The Oscars never disappoints: the biggest awards night of the year, it dominates the airwaves and serves Hollywood glamour in spades.
Here are some of the best moments from the 2023 ceremony.
The best of the speeches
Were there tears? Of course there were. Ke Huy Quan, who’s been on quite an awards journey this year, wept on stage as he won Best Supporting Actor. “My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp. And somehow I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage,” the actor (who was born during in Vietnam) told the crowd.
“They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me. This – this! – is the American dream.” Michelle Yeoh’s speech trod similar ground: “This is proof that… dreams do come true,” she said. “And ladies, don’t let anyone ever tell you [that] you are past your prime.”
Brendan Fraser also got emotional as he accepted the award for Best Actor, thanking director Darren Aronofsky for “throwing me a creative life-line and hauling me aboard the good ship The Whale."
Animals galore
If the Oscars 2023 is remembered for anything, let it be for the bizarre and wide-ranging selection of animals that featured in this year’s ceremony. Jenny the Donkey from The Banshees of Inisherin made an appearance on stage with Kimmel - "she’s a certified emotional support donkey. At least that’s what we told the airline to get her on the plane from Ireland,” he joked. Colin Farrell was seen blowing the donkey a kiss from the audience, which was wonderful – but the standout has to be Cocaine Bear, or at least a person in a bear costume.
First making an appearance on-stage with the film’s director Elizabeth Banks, the bear later gained a mind of its own and headed into the audience to pester the stars. Dead in its sights was activist Malala Yousafzai, prompting Kimmel to utter the immortal line, “Cocaine Bear, leave Malala alone!”
Hugh Grant needs some moisturiser
Hugh Grant had a fair few meme-able moments last night, starting with one of the most awkward red-carpet interactions you’ll ever see. Interviewed by host Ashley Graham, he referred to the crowd as “Vanity Fair”, seemingly referencing the 1848 book. Graham took him at his word and thought he was referring to the Vanity Fair afterparty, and the interview spiralled from there.
He later appeared on-stage alongside his Four Weddings and a Funeral co-star Andie MacDowell to present an award – and, in his words, “to raise the vital importance of a good moisturiser. Andie has used one every day of her life, I have not.” He went onto refer to himself as “basically a scrotum”: could this be an Academy first?
The slap is back
Jimmy Kimmel was a polished presence at his third Oscars and fired off jokes at a rate of knots. Needless to say, Will Smith’s slap (has it really been a year since it happened?) featured heavily in his material.
“If anyone in this theatre commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for best actor and permitted to give a 19-minute long speech,” he joked.
Not all of them hit, though: when he attempted to ask Malala her thoughts on whether Harry Styles spat on Chris Pine at the press conference for Don’t Worry Darling, she cut him dead. “I only talk about peace,” she replied. Ouch.
Going Gaga for make-up
Spare a thought for Lady Gaga’s make-up artist. The star made a star-spangled appearance on the red carpet dressed head-to-toe in Versace, only to appear on stage mere hours later completely free of make-up and dressed in a t-shirt, for a surprise rendition of her song Hold My Hand.
In addition to Gaga, a pregnant Rihanna – fresh from her Super Bowl performance – also popped up to sing Lift Me Up from the Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Our favourite moment? Watching her boyfriend A$AP Rocky leap out of his chair to applaud her once she’d finished.
Hopelessly devoted to you
The Oscars is an emotional ceremony at the best of times, but it hit its peak during the annual In Memoriam section. This time around, a tearful John Travolta was presenting, and he took the opportunity to pay tribute to his Grease co-star Olivia Newton-John.
“We remain hopelessly devoted to you,” he said, referencing the iconic song. All together now: aww.
