The 97th annual Academy Awards returned to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, March 2. Conan O’Brien hosted the show for the first time in Oscar’s history. Here are some of the top moments that got people talking on social media.
Memorable performances between awards
The Oscars kicked off with a medley of songs performed by “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Rumors about the performance had been circulating online for weeks, and the combination of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” from the “Wizard of Oz,” “Home” from “The Wiz” and “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked” definitely exceeded expectations.
There was another medley of the night featuring popstars Lisa of k-pop group Blackpink, Doja Cat and Raye performing some of the lead tracks from the James Bond franchise “Live and Let Die,” “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Skyfall.”
“The Wiz” made a splash later in the show when Queen Latifah performed “Ease on Down the Road” to honor the late Quincy Jones who was the music producer for the film.
The comedian’s get the last laugh
From the moment Conan O’Brien took the stage for his opening monologue, it was apparent to both viewers at home and those inside the Dolby Theatre that the crowd was on his side and ready to laugh. He came through with what many have come to expect from comedians who host award shows: some edgy jokes here and there, poking fun at the nominees, and setting up what viewers can expect for the evening.
He provided a few more fun bits throughout the show, including a PR pivot to bring people back to movie theaters by pitching it as “CinemaStreams.” The sketch had O’Brien selling movie watchers on the concept of a “building for movies,” telling them, “we took 800 smartphones and glued them all together and made one giant smartphone.” The video also included a surprise cameo from director Martin Scorsese who ended the bit by telling potential customers to “Tell them Marty sent you.”
But O’Brien wasn’t the only star to get major laughs throughout the evening. “Saturday Night Live” and “Wicked” star Bowen Yang was one of five actors to present the best costume design category, but unlike his fellow presenters, he was the only one to do so in the costume from the film. Yang joked with fellow presenters, including John Lithgow, that they could have informed him in the group chat ahead of time that they had all decided to bail on the idea.
SEE ALSO: Oscars 2025: Kieran Culkin wins first award, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo pay ‘Oz’ tribute
Historical wins
Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win the best costume design category for his work in “Wicked.” Zoe Saldana became the first Dominican-American actor to win an Academy Award after winning best supporting actress for her role in “Emilia Perez.” “I’m Still Here,” won best international film, giving Brazil’s first Oscar win in the category.
When Harry reunited with Sally
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan of “When Harry Met Sally” reunited on the Dolby Theatre stage to present the final award of the night, Best Picture. Crystal even made a nod to the film by putting a fun spin on one of its famous lines, “because when you have a chance to be an Oscar winner for the rest of your life, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Unexpected win leaves viewers feeling robbed
Throughout this year’s award season, Demi Moore has taken a few of the best actress category awards for her role in “The Substance,” leaving many to think that she was a shoo-in for the Academy Award. However, the award went to breakout star Mikey Madison for her role in “Anora.”
Madison expressed her gratitude in her acceptance speech, sharing that she “grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here standing in this room today is really incredible.”
Many viewers expressed mixed feelings online, with one user stating “Look, OK….I Love Mickey Madison, but DEMI MOORE WAS ROBBED.” Another user chimed in with a more optimistic view, “On the bright side Demi Moore won many awards this season and she got introduced to a new younger audience of people and I’m really hoping good scripts stack up on her desk and she just keeps getting amazing opportunities!”