In this week’s handle with care, an Oscars debrief. Happy Monday!
A slap-less Academy Awards took place in Hollywood last night, and boy, did they not let you forget it. An almost tasteless amount of jokes about it were done, but when you forget about that, it was a historic night for movies. Everything Everywhere All At Once showed up as the most-nominated film this year, and won seven out of 11 Oscars including Best Picture.
Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian woman, and second woman of color ever to win Best Actress. Ke Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor, and gave an emotional speech referencing his return to acting after being a child star. Jamie Lee Curtis won Best Supporting Actress. EEAAO directors The Daniels won Best Original Screenplay and Best Director. The film also won Best Editing, because duh.
I would’ve loved for Stephanie Hsu to have been pushed more in her supporting actress campaign, because Jobu made more of an emotional impact than Curtis’ character. At least Hsu got her moment while performing “This Is A Life” with David Byrne, on behalf of Mitski. Never forget that Hsu played “Karen the Computer” from the hit Broadway musical, The SpongeBob Musical!
Speaking of performances, early yesterday morning, it was confirmed that Lady Gaga would be performing “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick at the Oscars. She did a stripped-down version of it, and even changed into a casual outfit and wiped her makeup off. There was a performance of “Naatu Naatu” from RRR, just before it won Best Song. Rihanna also performed “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for the first time ever.
Other notable headlines from last night include Angela Bassett’s Best Supporting Actress loss. Personally, I felt like she was the heart of Black Panther, and I got goosebumps every time her Oscars clip was played throughout awards season. Ruth E. Carter became the first Black woman to win two Oscars, which is an insane thing to say in 2023. She won for Best Costume Design for both Black Panther films. Brendan Fraser won Best Actor for the controversial film, “The Whale.” Fraser had a comeback story similar to Quan’s, coined the Brenaissance. Fraser winning means Paul Mescal is my favorite Academy Award loser.
Oscars Fashion: Enough with D&G!
It seemed to me that almost every other person that walked the champagne carpet was wearing Dolce & Gabbana. And that pissed me off!!!! They have a history of being racist, homophobic, and awful, so it’s disappointing when celebrities wear them.
Aside from that, there were quite a few dresses I really liked from yesterday, including Stephanie Hsu and Ruth E. Carter’s Valentino gowns, plus Cara Delevingne’s showstopping Elie Saab dress. The men were not giving. Pedro Pascal’s pants did not fit him. The only men that looked good were the fictional ones! See: Marcel The Shell in Thom Browne, Pinnochio and Geppetto. Here are the rest of my favorite looks:
Rihanna is my best dressed of the night. She wore a brown Alaïa dress with criss-cross leather detailing over a mesh bodice with long sleeves. I love the way she dresses to emphasize her baby bump. It’s effortless, but she looks amazing. On the right, we have The Banshees of Inisherin star Kerry Condon in a yellow Versace gown. The texture on the asymmetrical bodice is *chef’s kiss* to me. Perfect for spring!
I gasped when I saw Danai Gurira in her black Jason Wu gown. She looks stunning, and her updo by Larry Sims completed the look. Musician Tems wore a white gown by Lever Couture with a towering swag of fabric over her head, making it easy to spot her in the audience.
Lastly, Lady Gaga wore a Versace gown that is literally fresh off the runway from their Fall/Winter 2023 show. Like, they must have taken it off Gigi Hadid immediately after she walked in it to pack it up for Gaga. It features mesh, open corsetry, and a very low-rise skirt. It’s a feat considering she was a last-minute attendee.
Chelsea’s 5 Oscar Highlights
Michael B. Jordan shouting out Angela Bassett after her Best Supporting Actress loss while presenting with Jonathan Majors: “Hey Auntie, we love you.”
Andrew Garfield’s reaction to being mentioned in host Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue:
Halle Berry being the one to give Michelle Yeoh her Best Actress Oscar. Berry was the first Black woman and woman of color to win that award.
The audience singing “Happy Birthday” to James Martin after “An Irish Goodbye” won Best Live Action Short Film. Because I would crumble if Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, and Paul Mescal sang to me.
Jessica Chastain knowing the pandemic isn’t over and masking at the Oscars. She has worn a mask to every awards show this season in order to protect her Broadway co-stars in A Doll’s House.
Honorable mention: me immediately jinxing a Top Gun: Maverick win at home. I called it “Flop Gun: Maverick” while the Best Sound nominees were being read, and then it won its sole Oscar 30 seconds later. I’m sorry I’m too powerful.
Thank you for reading a special Monday edition of handle with care!! Awards season is over, and now we wait for next year. I need a Barbie sweep next year with Margot Robbie for Best Actress, America Ferrera for Best Supporting Actress, Ryan Gosling for Best Supporting Actor. Best Actor will obvi be for Timothée Chalamet in Dune Part 2. Okay, see you next week!!