LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 97th Academy Awards have kicked off at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. “Emilia Pérez” leads the pack with 13 Oscar nominations, but “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” are close behind. The 2025 Oscars opened with its biggest musical voices. “Wicked” star Ariana Grande launched into “The Wizard of Oz” classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” following a visual package celebrating the city of Los Angeles.
Here’s the Latest:
Zoe Saldaña wins first Oscar as best supporting actress in ‘Emilia Perez’
Zoe Saldaña has earned her first Academy Award for best supporting actress.
The win Sunday night for her performance in “Emilia Pérez” adds to a collection of successes for the star this awards season. Saldaña won her first Golden Globe in January, and notched wins at the British Academy Film Awards, the Critics Choice Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Saldaña played down-on-her-luck lawyer Rita Castro who is hired by a Mexican drug lord to help facilitate gender-affirming surgery.
The other nominees were Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Isabella Rossellini and Felicity Jones.
James Bond gets a musical tribute from global pop superstars
The Oscars launched into a four-part tribute to James Bond, opening with “The Substance” actor Margaret Qualley and dancers, followed by Blackpink’s LISA serenade of “Live and Let Die,” Doja Cat with “Diamonds Are Forever” and RAYE with “Skyfall.”
The tribute comes on the heels of a shakeup that stirred the film industry: The longtime custodians of the James Bond movies handed over creative control to Amazon MGM in late February. Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $6.1 billion, a purchase that was significantly motivated by the acquisition of one of the movies’ most beloved and long-running franchises.
‘Conclave’ wins Oscar for best adapted screenplay
The papal intrigue film was written by British author-playwright Peter Straughan, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by British novelist Robert Harris.
Both Straughan and Harris are veterans of the thriller genre. Straughan’s other screenplay credits include “The Snowman” and an adaptation of John le Carré‘s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”
Harris’ works — many of them source material for movies — include the World War II novels “Fatherland” and “Enigma” and the Russia-based thriller “Archangel.” He is also known, and somewhat notorious for his 2007 novel, “The Ghost,” a fictionalized critique of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Harris and director Roman Polanski co-wrote a well-regarded adaptation, “The Ghost Writer.”
‘Anora’ wins Oscar for best original screenplay
Sean Baker won the original screenplay Oscar for “Anora,” a comedy-drama about a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, on Sunday at the 97th Academy Awards. The film is the biggest success of Baker’s career. It had a $6 million budget and has earned over $40 million at the box officer.
“Anora” beat “A Real Pain,″ “The Brutalist,” “The Substance” and “September 5.”
The film had been widely considered a contender for best picture at the Academy Awards, alongside other categories including best actress for its lauded young star.
‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’ wins Oscar for best animated short film
Iranian filmmakers Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi won their first Academy Award for “In the Shadow of the Cypress.” It was the second Iranian animated or live-action short film nominated at the Oscars and the first to win. Animation is often thought of as childlike, fun and creative in nature, but it can also elicit deep emotion: “In the Shadow of the Cypress” takes a creative and artistic approach to the relationship between a father, an old former captain who is dealing with PTSD, and his daughter. The short also won best animated short at the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival.
Kieran Culkin wins best supporting actor, completing his sweep
Kieran Culkin won the Oscar for best supporting actor Sunday at the 97th Academy Awards, completing a sweep of the category that followed his dominance in television awards last season.
The award, for portraying the chaotic but endearing Benji in Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain”, marked his first win and nomination.
Conan O’Brien gets Oscars off to a snarky start
Host Conan O’Brien got the show and his monologue off to a start filled with his usual sarcastic humor.
O’Brien poked fun at the Oscars, Hollywood’s biggest night “which starts at 4 in the afternoon.” He also poked fun at himself. “I know what you’re thinking: ‘Did Conan not have work done? Seriously. He looks his age.’” And he jabbed at Netflix for having price increases.
He also implored the Oscar audience to sit down — after not getting a standing ovation.
A “Wicked”-ly fun opening
The 2025 Oscars opened with its biggest musical voices. “Wicked” star Ariana Grande launched into “The Wizard of Oz” classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” following a visual package celebrating the city of Los Angeles.
She ditched her usual Glinda pink for a ruby red gown, channeling Dorothy’s iconic shoes. She was followed by Elphaba herself, Cynthia Erivo, nailing “Home” from the “The Wiz.” (The late Quincy Jones supervised the adaptation of songs from the Broadway musical for the 1978 film starring Michael Jackson.) Then Grande and Erivo teamed up for a dynamic duet of “Defying Gravity.” And yes, they hit the note.
How does Oscar voting work?
There are about 10,500 global members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Some are actors, some directors, some editors, some costume designers, some hair and makeup people … you get the idea.
In 22 of the 23 categories, it’s a simple system: The nominee with the most votes wins. Easy. Voting is done online, ballots are not released publicly and only two partners at PricewaterhouseCoopers know the winners before they are revealed to the world.
For best picture, the system is different: enter ranked choice voting. Voters rank the nominees in order and the film getting 50% or more of the vote is the winner.
Here’s where it gets confusing, so we’ll let the academy explain it in its own words: “If one movie doesn’t get 50% out of the gate, the one with the fewest votes is eliminated, and the members who voted for that as their top choice have their votes added to the film that was next on their list.
“What happens if their second choice was the one that was eliminated? Well, their votes then go to their third choice, and so on. That process continues until one movie gets 50% or more of all the votes.”
Demi Moore stops for a Ghost reunion
Demi Moore was making a beeline through the red carpet, waving to fans but also walking with purpose.
The one person she stopped for? Her “Ghost” costar Whoopi Goldberg.
The two clasped hands and chatted for a few moments before Moore continued on.
Guy Pearce wears ‘Free Palestine’ pin
“The Brutalist” actor Guy Pearce showed up wearing a “FREE PALESTINE” pin featuring a white dove and a gold branch. The award show comes as Israel stopped the entry of all food and other supplies into Gaza on Sunday.
Pearce, who has expressed his support throughout the awards season with various pins, said “It’s the least we can do.”
“I’m just always on the case of trying to recognize Palestine and it having as much support as it possibly can because it’s what it absolutely needs.”
‘No Other Land’ barely mentioned in Israeli media
“No Other Land,” a documentary about the Israeli destruction of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, has barely been mentioned in Israel outside of scattered coverage in the country’s left-wing media. It’s a stark shift from other Israeli films that are nominated for an Oscar, which usually receive boastful accolades in the run-up to the awards ceremony. But the country is still reeling from the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with dozens of hostages still in captivity, and the devastating war, the longest intensive combat in Israeli history, which killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and 2,000 Israelis.
The timing is simply too sensitive, said Raya Morag, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who specializes in cinema and trauma.
“Everyone is in mourning or in trauma, we can hardly hear any other voice on any other subject,” she said. Morag, who is part of the left-wing peace movement, said she believes there will be a place for this film, made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, in the future discourse, but only after the hostages have returned, the destroyed homes have been rebuilt, a new election is held to replace the current right-wing government, and the country goes through a “collective mourning process.”
She noted that the documentary film “Five Broken Cameras,” which documented life in a Palestinian village along the Israeli security fence, became part of a national conversation because it was released in 2012, during a relatively peaceful period between outbursts of active conflict.
“No Other Land” has also struggled in the U.S., where it could not find a distributor despite a litany of accolades.
Brandi Carlile talks about working and writing with Elton John
Brandi Carlile is a first-time Oscar nominee, having written “Never Too Late” with Elton John. The big-hearted anthem, which serves as a title track for the documentary about his life, is up for best original song.
“He didn’t ask, I sort of solicited myself,” she joked to the AP on the red carpet about their collaboration.
“I watched the documentary, and I was really taken aback by the fact that I felt that it was going to sort of force Elton to sit and self-reflect in a really important way, that he doesn’t normally do, you know? I wanted to take in those good things about himself, all those wonderful things about himself. And I wanted to write a lyric that did what I felt the documentary did, which was for him to look in a mirror and say, ‘You know, you’re an iron man, baby.’”
EGOT Watch: Cynthia Erivo
She’s not expected to win best actress for “Wicked,” but if there’s an upset, Cynthia Erivo could become the 22nd person to enter the EGOT club tonight.
Her Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards all stemmed from her role in the Broadway musical of “The Color Purple.” It’s her third Oscar nomination since.
Erivo is also performing on the show and she’s hosting the Tonys in June.
The songwriting duo of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul became the most recent EGOT winners when they won an Emmy last year. Elton John, already an EGOT, is also nominated in the best song category.
Fashion statements carry a political message
As stars arrived on the red carpet, some added messaging to their ensembles. Swedish singer and actor Kayo Shekoni lifted up her black heel to reveal the words “free Congo” on the red carpet, advocating for the conflict-ridden African nation.
“Conclave” writer Peter Straughan showed his support for Ukraine with a Ukrainian flag pin accent on his tuxedo.
“Just to say, let’s not turn our backs on Ukraine,” he told Variety’s Marc Malkin.
The pin caries extra significance after a tense meeting unfolded between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance Friday.
The team behind best documentary nominee “Porcelain War,” the story of Ukrainian artists who trade their paintbrushes for guns to fight against the Russian invasion, also sported Ukrainian flag pins.
Jeff Goldblum blooms on red carpet
Actor Jeff Goldblum added a floral arrangement to his off-white tuxedo jacket lapel, in a play off his last name.
Orchids adorned the “Wicked” star’s Prada look that he paired with a colorful floral button up and a black bow tie. His signature glasses were tinted green. Goldblum previously walked for the Prada runway in 2022.
Mission: Possible for June Squibb
June Squibb had no time to spare. She made a grand entrance to the red carpet in sequined florals, being pushed with purpose in a wheelchair.
“There’s June!” someone said, trying to get her attention, but she was already too far away.
“Oh well, she’s on a mission,” another shrugged.
Just like “Thelma.”
Meet the creator of ‘Johanne Sacreblu,’ Mexico’s joyous revenge against ‘Emilia Pérez’
“Emilia Pérez” is not exactly popular in Mexico, where it’s been met largely with indifference or negativity. Instead, Mexico has rallied around “Johanne Sacreblu,” a protest parody from trans filmmaker Camila D. Aurora.
The short film has amassed more than 3 million YouTube views, and was even shown in cinemas with a red carpet event.
Aurora was curious about “Emilia Perez,” but since the film didn’t premiere until very late in the awards season in Mexico, she had to watch it (first) using a pirated link. She didn’t like it at all, finding its trans and Mexican representation derogatory and problematic.
So she took to TikTok with a pitch: The trans heirs of two millionaire French feuding families, Johanne Sacreblu and Agtugo Ratatouille (performed by Aurora and the Yeylán Torres, respectively), fall in love in the middle of their battle to decide if the croissant or the baguette is the ultimate French bread.
Her followers suggested she fundraise. Aurora collected around $1,700 (35,000 Mexican pesos). She composed and recorded the songs for the 28-minute musical, which premiered the same weekend as “Emilia Perez” did in Mexico. It notched 1 million viewers in just three days.
“We were the ant that faced the giant, it’s very incredible,” Aurora told The Associated Press. “I was doing activism, and my activism began the moment I gathered 50 people using only TikTok videos who came together to work two, three days, many hours, just for the pleasure of laughing about this film that a few days ago only made them angry.”
The film has collected double its original budget. She’s donated part of the profits to two organizations, the feminist group Las Hijas de Mayahuel, which advocates for dignified menstrual health and provides medical care as well as the Grupo Nacional de Búsqueda, a collective of organizations of relatives of disappeared people in Mexico.
And, soon, expect a part two.
“Like A Bird” from “Sing Sing” mints two first-time Oscar nominees
Abraham Alexander and Black Pumas’ Adrian Quesada, who composed “Like A Bird” for “Sing Sing,” are up for best original song this year. It marks their first ever Academy Award nominations. But because the nominees in that category won’t perform in 2025, they won’t hit the stage with the likes of 16-nominee Diane Warren or Elton John.
“We would love to share the stage with Elton John and so forth. But what’s a performance if it’s not for people to share? What’s a song if ears can’t hear it?” Alexander said on the red carpet. “We heard they wanted to honor people that were affected by the fires and we were here while it was happening. So, we’re about people. And whichever way we can elevate people’s humanity and human experience, we’re all about.”
Elsewhere in Los Angeles: Timothée Chalamet’s look-alikes vie for a look-alike Oscar
Two of Timothée Chalamet’s lookalikes — yes, those lookalikes — spent the weekend in Los Angeles filming an advertisement for New York hairdresser Sergio Slavnov’s Avenue Man hair care brand.
Miles Mitchell and Zander Dueve placed first and second in the October contest hosted by YouTuber Anthony Po. Flown out from New York and Atlanta by Slavnov to work on the campaign, Mitchell and Dueve spent part of Friday on Rodeo Drive filming the campaign.
“It’s just the gift that keeps on giving, and it just keeps proving to be that,” Dueve said, dressed as Chalamet’s “Dune” character Paul Atreides. “Every now and again, I’m like, okay, five minutes up and then I’m like, oh, okay — there’s another thing, and then another thing, and then Miles and I are coming here.”
Mitchell reprised the thrifted “Wonka” costume that won him the contest. In his briefcase this time? Hair products — and a 3D-printed Oscar statuette.
Clarence Maclin’s joyful Oscar debut
“Sing Sing” star and co-writer Clarence Maclin was joyful on the red carpet at his first Oscars.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “The honor of being with people I’ve been watching my whole life? I don’t feel like I’m in competition; I feel like I’m with the best in class.”
Maclin still has one person on his wish list to meet: Denzel Washington.
Bowen Yang bounds down the red carpet
Bowen Yang was among the earlier celebrities to arrive. Excited and dancing his way through the carpet, he blew kisses to fans. His “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater was close behind, perhaps less excited for the spotlight: “No thanks,” he said to a passing photographer looking to take a snap. Fans asked him who he would text first if “Wicked” won: “My sister,” he said.
The Associated Press
