Daniel Kaluuya and director Chloé Zhao made history at this year’s Oscars.
After what has felt like the longest awards season in history, we have made it to the Oscars. After multiple glitch-infested award shows and unbelievable snubs, the red carpet in the converted LA’s Union Station rolled out for the final time this year and we were treated to a star-studded night.
Held in person, the show saw the likes of Zendaya, Regina King and Riz Ahmed walk the unusually sparse red carpet, while others tuned in virtually from London, Paris and Sydney. As the nominees took to their seats in the hall, Oscar-winning actress Regina King opened the show on a political note, referencing the conviction of Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd, as she said, “If things had gone any different in Minneapolis, I might have traded in my heels for marching boots.” As the show got underway with various hosts taking to the stage, it became clear that the Oscars took note of other failing virtual award shows and put on a specular show.
For all the best moments, keep on scrolling.
Chloé Zhao made history – again!
If there is one true winner of 2021, it’s Chloé Zhao. Making a clean sweep through this award season, picking up multiple Best Director and Best Picture awards, Zhao has been making history at each one for leading the females and people of colour – and she did it again last night. Having accepted awards virtually all season, the director took to the stage on Sunday night in person, picking up trophies for Best Director and Best Picture for Nomadland. The slow-burning drama has caught the attention of the whole world for it’s compelling storytelling and cinematography, and we couldn’t be more proud of the director.
Daniel Kaluuya thanked his parents for doing the dirty
At every award show over the past six months, Daniel Kaluuya has been providing the heartwarming content that we just can’t get enough of. From calling out the Golden Globes to showing off his home library at the BAFTAs, the Judas and the Black Messiah actor has been serving and for the Oscars, the star took an interesting turn. Picking up his first-ever Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, Kaluuya took to the stage to pick up his award in person and went down the usual list of thanks and appreciation, but not before thanking his parents for having sex and conceiving him. Thanking his mom – who was in the BFI audience – the star said, “My mum met my dad, they had sex, it’s amazing. I’m here. I’m so happy to be alive so I’m going to celebrate that tonight.” We’re happy you were born too, Kaluuya.
Yuh-Jung Youn told the people about themselves
After last night, we’re officially Yuh-Jung Youn stans. From calling the British people snobs at the BAFTAs to taking a selfie with Brad Pitt, the star has been making waves throughout this award season – and she did it again last night. Making history for becoming the first South Korean actress to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Yuh-Jung Youn gracefully took to the stage and told us all that we have been pronouncing her name wrong this entire time. Correctly stating how to pronounce after various outlets have been mispronouncing and spelling her name wrong the entire season, the actress went on to charm viewers with her humble thanks and down to earth personality.
Glenn Close put on an impromptu dance masterclass to “Da Butt”
If we’re going to be real, when we first saw this we thought it was a glitch in the simulation, because we had no words to what we just witnessed. Through long drawn-out speeches and nominee readings, Glen Close saw the opportunity to spice up the award ceremony with impromptu dance that has now become the new award show meme. Almost three long hours into the show, presenter Lil Rel Howery decided to play a game of trivia with guess that song. As the DJ spun the 1988 single, the actress leapt out of her seat on queue and boldly demonstrated the sexual dance – and thus, the meme was born.
The award show was once again labelled as whitewashed
Every year, each award show promises more diversity and inclusion for films and stars, and while some champion POC and minority contenders to give them their flowers, others often do the bare minimum to recognise those deserving – and the Oscars this year was labelled as the latter. While Black and Asian talent did receive trophies for Best Director and Best Supporting Actor, eyebrows were raised as stars such as Andra Day, Regina King, Steve Yeun and Viola Davis were not recognised in other categories. Questions were also raised as the late Chadwick Boseman – who was tipped to take home Best Actor for Ma Reiny – failed to pick up an award. While we celebrate those who were recognised, questions are once again being raised to the academy.
If there is one thing we couldn’t get enough of during the ceremony was the ultimate couple goals that Riz Ahmed and his wife Fatima Farheen Mirza. Posing on the red carpet, the Sound of Metal actor took a moment to touch up his wife’s hair for a quick photo op. The adorable moment unfortunately wasn’t captured by many photographers, but the little clip we did get made us smile.
