As the Academy Awards approach, excitement fills the air, and I'm positioned in the media room backstage, where all the winners will soon arrive for interviews. The space is expansive and rapidly filling up with journalists eager to capture the moment. While photography is prohibited in this area, I can assure you that the atmosphere is electric, with a buffet being set up that has already caught my eye.
Curious about the buzz surrounding the Best Picture nominees, I’ve been polling fellow journalists. It appears there's a fierce competition this year, with many placing their bets on either Conclave or Anora. Interestingly, one journalist even mentioned The Brutalist as a contender, showcasing the diverse opinions circulating in the room.
Now, let's talk about Amelia Dimoldenberg, the broadcaster and YouTuber who is making waves on the red carpet once again. If you’ve missed her, where have you been? Last year, she served as the official Oscars social media ambassador and red carpet correspondent, a role she clearly excelled in, as she’s back for more this year. Amelia is a sensation on YouTube, particularly known for her series Chicken Shop Date, which has garnered an impressive 27 million hours of watched content.
Her playful and often flirtatious interviewing style makes her a favorite among both fans and celebrities. In recent episodes, she has shared a box of chicken and chips with stars like Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Garfield, and Ryan Reynolds. With a combined following of 14 million across various platforms, her presence at the Oscars is likely to attract a younger audience, making her an asset for the ceremony's organizers.
The LA wildfires in January had a significant impact on this year’s Oscars. The announcement of the Oscar nominations was delayed twice to accommodate those affected by the devastation. Notable figures such as former Oscars host Billy Crystal and Oscar-winners like Jeff Bridges and Sir Anthony Hopkins have lost homes in the fires. In a statement, Oscars CEO Bill Kramer and the Academy’s president, Janet Yang, promised to honor the resilience of the city and its residents during the ceremony, stating, “We will reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry.”
To adapt to this year’s circumstances, there will be changes to how the best song nominees are honored, shifting from live performances to recognizing the songwriters themselves. This decision is still under wraps, leaving many eager to see how it unfolds.
This year also brings a potential for groundbreaking history. Despite numerous nominations for Netflix in the best picture category over the years, the streaming giant is still chasing its first win. This year, its hopes rest on Emilia Pérez, although the film's campaign has faced challenges due to a recent scandal. If Karla Sofía Gascón secures a win for best actress, she will make history as the first trans person to achieve this honor.
In a thrilling twist, this year marks the first time since 1969 that two musicals, Emilia Pérez and Wicked, are nominated for best picture. Additionally, Diane Warren could finally clinch her long-awaited Oscar for songwriting with her 16th nomination for “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight.
Looking back at last year’s Oscars, the Barbenheimer trend had taken the film world by storm, with fans flocking to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer on the same day. This phenomenon undoubtedly rejuvenated interest in the awards. Ultimately, Oppenheimer took home seven Oscars, including best picture, while Barbie, despite being the highest-grossing film of 2023, secured just one win for best original song with Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”
Other notable winners included Poor Things, which won four Oscars, including best actress for Emma Stone, and The Zone of Interest, which claimed two awards, including best international film.
The question on everyone’s mind is: who will win tonight? This year’s competition is less straightforward than last year’s, with no clear standout. Among the ten nominees for best picture, Anora, Conclave, and The Brutalist are all in contention. Interestingly, while Emilia Pérez leads in nominations, the fallout from historic offensive tweets linked to lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón has created uncertainty surrounding its campaign.
In the acting categories, Adrien Brody is favored to win best actor for his role in The Brutalist, though Timothée Chalamet is also a strong contender for A Complete Unknown. The best supporting actress award seems likely to go to Zoe Saldaña for her performance in Emilia Pérez, while Kieran Culkin is expected to win best supporting actor for A Real Pain. The most competitive category appears to be best actress, where Demi Moore in The Substance and Mikey Madison in Anora are both strong contenders.
As we gear up for the Oscars, the excitement is palpable. Stars are about to step onto the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood for the 97th Academy Awards ceremony—Hollywood's biggest night. While the main action on the red carpet will commence shortly, we’re already catching glimpses of celebrities arriving. The ceremony, hosted by the legendary talk show host Conan O’Brien, is set to begin at 7:00 PM ET (00:00 GMT).
With Netflix's Emilia Pérez leading the nominations with 13, alongside top contenders like Wicked, anticipation is high. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates and insights from the red carpet and beyond as the Oscars night unfolds!
