LOS ANGELES — At the Vanity Fair Oscars party, there’s an unspoken rule: when the flash bulbs start popping and a crowd rushes to the front, it usually means an Oscar winner has arrived. This was certainly the case when Sean Baker made an unforgettable entrance, flanked by four Oscars for his film “Anora”. His remarkable achievement of winning best picture, best director, best editing, and best original screenplay made him the first filmmaker to secure such a historic haul for a single film.
As Baker walked into the room, it felt like a sinkhole had opened, drawing in every attendee who eagerly lifted their cellphone cameras to capture the moment. Among the crowd were comedians Nate Bargatze and his longtime friend Nic Novicki, who had known Baker long before his directorial debut. Despite his multiple Oscars, Baker struggled to keep track of his trophies, only able to carry two at a time while his friends and wife, producer Samantha Quan, assisted with the others. Quan proudly cradled her own best picture Oscar, while Baker’s former assistant, Alex Coco, helped with the rest. They soon joined Mikey Madison, who had just won best actress, for a celebratory hug.
As the “Anora” team congregated at a banquette, excitement filled the air with at least seven Oscars circulating among the group. The chaotic energy was palpable, with Baker’s best director Oscar temporarily held by The Washington Post after it was handed off, only for the guardian to forget it was with them. “One, two, three — oh my god, where’s the fourth one?” a publicist fretted, reflecting the overwhelming atmosphere of the evening. Baker himself appeared blissfully unaware of the chaos, basking in the joy of the moment as he prepared to head to Madonna’s afterparty.
Before Baker’s arrival, the non-Oscar-winning celebrities enjoyed their moment in the spotlight. Cynthia Erivo captivated attendees in a chic pale blue toga and towering stilettos, drawing admiration after her powerful performance with Ariana Grande. Cara Delevingne gushed, “You were so good, I cried SO MUCH,” as she introduced Erivo to her girlfriend Minke. Elle Fanning then joined the duo, creating a vibrant chain of admiration that flowed through the party.
As the night progressed, Zoe Saldaña, the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar, posed with her award while enjoying an In-N-Out burger. Gayle King excitedly rallied a group of selfie-seekers, including Mark Hamill, who wanted a photo with Erivo for his daughter’s sake. Meanwhile, Erivo’s partner, Lena Waithe, held her phone, rolling her eyes affectionately at Erivo’s frequent requests for it back.
Elsewhere in the venue, Sarah Paulson commanded attention in a stunning red Marc Jacobs dress, which was so voluminous that guests had to step aside to accommodate her. “If I fall down, I’ll fall right on my face and it’ll be okay,” she joked with a curious bystander. Dresses that required extra space seemed to be the trend of the night.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the Vanity Fair party was also a platform for philanthropy. Following the devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires, the event continued to support two vital charities: the Motion Picture & Television Fund and Baby2Baby. The former provides emergency assistance to industry members affected by the fires, while the latter supplies families and children in need.
The dance floor was alive with energy, featuring a surprise appearance from Lil Nas X, who entertained the crowd with impressive dance moves. Meanwhile, Conan O’Brien relaxed after his hosting duties, towering over the attendees. On the patio, Colman Domingo showcased his style in a corseted Dolce & Gabbana suit, proclaiming it his “Shut it down! Goodnight, Oscars!” outfit.
The following day, Domingo expressed a desire for comfort food after the glamorous night, while Michael Urie, arriving from the Elton John party, navigated through the crowd solo after being dropped off by his co-star. A humorous yet poignant moment occurred when a protester made their way into the party, carrying a sign that read, “Stop feeding fires! Vegan In-N-Meat Out!” showcasing the contrast between the glamour inside and the issues outside.
As the night drew to a close, the energy began to wane, and attendees started to depart. Lol Crawley, the Oscar-winning cinematographer, showcased his jubilance by holding his trophy high as he skipped toward his waiting car, declaring, “I am invincible!” and embracing the unforgettable night.
