The Oscars award ceremony is always a night to remember and this year was no exception.
Michelle Yeoh made history at the Academy Awards by becoming the first Asian woman to win best actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, which swept the board at Hollywood’s biggest night. The multiverse sci-fi epic, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, claimed seven prizes at the 95th Oscars – including three acting awards, best directing and best picture, the biggest haul of the night. But aside from the big wins, there were plenty of hilarious moments.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best memes from this year’s Oscars.
Hugh Grant
In one of the most cringeworthy moments before the ceremony, Hugh Grant stuttered and prevaricated his way through a red carpet interview.
Speaking to American model Ashley Graham, he said: “The whole of humanity is here … it’s Vanity Fair,” in reference to the the 1848 novel by William Thackeray.
In response, Graham said: “It’s all about Vanity Fair – that’s where we let loose and have a little bit of fun!”
It was an awkward reference to the magazine that hosts the Oscars afterparty.
The stilted interview continued. Did he have his bets on any winners tonight?
“Not anyone in particular,” Grant said. Who was he wearing? “Just my suit.” What was it like being in Glass Onion? “I’m in it for about three seconds.”
Then, when presenting an award later that night, he referred to his face as a scrotum. Enough said.
Rihanna and Lady Gaga
Lady Gage and Rihanna both wowed viewers respectively with their outfits. Rihanna rocked up in leather with her baby bump for all to see and Lady Gaga was dressed in Versace mesh – and went to help a photographer when he stumbled.
Both women enacted elaborate wardrobe changes to perform their Oscar-nominated songs. Rihanna wore a floor-length gown and Gaga swapped her dress for cosplay.
David Byrne
David Byrne stepped on stage to perform This is a Life – his track with Son Lux and Mitski from the night’s big winner, Everything Everywhere All at Once. Seconds in he pulled out a set of hotdog fingers in reference to a popular scene in the multiverse epic.
Happy birthday, James!
The entire Oscars audience sang happy birthday to James Martin, the lead actor of An Irish Goodbye, which took home best live action short for its tale of two brothers checking off the bucket list of their late mother.
An especially spirited rendition came from The Banshees of Inisherin star Colin Farrell, who swung a thumbs-up to his fellow Irish actor.
Ke Huy Quan
Hollywood loves a comeback story, and Ke Huy Quan delivered. He reflected on his immigrant past as he accepted the Oscar in the best supporting actor category for his role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. He thanked the establishment for “welcoming me back”, adding in a moment straight out of the movies themselves that “dreams are something you have to believe in. I almost gave up on mine”.
Donkeys and bears and raccoons
Animals were truly in the limelight this year, as they stormed the stage and aisles of the Dolby Theatre. Jenny, the donkey from The Banshees of Inisherin, basked in the spotlight.
“If you’re feeling upset or if you win or if you’re feeling anxious or if you just love mules, come up and give her a hug,” said host Jimmy Kimmel.
The lead of Cocaine Bear, a movie about a bear on cocaine, also made an appearance next to the film’s director, Elizabeth Banks, who was on stage to present an award.
Later, the bear stumbled into the audience pit of the Oscars to harass fellow actors and producers, including Malala Yousafzai.
Other animal mentions include the raccoon from Everything Everywhere All at Once, and the lonely dog of Charlie Mackesy, who won best animated short for The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – then admitted in his speech he had left his dog behind in the hotel room.
Andrew Garfield’s face
Andrew Garfield was accosted by Kimmel who made a fleeting reference to Garfield’s Spider-Man during one of many gags about the infamous slap last year. He shrugged and revealed his pearly white teeth in a “help me” smile, creating an memorable image from the night.
