Depraved co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo opened the 97th annual Academy Awards with a jaw-dropping medley paying tribute to the world of The Wizard Of Oz.
Grande kicked off the efficiency with a shocking rendition of Judy Garland’s Someplace Over The Rainbow from the basic 1939 movie.
The Grammy Award-winner, 31, wowed the star-studded viewers along with her unimaginable vocal talents.
However it was a ‘tiny element’ on Grande’s glittering pink ballgown that despatched followers wild as they tuned into the awards ceremony on ABC.
As a transparent homage to Dorothy’s iconic footwear, the singer’s customized Schiaparelli robe had a ruby slipper adorned to the again of it.
Followers bought an enormous kick out of the Wizard Of Oz ‘easter egg’ — with many calling the sparkly addition ‘good.’
Depraved co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo opened the 97th annual Academy Awards with a jaw-dropping medley paying tribute to the world of The Wizard Of Oz
Grande kicked off the efficiency with a shocking rendition of Judy Garland’s Someplace Over The Rainbow from the basic 1939 movie
However it was a ‘tiny element’ on Grande’s glittery pink ballgown that despatched the singer’s followers wild as they tuned into the awards ceremony on ABC
After delivering her Someplace Over The Rainbow cowl, Grande handed the mic to Erivo — who, like Grande, is nominated for an Oscar.
The Tony Award-winner carried out Residence from the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz, which was later became a movie famously starring Michael Jackson.
Erivo glittered underneath the stage lights contained in the Dolby Theatre in a billowing white robe decked out with glitzy 3D floral decals up and down the corset bodice.
The proficient duo then launched into Depraved’s Defying Gravity as Grande and Erivo got here collectively, holding fingers.
A visibly emotional Grande then stepped to the facet to permit Erivo the highlight as she took over the ultimate half of the epic quantity.
The viewers erupted with applause as Erivo effortlessly hit the enduring last word in Defying Gravity whereas standing on a rising platform.
Depraved followers flocked to social media to reward the ‘highly effective’ and ‘unimaginable’ opening efficiency — with some calling it ‘one of the best efficiency of the yr.’
‘That was simply lovely — an unimaginable opening act,’ one Oscars viewer tweeted on X.
One other penned that the efficiency was ‘stirring’ and that it alone ought to assure each Grande and Erivo their Oscars.
It introduced many ‘to tears’ as they remarked on the ’emotion’ between Erivo and Grande, who grew extraordinarily shut whereas filming the blockbuster musical.
As a transparent homage to Dorothy’s iconic footwear, the singer’s customized Schiaparelli robe had a ruby slipper adorned to the again of it
Judy Garland seen sporting Dorothy’s ruby pink slippers in The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
Grande then handed the mic to Erivo, who carried out Residence from the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz
Erivo glittered underneath the stage lights contained in the Dolby Theatre in a billowing white robe decked out with glitzy 3D floral decals up and down the bodice
The proficient duo then launched into Depraved’s Defying Gravity as Grande and Erivo
The proficient duo then launched into Depraved’s Defying Gravity as Grande and Erivo got here collectively, holding fingers
The 97th Academy Awards are honoring one of the best movies of 2024, with the star-studded ceremony being held on the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Conan O’Brien, 61, is making his debut as Oscars host, after joking: ‘I solely agreed to host in order that I may get invited.’
This yr’s ceremony has an unusually unsettled subject in lots of the most high-profile classes, together with greatest image and many of the performing classes.
Emilia Pérez leads the nominations this yr with 13, together with for greatest image, actress (for Karla Sofía Gascón), supporting actress (for Zoe Saldaña), director (for Jacques Audiard), tailored screenplay and unique track.
Gascón stars because the title character, a former Mexican drug lord who comes out as a transgender lady and fakes her personal demise to be able to reinvent herself as a pro-social power, whereas Saldaña performs an ethically challenged lawyer who helps arrange her new id.
The Brutalist landed in second place with 10 nominations, together with for greatest image, director (for Brady Corbet), actor (for Adrien Brody), supporting actor (for Man Pearce), supporting actress (for Felicity Jones), and unique screenplay.
Brody stars as a Jewish Hungarian architect who immigrates to the US after surviving the Holocaust. The epic historic drama follows his character László Tóth’s makes an attempt to comprehend his artistic imaginative and prescient even because it conflicts with the petty wishes of his rich benefactor (Pearce).
Depraved tied it for 10 nominations, together with for greatest image, actress (for Cynthia Erivo), and supporting actress (for Ariana Grande).
The blockbuster musical is an adaptation of solely the primary half of the musical of the identical title, a reimagined prequel to The Wizard Of Ozstarring Erivo as Elphaba, future Depraved Witch of the West, and Grande as Galinda Upland, who turns into Glinda the Good
A visibly emotional Grande then stepped to facet stage to permit Erivo the highlight as she took over the ultimate half of the epic quantity
The co-stars carried out the medley on an epic set with a reside orchestra
Depraved followers flocked to social media to reward the ‘highly effective’ and ‘unimaginable’ opening efficiency — with some calling it ‘one of the best efficiency of the yr’
Different greatest photos nominees embrace Anora, A Full Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Half Two, I am Nonetheless Right here, Nickel Boys and The Substance.
The carefully watched race for greatest actor in a number one function bought a serious shakeup only a week earlier than the Oscars on the Display screen Actors Guild Awards, when Timothée Chalamet scored a shock win for his Bob Dylan biopic A Full Unknown.
Previous to that win, Brody was seemingly the favourite after successful greatest actor awards on the New York Movie Critics Circle Awards, the BAFTAs, the Golden Globes and the Critics Alternative Film Awards.
Ralph Fiennes has additionally doggedly stayed within the operating for his function as a British Cardinal struggling to maintain a secretive papal election from dissolving into competitors and intrigue.
The critically acclaimed movie has scored a number of actor wins at smaller ceremonies and festivals for Fiennes, in addition to a number of awards for your entire performing ensemble, which Fiennes has accepted on a couple of event.
These three co-frontrunners are competing towards Colman Domingo for Sing Sing and Sebastian Stan for his efficiency as a younger Donald Trump in The Apprentice.
The most effective actress class additionally has no clear frontrunner. Demi Moore has been lauded for her comeback efficiency within the satirical body-horror movie The Substance, which earned her greatest actress honors from the Critics Alternative Awards and the Golden Globes, in addition to a number of critics’ organizations.
Emilia Pérez leads this yr’s Oscar nominees with 13 nominations, together with for greatest image, actress (for Karla Sofía Gascón), supporting actress (for Zoe Saldaña) and director
The Brutalist landed in second place with 10 nominations, together with for greatest image, director (for Brady Corbet), actor (for Adrien Brody), supporting actor (for Man Pearce), supporting actress (for Felicity Jones), and unique screenplay
Depraved tied it for 10 nominations, together with for greatest image, actress (for Cynthia Erivo), and supporting actress (for Ariana Grande)
However her win every week earlier than the Oscars on the SAG Awards suggests she could also be in a chief spot to grab the Oscar after being nominated for the primary time.
Anora star Mikey Madison, who performs an grownup dancer who impetuously marries the son of a Russian Oligarch, was extensively acclaimed and was honored by a number of critics’ organizations early within the season.
Her possibilities elevated considerably after she gained the BAFTA for greatest lead actress, which she adopted up with an Impartial Spirit Award win within the gender-neutral lead efficiency class.
Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón was as soon as a favourite for the award, however she was extensively criticized after racist and Islamophobic tweets — some fairly current — that had by some means gone unremarked upon had been translated into English and reported on.
Since then, Gascón has sat out awards ceremonies after her posts got here to mild. After a number of half-hearted apologies, Netflix reportedly opted to cease paying for Gascón’s journey and lodging for awards reveals, although a supply advised Those who she nonetheless plans to attend the Oscars.
Earlier than the controversy, her nomination was seen as historic, as she is the primary brazenly transgender lady to be nominated in one of the best actress class.
The opposite nominees are Depraved star Cynthia Erivo, who has didn’t seize any main awards, and the Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, who stars within the historic drama I am Nonetheless Right here. She had her personal controversy after a clip of her showing in blackface in a comedy sketch from a Brazilian TV sequence 17 years in the past resurfaced in January.
Within the supporting actress class, the nominees together with Monica Barbaro for A Full Unknown, Ariana Grande for Depraved, Felicity Jones for The Brutalist, Isabella Rossellini for Conclave and Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez
Saldaña seems to be the present favourite after a string of wins on the Golden Globes, BAFTA Awards, SAG Awards and Critics Alternative Awards.
However a few of these early awards had voting durations that lower off previous to the controversy round Gascón surfacing, which may probably hurt her possibilities from voters who had been turned off of Emilia Pérez altogether.
The supporting actor class appears the simplest to foretell, Kieran Culkin’s string of wins for A Actual Ache making him the favourite.
The opposite nominees embrace Yura Borisov for Anora, Edward Norton for A Full Unknown, Man Pearce for The Brutalist and Jeremy Sturdy for The Apprentice.
Among the many greatest image nominees, Emilia Pérez as soon as appeared just like the probably winner, however Gascon’s offensive posts have threatened its possibilities.
This yr’s greatest lead actor race is up within the air after Timothée Chalamet’s current SAG win for A Full Unknown
Anora’s Mikey Madison is a late-breaking greatest actress co-frontrunner after current wins and controversy that erupted after offensive tweets from Emilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón resurfaced
Demi Moore is the opposite main frontrunner for the satirical body-horror movie The Substance. She has gained a number of main awards this season
The Palme d’Or–successful Anora bought a late enhance with wins for greatest image on the Administrators Guild of America Awards and the Producers Guild of America Awards, that are thought of two of one of the best predictors of Oscars success by awards-season prognosticators, and its win on the Impartial Spirit Awards did not damage.
The most effective director class appears more likely to be a three-man race between Anora’s Sean Baker, The Brutalist director Brady Corbet and Emilia Pérez’s Jacques Audiard.
This yr’s unique track class options two cutes from Emilia Pérez, El Mal and Mi Camino, the brand new Elton John track By no means Too Late, from the documentary of the identical title about him, Like a Fowl from Sing Sing, and the newest Diane Warren effort The Journey.
The Academy Awards start at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and will be watched on ABC and, for the primary time, on a streaming service, Hulu.
Subscribers to premium companies together with Hulu + Dwell TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV and FuboTV may also additionally catch the ceremony reside.
Oscar winners 2025 full checklist – see who obtained honors for this yr’s Academy Awards
Greatest Image
Anora
The Brutalist
A Full Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Half Two
Emilia Pérez
I’m Nonetheless Right here
Nickel Boys
The Substance
Depraved
Emilia Pérez leads this yr’s Oscar nominees with 13, together with for greatest image, actress, supporting actress and director
Greatest Director
Jacques Audiard — Emilia Pérez
Sean Baker — Anora
Brady Corbet — The Brutalist
Coralie Fargeat — The Substance
James Mangold — A Full Unknown
Actress in a Main Function
Karla Sofía Gascón — Emilia Pérez
Demi Moore — The Substance
Fernanda Torres — I’m Nonetheless Right here
The Substance has been nominated for quite a few Oscars, together with Greatest Actress for Demi Moore
Actor in a Main Function
Timothée Chalamet — A Full Unknown
Colman Domingo — Sing Sing
Sebastian Stan — The Apprentice
The Brutalist got here in second place with 10 nods, together with for greatest image, actor (Adrien Brody), supporting actor (Man Peare) and supporting actress (Felicity Jones)
Actress in a Supporting Function
Monica Barbaro — A Full Unknown
Ariana Grande — Depraved
Felicity Jones — The Brutalist
Isabella Rossellini — Conclave
Zoe Saldaña — Emilia Pérez – WINNER
Actor in a Supporting Function
Yura Borisov — Anora
Kieran Culkin — A Actual Ache – WINNER
Edward Norton — A Full Unknown
Man Pearce — The Brutalist
Jeremy Sturdy — The Apprentice
Animated Characteristic Movie
Move – WINNER
Inside Out 2
Memoir of a Snail
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
The Wild Robotic
Cinematography
The Brutalist — Lol Crawley – WINNER
Dune: Half Two — Greig Fraser
Emilia Pérez — Paul Guilhaume
Maria — Ed Lachman
Nosferatu — Jarin Blaschke
Authentic Screenplay
Anora — Sean Baker – WINNER
The Brutalist — Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold
A Actual Ache — Jesse Eisenberg
September 5 — Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum; co-Written by Alex David
The Substance — Coralie Fargeat
Tailored Screenplay
A Full Unknown — James Mangold and Jay Cocks
Conclave — Peter Straughan – WINNER
Emilia Pérez — Jacques Audiard with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius and Nicolas Livecchi
Nickel Boys — RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes
Sing Sing — Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar; Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John ‘Divine G’ Whitfield
Achievement in Manufacturing Design
The Brutalist
Conclave
Dune: Half Two
Nosferatu
Depraved – Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales – WINNER
Achievement in Sound
A Full Unknown
Dune: Half Two – WINNER
Emilia Pérez
Depraved
The Wild Robotic
Authentic Tune
El Mal – Emilia Pérez – Clément Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard – WINNER
The Journey – The Six Triple Eight
Like A Fowl – Sing Sing
Mi Camino – Emilia Pérez
By no means Too Late – Elton John: By no means Too Late
Authentic Rating
The Brutalist — Daniel Blumberg – WINNER
Conclave — Volker Bertelmann
Emilia Pérez — Clément Ducol and Camille
Depraved — John Powell and Stephen Schwartz
The Wild Robotic — Kris Bowers
Dwell-Motion Quick Movie
A Lien
Anuja
I’m Not a Robotic – WINNER
The Final Ranger
The Man Who Might Not Stay Silent
Animated Quick Movie
Stunning Males
Within the Shadow of the Cypress – WINNER
Magic Candies
Wander to Surprise
Yuck!
Documentary Characteristic Movie
Black Field Diaries
No Different Land – WINNER
Porcelain Conflict
Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
Sugarcane
Move is nominated for each Worldwide Characteristic Movie and Animated Characteristic Movie
Documentary Quick Movie
Dying by Numbers
I Am Prepared, Warden
Incident
Devices of a Beating Coronary heart
The Solely Lady within the Orchestra – WINNER
International Characteristic Movie
I’m Nonetheless Right here (Brazil) – WINNER
The Lady With the Needle (Denmark)
Emilia Pérez (France)
The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany)
Move (Latvia)
Kieran Culkin has dominated the supporting actor classes in current weeks for Jesse Eisenberg’s drama A Actual Ache
Make-up and Hairstyling
A Completely different Man
Emilia Pérez
Nosferatu
The Substance – Pierre Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli – WINNER
Depraved
Achievement in Costume Design
A Full Unknown — Arianne Phillips
Conclave — Lisy Christl
Gladiator II — Janty Yates and Dave Crossman
Nosferatu — Linda Muir
Depraved — Paul Tazewell – WINNER
Achievement in Movie Modifying
Anora — Sean Baker – WINNER
The Brutalist — David Jancso
Conclave — Nick Emerson
Emilia Pérez — Juliette Welfling
Depraved — Myron Kerstein
Anora is nominated for a number of Oscars, together with greatest image, actress, supporting actor, director, screenplay and modifying
Visible Results
Alien: Romulus
Higher Man
Dune: Half Two – WINNER
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Depraved
