The 2023 Oscars was a largely controversy-free ceremony that avoided major missteps. Despite concerns, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences put on an event that ran close to on time, had some emotional moments, and even broke some records. Here are the highlights and lowlights of the show:
Historic Victory: Michelle Yeoh Becomes the First Asian Best Actress Winner
For the first time in its 95-year history, an Asian performer won the best actress award at the Oscars. Michelle Yeoh won the award for her lead role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” making her the first Malaysian performer to win an Oscar. Ke Huy Quan, her co-star, also won an Oscar, making this the first time that more than one Asian performer has won in a year. In her acceptance speech, Yeoh encouraged young Asian children to dream big and believe in the possibility of their dreams coming true.
Quick Pivot: Jimmy Kimmel Jokes About the Slap
Academy executives had clarified that they did not want to mention the infamous slap incident from the previous year’s Oscars, but host Jimmy Kimmel brought it up anyway. He started a string of jokes about the incident and entertained the audience with his quick wit.
Heartfelt Acceptance: Ke Huy Quan
Ke Huy Quan gave an emotional acceptance speech after winning the supporting actor award. The Vietnamese-born performer thanked his mother for sacrificing everything to bring their family to the United States and expressed his disbelief that his journey had led him to Hollywood’s biggest stage.
Feel-Good Win: Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis won the supporting actress award, following Ke Huy Quan’s win. Curtis thanked all the people who have supported her over the years, including the fans of her movies.
Metaphoric Speech: Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser gave a heartfelt acceptance speech after winning the best actor award for “The Whale.” Although his speech was filled with nautical references, it was a touching moment for the first-time nominee.
Best Speech by a Director Not Nominated for Best Director: Sarah Polley
Sarah Polley, the writer and director of “Women Talking,” won the best-adapted screenplay award. Although she wasn’t nominated for best director, she still had a moment to shine on stage and thanked the academy for not being offended by the title of her film.
Best Pop Superstar Performance: Rihanna and Lady Gaga
Rihanna and Lady Gaga both gave standout performances at the Oscars. Lady Gaga stripped down her usual gothic look and performed “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick,” while Rihanna honoured Chadwick Boseman with “Lift Me Up.”
Smartest Fashion Choice: Recycled Couture
Many actors chose to wear recycled couture on the red carpet, promoting the idea that new isn’t always better. This was a refreshing change from the usual fashion marketing content that the awards show circuit often becomes.
Worst Production Design: The Not-Red Carpet
The beige carpet, or champagne carpet, was a miss for many. While some outfits popped against the carpet, it was mostly unremarkable, leaving viewers wanting the classic red rug.
Worst Tie-in: “The Little Mermaid” Trailer
The Oscars showcased the trailer for Disney’s upcoming “Little Mermaid” during the ceremony, which felt like a misuse of the show’s running time. Some winners were even played off during their acceptance speeches.
The Oddest Scheduling Choice: Big Wins Followed by a Dull Song
The Oscars typically spread out the wins for supporting actors and actresses, which are often the most emotional and talked about moments of the night. So why were Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis placed so close together, followed by a lacklustre original song performance by Sofia Carson with “Applause” from the obscure film “Tell It Like a Woman”? Either of their acceptance speeches could have sustained us through a commercial break. Let these ecstatic winners have their moment and give the audience time to absorb it all! – Kyle Buchanan
The Smartest Scheduling Decision: The Return of Short Film Categories
The decision to hand out the short film Oscars before the telecast last year was controversial. Some, including myself, thought it was a good idea, while academy members largely disagreed. I’m now admitting that I was wrong. After the new executive team promised to return the short film categories to the telecast this year, they provided some truly special moments.
Who could resist a speech that starts with “I know I’m supposed to say thank you a lot, but as a Brit, I’m more comfortable saying sorry”? This is what animated short filmmaker Matthew Freud (“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”) said as he apologized to everyone who helped with the film but couldn’t be there. Without the winning live-action short “An Irish Goodbye,” featuring James Martin as a man with Down syndrome, would we have had the entire Dolby Theater singing “Happy Birthday” to him? I’m not crying; you’re crying. – Stephanie Goodman
The Most Surprising Comedian: Malala
During the Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel filled the breaks between awards by asking audience members questions supposedly from fans. Pakistani activist for girls’ education and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, who was also an executive producer of the best short documentary nominee “Stranger at the Gate,” was suddenly asked, “Do you think Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine?” Malala didn’t miss a beat and replied, “I only talk about peace.” Her response quickly ended the banter, but she was soon wrapped up in another mediocre joke when a person dressed as Cocaine Bear approached her. On behalf of all Americans, I apologize for these jokes. – Julia Jacobs
Best Dressed, Animal Category: Jenny the Donkey
A shining red bow and a bedazzled emotional support animal vest never looked better. A donkey that looked a lot like Jenny, the star of best picture nominee “The Banshees of Inisherin,” joined Kimmel on stage halfway through the broadcast and seemed a bit confused but otherwise content.
“Jenny is not only an actor,” Kimmel said, “but she’s a certified emotional support donkey – or at least that’s what we told the airline to get her here from Ireland.” (Note: the donkey was not Jenny as reported by the Los Angeles Times). If the Tonys can bring a goat through the audience, it’s time for the Oscars to join the furry bandwagon or, at the very least, honour the true darling of the season. – Nancy Coleman
Worst Dressed, Animal Category: The Person in the Cocaine Bear Suit
Not all furry bandwagons should be hopped on. And please, leave Malala alone. – Nancy Coleman
Best Musical Performance with Dance: “Naatu Naatu”
The Indian actress Deepika Padukone took the stage about an hour and a half into the Oscars and asked, “Do you know Naatu?” The audience was treated to a spectacular performance of the hit number from the Indian action film, complete with popping suspenders, high-stepping, and frenetic nodding. The song, composed by Chandrabose and M.M. Keeravani, won the Best Original Song award. Following the appearance of Jenny the Donkey, this performance was a fitting follow-up. – Sarah Bahr
Worst Musical Performance with Dance: “This Is a Life”
David Byrne and company performed the Best Original Song nominee “This Is a Life” from the film “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The performance was not well received, as expressed by two of our writers:
Wesley Morris: Byrne’s fingers were as long and round as the singing was flat.
Kyle Buchanan: At least this number brought back inscrutable modern dance to the Oscars, where it belongs!
Most Heartwarming Repeat Winner: Costume Designer Ruth Carter
It was a delight to see Ruth Carter, the costume designer behind “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” win her second Oscar. She is the first Black woman to receive two Academy Awards, having previously won for the original “Black Panther.” On stage, she greeted the crowd with a warm “Nice to see you again” and thanked the academy for acknowledging the supernatural abilities of all Black women, not just in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Carter paid tribute to her late mother, who died in early March at 101. She credited the film “Wakanda Forever,” which begins with a funeral procession for King T’Challa (played by Chadwick Boseman), with helping her prepare for her mother’s death. In her speech, she asked Boseman to watch over her mother. Although Carter was the only winner among the film’s five nominations, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to shape culture through film.
This won’t be her last time on the Oscars stage. – Kalia Richardson
Most Welcome Newcomer: James Hong
The film “Everything Everywhere” received one award that didn’t come with a trophy: Jimmy Kimmel’s tribute to the film’s star, 94-year-old actor James Hong.
Kimmel acknowledged that Hong, who has starred in over 650 films and TV shows, started acting professionally when he was 25. He worked as a civil engineer and helped design the road system in Los Angeles. Kimmel jokingly referred to Hong as “one of our great living actors and one of our worst civil engineers” due to the roads in LA.
Hong has received more recognition in the past year than in his 69-year career, and we’re excited to see it. As a founding member of the East-West Players theatre troupe, he is one of the most prolific Asian American actors of all time, with credits including “Big Trouble in Little China” and “Kung Fu Panda.” At the Screen Actors Guild Awards last month, Hong spoke openly about the racism towards Asians in Hollywood during the 1950s and celebrated today’s progress.
On Sunday, Hong could be seen holding an Oscar when “Everything Everywhere” was named Best Picture. This is a fitting culmination to his remarkable life and career, and we hope this is just the start of the James Hong renaissance. – Barbara Chai
