The Oscars Must Go On

One of the oldest sayings in the theatrical world is simple: the show must go on. This year’s Oscars is the poster child for that saying, bringing the top names in the entertainment industry together to celebrate the hard work and great projects that have been completed in one of the most harrowing years in history. While the winners and attendees brought fashion and fame to the screen and stage once again, they also brought unprecedented achievement.

Among the stars in attendance at the Oscars were several record breakers and difference makers that changed the game in the entertainment industry. Most notable was Best Director winner Chloe Zhao for the film Nomadland, which she both wrote and directed. Zhao is the first woman of color and only the second woman overall to win Best Director; she is preceded by Kathryn Bigelow for her film The Hurt Locker.

Nomadland also produced another success for actress Frances McDormand, who is now the only actor to win a Best Picture Oscar and an acting Oscar at the same ceremony on the same night. McDormand also holds what is known as the Triple Crown of Acting: she has won a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and an Academy Award, an extremely rare achievement in the entertainment world.

Other firsts at the Academy Awards include Anthony Hopkins’ Best Leading Actor award, which made him the oldest person to win an award in an acting category at 83 years of age. His new status demotes previous title holder Christopher Plummer, who won for the film Beginners at age 82.

Hopkins, however, was at the center of controversy over his choice to remain at home and not attend the awards ceremony; he has since stated that his win was unanticipated and he, along with most viewers, expected the award to go to the late actor Chadwick Boseman, for his work in the film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Hopkins later released a video in which he accepted the award and paid homage to Boseman.

The proceedings were different at the ceremony this year. Originally scheduled for February 28^th, the ceremony was forced to break tradition and name February 28^th as the submission deadline, with the awards presented on April 25^th. This year marks only the fourth time in history that the Oscars have been postponed, and the first time since 1934 that films produced in two different years were deemed eligible to receive awards.

Despite the determination of Oscars organizers, this year’s show was the lowest rated and the least viewed in history. A mere 10.4 million tuned in to watch, a number likely impacted by the pandemic’s effect on cinema and critics’ scathing reviews. The review website Rotten Tomatoes furthers the poor numbers, offering the show a 4.17/10 rating, which equates to about 24% approval. Criticism was harsh regarding what some viewed as deliberate ignorance of the struggle of movie theaters and other entertainment venues, especially regarding the layoffs of employees.

Though many things appear uncertain, one thing is definitely clear in the delivery of this year’s Academy Awards: the determination of the entertainment industry to keep going, to keep producing new work and to celebrate the art of the film. No matter what we see next year, we know for sure that the show will go on.

Fashion Review

The Oscar Awards are always an excuse to see our favorite celebrities all dressed up in their red carpet best. Here’s a recap of who I think were the best and worst dressed at the 93^rd Oscar Awards:

Best Dressed

Zendaya

Photo via The OscarsAmanda Seyfried

Is it really any surprise that Zendaya makes the best dressed list with her yellow  Custom-designed dress by Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli? The dress took more than 300 hours to create and was pared with $6 million dollars’ worth of diamonds in her statement necklace. The color was stunning and the dress’ train gave the look an elegant feel while still allowing Zendaya to show a little skin with the cut out in the midriff.

Amanda Seyfried

Photo via The Oscars

Amanda Seyfried served looks in this red Armani Prive gown. The ruffles and deep neckline of the dress adds texture to this classic red carpet look.  This bold red gown couldn’t have been a better choice for her!

Carey Mulligan

Photo via The Oscars

This two-piece Valentieno gold gown is one of my favorite looks from the night!  The color, the shine, the texture and the frame of this dress are all stunning.

Honorable mention:  Andra Day

Photo via The Oscars

Andra Day showed a little skin in a Vera Wang dress and matching gold clutch.  While this gown is not as elegant as the others, I love the metallic feel and texture to this dress–I had to include it in the Best Dressed list.

Worst dressed

Laura Dern

Photo via The Oscars

I have nothing good to say about this de la Renta gown.  First of all, I could have maybe seen the appeal if the skirt hit higher on the waist line, but it being that low almost makes it look like she just paired a feathered skirt with a black turtle neck instead of it being a designer gown.  Secondly, it reminded me of that episode of Hannah Montana where Miley wears a swan gown around her neck so Jake will break up with her—I couldn’t see any good in it after that.

Maria Bakalova

Photo via The Oscars

Actually, I don’t think this Louis Vuitton dress is ugly.  It’s elegant and graceful…for a wedding.  It looks like a wedding dress not a dress for the red carpet—especially paired with those pearls. Beautiful dress, but wrong occasion to wear it.

Questlove

Photo via The Oscars

The only part of his outfit that I had a problem with was his gold crocs. It’s bad enough that they’re crocs, but it honestly looks like someone spray painted them gold.  I can’t imagine wearing crocs to a red carpet or formal events, but these crocs are especially bad. I know they were a fan favorite but I just can’t see it.

Article by Kay Wacasey and Marissa Mayfield