions on terrorist organizations. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Now, let’s rewrite the provided text:
“Hollywood Streets Swarmed with Protests Against Israel-Gaza Conflict”
Demonstrators flooded the streets of Hollywood, protesting against Israel’s war in Gaza. Their presence caused traffic congestion and delayed the arrival of several celebrities. Chanting “ceasefire now,” protesters marched along Sunset Boulevard amid the blaring of car horns, while the Los Angeles police monitored the situation in riot gear.
Inside the ceremony, notable figures such as Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo, and Ramy Youssef displayed red pins in solidarity with Artists4Ceasefire, advocating for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. These pins, endorsed by Artists4Ceasefire, symbolized the collective plea from entertainment industry professionals urging President Biden to intervene for peace.
Israeli-American Marvel Entertainment founder Avi Arad wore a yellow ribbon to raise awareness about hostages still held by Hamas since the October 7 attack on Israel. The conflict’s impact also reverberated on the Oscars stage as British director Jonathan Glazer accepted the Best International Film award for “The Zone of Interest,” a film depicting the domestic life of a Nazi officer and his family. Glazer, who is Jewish, expressed his rejection of the exploitation of Jewish identity and the Holocaust in conflicts, emphasizing the need to resist the dehumanization of innocent victims caught in the ongoing violence between Israel and Gaza.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph evokes tears of emotion.
The Oscars delighted many devoted fans this year with a return to a classic presentation style, featuring past winners announcing nominees for the four acting categories. These intimate tributes provided heartfelt moments from the stars.
One standout moment was when Da’Vine Joy Randolph was visibly moved to tears by Lupita Nyong’o’s touching introduction. Moments later, Randolph herself brought tears to our eyes as she graciously accepted the award for Best Supporting Actress, her first win after her initial nomination.
In her heartfelt speech, Randolph expressed disbelief in pursuing acting as a career and thanked the audience for recognizing her authenticity. Backstage, she emphasized the importance of supporting creatives from underrepresented backgrounds, highlighting the power of imagination and creativity, especially within the Black community, to make the most out of limited resources. She described it as a superpower that fuels resilience and innovation.
John Cena: A Memorable Moment at the Oscars
This year’s Oscars will be remembered for an unforgettable presentation by John Cena. Encouraged by Kimmel, Cena, known for his roles as a wrestler and actor, took the stage in a bold fashion – completely nude except for a pair of Birkenstocks and a strategically positioned envelope containing the winner’s name.
Amidst uproarious laughter from the audience, Cena made his entrance, engaging in a humorous exchange with Kimmel, marking one of the evening’s standout moments. “The male body is not supposed to be funny,” Cena remarked. To which Kimmel quipped, “Mine is.”
Al Pacino’s Unforgettable Announcement
The tension in the room peaked towards the end of the ceremony with an unexpected moment involving Al Pacino. Reminiscent of the infamous Moonlight/La La Land mix-up in 2017, Pacino’s hesitation before announcing “Oppenheimer” as the best picture winner sent a collective gasp through the auditorium.
The audience held their breath as Pacino delivered the announcement with an air of casualness, causing a wave of relief to wash over the attendees. Fortunately, no one rushed to rectify the situation, sparing the audience from further drama.
Outstanding Canine Performance
Anatomy of a Fall, a contender for Best Picture, introduced audiences to its breakout star: Messi, the black-and-white border collie portraying Snoop the dog in the French courtroom drama.
After days of anticipation, Messi made a grand entrance at the ceremony, occupying a plush red seat adorned with a stylish black bow-tie.
Later in the evening, Messi received well-deserved screen time as the camera captured him enthusiastically applauding Robert Downey Jr.’s win for Best Supporting Actor. Gosling’s delight at reuniting with Messi, whom he had previously met at the Oscars Luncheon, was palpable.
