THE OSCARS® “The Oscars” will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will air live on ABC, Hulu and broadcast outlets in more than 200 territories worldwide. (Disney/Frank Micelotta) DOJA CAT, RAYE, & LISA (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images)Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
THE OSCARS® “The Oscars” will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will air live on ABC, Hulu and broadcast outlets in more than 200 territories worldwide. (Disney/Frank Micelotta) DOJA CAT, RAYE, & LISA (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images)Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
The last two months have given us an Oscar season like no other—so it’s only right that the 97th Academy Awards matched that (frankly extreme) level of drama. Going into Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, tensions and anxieties seemed to be at an all-time high: What would become of the acting and best-picture races that still felt too close to call? How would producers balance the need for a fast-paced, entertaining ceremony with honoring those who were on the frontlines of the devastating LA wildfires? And how on earth would the show deal with the presence of Emilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón, whose best-actress campaign imploded in the midst of a shocking scandal?
From the viral red-carpet outings and showstopping musical performances to the most emotional speeches and jaw-dropping twists, these are all the moments you might have missed from the 2025 Oscars.
Sequins reigned supreme
From the more subtle embellishments on Ariana Grande’s Glinda-inspired tulle (not to mention her body glitter) and Zoe Saldaña’s strapless Saint Laurent, to Rachel Sennott’s all-out, Barbie-pink ball gown, Lupita Nyong’o in pearl-encrusted white, Selena Gomez and Emma Stone dripping with crystals, Joe Locke’s embellished waistcoat, Cynthia Erivo’s incredible nails, Coralie Fargeat’s shimmering black frock, Mindy Kaling’s silver floor-skimmer and Wicked star Marissa Bode’s red-hot number, A-listers dazzled on the step and repeat.
Women over 50 didn’t hold back
Fernanda Torres shimmied in her feathered showstopper, Whoopi Goldberg showed up in retina-searing electric blue, a 79-year-old Goldie Hawn wore gold, and Demi Moore shut down the red carpet in a silver, sculpted stunner. While many younger starlets (Elle Fanning, Blackpink’s Lisa, Margaret Qualley, et al) underplayed it with more classic looks, their more experienced colleagues, thankfully, did the opposite.
Ghost co-stars Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg also had a very sweet reunion.
It's a #Ghost reunion! Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg pose for photos together on the carpet at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/hriJ0yJLNS
— Variety (@Variety) March 2, 2025
Halle Berry playfully recreated that wild 2003 kiss with Adrien Brody on the red carpet
Was it, uh, weird when Brody kissed Berry onstage at the 2003 Academy Awards? Absolutely. Was it funny for Berry to reference the moment while greeting Brody on the red carpet at this year’s Oscars? Objectively, yes.
Timothée Chalamet went full pastel-hued Willy Wonka—as only he can
In a sea of dark suits, you could spot the best-actor nominee a mile off in his lemon-colored ensemble—including inside the theater, where he was piling on the PDA with girlfriend Kylie Jenner long before the show even started.
A tribute to LA began the show
The ceremony opened with a montage that served as a love letter to Hollywood, after which supporting-actress nominee Ariana Grande belted “Over the Rainbow.” Full-body chills. As she left the stage, best-actress nominee Cynthia Erivo swept in and crooned “Home,” after which the pair duetted on “Defying Gravity.” It brought the crowd to its feet and was an incredible way to kick things off.
Conan O’Brien tackled the Karla Sofía Gascón issue head-on
After emerging from Demi Moore’s body in a Substance-themed bit, the first-time Oscar host strolled on stage and ripped into everything from The Brutalist’s length to the Catholic Church and his own pay packet before turning to embattled best-actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón. “Anora uses the F word 479 times,” he noted. “That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist. Karla, if you’re going to tweet about the Oscars, remember, my name is Jimmy Kimmel.” The camera then cut awkwardly to the Spanish actress.
Other bizarre moments? An interlude in which O’Brien critiqued Adam Sandler’s ultra-casual attire, and an elaborate musical number about keeping the show’s runtime down in which Deadpool danced and a Dune sandworm played the piano—yes, really, you’re not hallucinating.
Kieran Culkin got real about family planning with his wife Jazz (again)
While accepting his Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in A Real Pain, Kieran Culkin referenced a previous tribute to his wife, Jazz Charton, and their (growing) family that he’d made at the 2024 Emmys, saying:
“I want to tell a really quick story about Jazz. About a year ago I was on a stage like this and I very stupidly, publicly said that I want a third kid from her because she said if I won the award, she would give me the kid. It turns out she said that because she didn’t think I was gonna win, but then people came up to her and were like, you know, really annoying her. I think it got to her, but anyway.
“After the show we’re walking through a parking lot, she’s holding the Emmy, we’re trying to find a car, and she goes, ‘Oh, God, I did say that. I guess I owe you a third kid,’ and I turned to her and I said, ‘Really, I want four.’ And she turned to me, I swear to God this happened, it was just over a year ago, she said, ‘I will give you four when you win an Oscar.’ I held my hand out, she shook it, and I have not brought it up once until just now. You remember that, honey? You do? Then I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith. No pressure. I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again. And let’s get cracking on those kids. What do you say? I love you!”
Aww. Also…wow, I now know a lot about their parenthood journey!
Wicked’s Paul Tazewell made history
The industry fixture, previously nominated for West Side Story, became the first Black man, and only the second Black person after Ruth E. Carter, to win an Oscar for costume design, and he got a very well-deserved standing ovation. “This is everything,” he said, visibly overcome. “Thank you.”
Margaret Qualley, Blackpink’s Lisa, Doja Cat and Raye led a tribute to Bond
The Substance star did her best Marilyn Monroe-in-“Diamonds-Are-a-Girl’s-Best-Friend” to the Bond theme music, after which Blackpink’s Lisa tackled “Live and Let Die”; Doja Cat, dripping in diamonds, took on “Diamonds Are Forever”; and Raye brought it home in spectacular fashion with “Skyfall.” Bravo.
Zoe Saldaña wept
“I am floored by this honor,” the Emilia Pérez actor said as she accepted the prize for best supporting actress. “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands. I’m the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award and I know I won’t be the last—I hope. The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish—my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted.”
Mick Jagger got a roaring standing ovation—as did LA’s brave firefighters
Presenting the statuette for best original song to Emilia Pérez’s “El Mal,” the 81-year-old rockstar swaggered onto the podium, did a Bob Dylan impression (claiming he wasn’t the Academy’s first choice to present), and delighted everyone in attendance. He handed the prize to Camille, who ended her speech by singing until she was played off. Another standing ovation followed soon after for the firefighters who recently battled the LA wildfires—a few of whom read out a series of jokes from the teleprompters.
The Palestinian-Israeli film No Other Land won the Oscar for best documentary
Not only is No Other Land, by Palestinian journalists Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal and Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the highest-grossing Oscar-nominated documentary of the year, but it also now has an Oscar to its name—and that, without securing US distribution.
Gene Hackman and Quincy Jones were honored
Morgan Freeman came out on stage to pay tribute to Hackman, who passed away just last week, ahead of the In Memoriam segment. “He was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work,” Freeman said. “He won the hearts of film lovers all over the world. Gene, you’ll be remembered for that, and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Later in the night, another dearly departed hero was celebrated: Quincy Jones. Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg introduced that segment, in which Queen Latifah belted “Ease on Down the Road” from The Wiz—as Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande danced on the front row. (Domingo also kept the vibes going during the ad breaks.)
Adrien Brody triumphed
Despite Timothée Chalamet’s last-minute surge, The Brutalist star nabbed the best-actor Oscar, as he has done (almost) every other major award. “Thank you, God!” he said. “Acting is a very fragile profession. The one thing that I’ve gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective. No matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away. What makes this night special is the awareness of that and the gratitude I have for the work. Winning an award like this signifies a destination. To me it also… beyond the pinnacle of a career, it is a chance to begin again.” When his speech was interrupted by the music, he also ordered it to be turned off. “I’ve done this before—it’s not my first rodeo.” He got his wish. Touché.
Mikey Madison won a shocking victory over Demi Moore
“This is very surreal,” the Anora actor gasped as she collected the best-actress Oscar, beating the hotly tipped favorite Demi Moore. “I want to again recognize the sex worker community,” she continued. “I will continue to support you and be an ally. All the women I’ve had a chance to meet… it’s been a highlight of this extraordinary experience.” It was a beautiful moment, but it was also difficult not to feel for Moore, who looked quietly heartbroken.
Sean Baker had an exceptional night
Early in the night, the director accepted his first-ever Oscar, for best original screenplay, looking slightly flustered. “This is crazy,” he gushed, before going on to pay tribute to the sex worker community. “My deepest respect,” he added. “I share this with you.” Later, he also picked up the best-editing prize (“I saved this film in the edit!” he joked) and best director, the latter from none other than Quentin Tarantino (“If you didn’t cast Mikey in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, there would be no Anora,” he told the auteur). Baker also spoke passionately about the importance of movie theaters and wished his mother a happy birthday.
Then, at the very end of the night, Baker took best picture, too (from When Harry Met Sally’s Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal). “I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” he said. “Long live independent film!”
This article was originally published on Vogue.com.
