2022 Oscars Recap
The 2022 Oscars premiered last night on ABC with some historic wins, shocking moments, and mediocre musical performances-except for Billie Eilish. Here’s the recap from the 2022 Oscars.
West Side Story’s Ariana Debose started off the night with a win for best-supporting actress-her first nomination and win at the academy. Dune managed to take home 6 hours, including best cinematography, best visual effects, and best film editing.
The musical performances, though usually not the most talked-about aspect of the ceremony, featured two performances from Encanto bringing in Megan Thee Stallion to rap a newly written verse for “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”.
Encanto took home the Oscar for best-animated feature, another win for Disney, and a semi-win for music writer Lin Manuel Miranda who would’ve achieved an EGOT if Billie Eilish didn’t win for best original song.
Eilish might even in the future achieve an EGOT if she continues down her musical road as she now holds a Grammy and an Oscar.
The comedy at the Oscars was particularly noteworthy this year with hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina King. Schumer stuck to more low-blow jokes such as fat-shaming Jennifer Lawrence for her appearance in Don’t Look Up.
While King sent the crowd into a gut-busting uproar when she invited actors such as Timothee Chalamet and Bradley Cooper onstage to conduct a “non-invasive” covid test, commenting on the attractive actor’s suave looks.
While comedy is being discussed, some jokes did not go over well with certain audience members as Chris Rock made a joke referencing Jada Pinkett-Smith’s shaved head.
Pinkett-Smith suffers from alopecia and thus shaved her head after some hair loss. Will Smith appeared on stage and slapped Chris Rock, yelling from his seat after to returned for Rock to “keep his wife’s name out of his f***ing mouth”.
Towards the beginning of the ceremony, it looked like Dune was going to take home the best picture based on the trajectory of awards.
However, the history-making CODA took home the best supporting actor for Troy Kotsur, being the first male deaf actor to win an academy award.
CODA also took home the coveted best picture award. A monumental win for the deaf community and the first film to premiere on Apple TV to win the best picture.
One of the biggest surprises was Netflix’s The Power of The Dog only taking home one win but fortunately not a disappointing one. Jane Campion became the third female director to win the best director after Chloé Zhao.
The red carpet looks brought new and innovative ways for the actors to express themselves, Lupita Nyong’o wore a gold sequined gown that was beautifully reflected in the light. Even when her face was stoned-over while sitting directly behind Will Smith as he called out Chris Rock.
Dune stars Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet featured exquisite looks following a black and white color scale. Timothee Chalamet has been in the news for exposing his bare chest under a sequined jacket-to the delight of many fans.
In the midst of the pandemic, it was refreshing to see many actors-though all tested- not wearing masks and again fully allowing immersive, creative expression with makeup and costumes.
Those who weren’t able to watch the live performance can stream it on Hulu or pay to watch the full live stream on ABC.com.