The Academy Awards returned to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles this year with many memorable moments, to say the least.
Among incredible moments in filmmaking achievement, there was an altercation on live television – which we address in this piece but we aren’t including that moment as a GIF.
Here’s what you missed:
1. Tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams opened the show by introducing Beyoncé for a performance of “Be Alive,” which was nominated for best original song. It appeared in the movie “King Richard,” which portrays the Williams sisters’ upbringing in Compton.
2. Hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes brought politics into the monologue, addressing Florida’s new so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill by dancing around repeating, “gay, gay, gay.”
“We’re going to have a great night tonight, and for you people in Florida, we’re going to have a gay night,” said Sykes.
3. The song “Dos Oruguitas” from the movie “Encanto” was brought to life in a performance by Sebastián Yatra and a pair of dancers.
4. Presenter and fellow actor Youn Yuh-jung held deaf actor Troy Kotsur’s trophy for best supporting actor in “CODA,” so his hands were free to use sign language for his acceptance speech.
leave Youn Yuh-jung alone! this moment was immense respect for somebody doing an acceptance speech in sign language (two hands needed), not an attempt at stealing an Oscar as a joke? pic.twitter.com/JGemw2quFh
— Chanelvomit (@chanelvomit_) March 28, 2022
5. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” from the Oscar-nominated film “Encanto,” was performed by the cast – and rapper Megan Thee Stallion joined them to remix the song with her own verse.
“Every day, all the kids want to hear is ‘Bruno.’ Bruno this, Bruno that,” she rapped.
6. Will Smith slapped Chris Rock live on stage at the Oscars. Yes, you read that correctly. Read the rundown of what happened here, which overshadowed the night. This is Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith reacting in the moments before as Rock made a joke about her.
7. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson teared up during his acceptance speech for best Documentary Feature for “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised).”
“This is not about me,” he said. “This is about marginalized people in Harlem that need to heal from pain.”
8. Cast members from the film “Pulp Fiction” reunited and did a little dancing for its 28th anniversary. Uma Thurman, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson received a standing ovation as they took the stage.
9. Will Smith won Best Actor for “King Richard” shortly after his altercation with Chris Rock. He teared up on stage and apologized to the Academy and fellow nominees, but not Rock.
10. “CODA” won best picture and the crowd used sign language for the word “applause” in response to close out the evening.
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