Hollywood’s most prestigious event, the 98th Academy Awards, unfolded with a blend of heartfelt speeches, comedic moments, and candid backstage interactions. While the ceremony celebrated cinematic achievements, several notable occurrences captured attention, including the playful ribbing of actor Timothée Chalamet by host Conan O’Brien.
Chalamet, who was also a nominee, found himself the subject of several jokes during O’Brien’s opening monologue. The host referenced the actor’s public comments about ballet and opera lacking widespread appeal. “Security is extremely tight tonight. I’m just going to mention that,” O’Brien quipped, adding, “I’m told there’s a concern about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.” The camera then panned to Chalamet, who was seen smiling beside his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner. O’Brien followed up with, “They’re just mad you left out jazz.”
Later in the show, O’Brien attempted to smooth things over, expressing a sense of camaraderie with Chalamet. “We’re vibing, right?” he asked the actor, whose response was not audible to the microphones. O’Brien humorously concluded, “He doesn’t think so.”
Beyond the on-stage entertainment, the ceremony offered glimpses into the less-seen aspects of Hollywood’s biggest night. Production designers and filmmakers were observed mingling with their awards and recounting their wins. Security measures were notably stringent, and a rare tie in the best short action film category created a stir among reporters.
Behind the Scenes: Security and Unexpected Twists
This year’s Academy Awards saw an amplified security presence in Los Angeles, a response to heightened global concerns. A multi-layered security perimeter, coordinated traffic management, and a visible police presence were implemented across the Hollywood area. The vicinity of the Dolby Theatre was lined with what appeared to be SWAT vehicles and fencing, a stark contrast to its usual lively atmosphere.
Access to media hubs, such as the Loews Hotel opposite the Dolby Theatre, involved passing through multiple security checkpoints. Attendees navigated through metal detectors, and their belongings were screened by police dogs. The streets surrounding the venue had been subject to closures for over a week to accommodate the extensive red carpet setup. Entry points into the Ovation Hollywood complex, which houses the Dolby Theatre, also featured metal detectors. The visual spectacle included large curtains concealing local businesses to create space for the red carpet, with tall poles bearing the names of past best picture winners guiding attendees to the theater.
An Unprecedented Tie Rattles the Press Room
While ties for Oscars are infrequent, the 98th Academy Awards witnessed one in the best short action film category, with “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva” both receiving the award. In the winners’ room, Academy librarians were on hand to verify event details. This occurrence prompted several reporters to seek immediate confirmation from these experts regarding the last instance of such a tie. The previous tie occurred in 2013, when “Skyfall” and “Zero Dark Thirty” shared the award for best sound editing.
A Host’s Generous Gesture and Backstage Conversations
Conan O’Brien’s “Moderately Happy Meal”
Host Conan O’Brien left a personal touch for nominees and attendees by placing handwritten notes under the seats within the Dolby Theatre. These notes, accompanied by a selection of snacks he humorously termed a “Conan O’Brien ‘Moderately Happy Meal’,” aimed to welcome guests. The accompanying message acknowledged the economic value of such snacks in a typical movie theater, stating, “These snacks may not look like much but in any movie theater they would run you $85.” It concluded with a lighthearted encouragement: “Good luck tonight, have fun, and remember that loud, enthusiastic laughter is good for your health and my ego.” An Academy spokeswoman confirmed the authenticity of the notes, stating they were indeed placed under every seat.
K-Pop’s Historic Win: A Speech Extended Backstage
The Oscars are known for adhering to strict time limits for acceptance speeches, and this year was no exception, even for a groundbreaking win. The creators behind “Golden,” a song from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” received the award for best original song, marking the first time a K-pop song was recognized by the Academy. Despite their speech being cut short on stage, they had the opportunity to share additional remarks backstage. They expressed gratitude to their families, fellow artists Audry Nuna and Rei Ami, IDO members, and Teddy Park for the “incredible honour.”
“Golden” songwriter Mark Sonnenblick, who did not have a chance to speak during the ceremony, took the microphone backstage to thank his husband and everyone involved in the film, with a particular nod to the animators. He described the movie as a testament to collaboration and a narrative about overcoming ingrained animosity. “It’s not ‘I’m going up up up.’ It’s, ‘we’re going up up up. And that’s part of the reason that we’re on stage right now,” he articulated.
Director Maggie Kang further emphasized her pride in Korean cinema, reinforcing statements made during her acceptance speech. “I just feel immensely proud. And really, to be honest, I didn’t want to disappoint Korea,” she stated, reflecting on the dual trophies secured by the film.
Cinematographer’s Missed Moment and Prequel Tease
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the cinematographer for “Sinners,” became the first woman to win an Oscar in her category. Reflecting on her acceptance speech, she noted missing a crucial point. “A lot of little girls that look like me will sleep really well tonight because they want to become cinematographers,” she stated, highlighting the potential for inspiration for young women. She also acknowledged the vital support received from other women throughout the awards season, emphasizing their advocacy. Her sentiment was clear: “Moments like this don’t happen without women kind of standing up for you and advocating for you. I know that this happened because of that, so I want to say thank you.”
Amy Madigan, awarded best supporting actress for her role in the horror film “Weapons,” addressed inquiries about a potential prequel. Citing cues from writer-director Zach Cregger, Madigan indicated that a prequel is a possibility, although she tempered expectations by noting the unpredictable nature of the film industry. “But if it worked out that would be great, because I trust Zach, and he’s got a lot of wacky ideas,” she commented.