A look at the 2024 Oscar ceremony

by Wali Warsame

Staff Writer

The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Course. 

Last summer, "Barbie," directed by Greta Gerwig, and Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, stood at the forefront of cinema and pop culture. In myrecent story, "The Road to the Oscars," we took a look at the performance of these two films as well as a few others released in 2023, such as "Poor Things" and "The Holdovers," during pre-Oscar award shows. 

Jimmy Kimmel, comedian and host of Jimmy Kimmel Live, hosted the 96th annual Academy Awards. During the introduction of the ceremony, Kimmel addressed the reported snub Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig faced after not being nominated for their work on "Barbie," despite it being the highest grossing film of 2023, according to Variety. As the audience showed their support for the actress and director with applause, Kimmel humorously ridiculed the audience as well as The Academy saying, “I know you’re clapping, but you’re the ones who didn’t vote for her.” 

On Truth Social, former President Donald Trump criticized Kimmel for his performance as a host at the Academy Awards stating that Kimmel should be replaced “with another washed up, but cheap, ABC ‘talent,’ George Slopanopoulos.”

After reading the post live during the ceremony, Kimmel responded by thanking Trump for watching and pokes fun at Trump's ongoing trial by questioning whether it is past his “jail time.”

Trump was not the only one who found Kimmel's job as a host distasteful. Besides the backlash from social media, Emma Stone appeared displeased by jokes made by Kimmel relating to scenes from her film "Poor Things." Online, viewers observed a video of Stone's reaction to the joke, guessing that the word she was mouthing was a spiteful sentiment towards Kimmel.

Predictably, "Oppenheimer" won the most awards on Oscar night with seven awards. The film took home some of the most coveted awards such as Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and most importantly, Best Picture. During Murphy's acceptance speech for Best Actor, he acknowledged the man the film was based on.

“We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or for worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer's world, so I would really like to dedicate to the peacemakers everywhere,” the first time Oscar winner said.

Coming in second place, "Poor Things" won four awards that night. Emma Stone, the lead actress of the film, received the award for Best Actress. Behind the scenes, Stone and her husband were found conversing with Kirsten Dunst. While Stone's win was being announced, she frantically hurried on stage, evidently ripping the back of her dress. You can see footage capturing this moment on TikTok.

In 2023, at the 95th annual Oscar ceremony, the Academy rolled out what they had called the “champagne carpet,” looking just as it sounds. This year, the familiar red carpet returned. Before the ceremony began, the carpet was greeted by Margot Robbie in Versace, Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton, and Cillian Murphy in Versace as well. 

Winners from the previous Oscar ceremony also attended. The 2023 Best Actress, Michelle Yeoh, showed up in a silver Balenciaga haute couture gown. Ke Huy Quan, winner of Best Supporting Actor, wore a Giorgio Armani suit to the red carpet event.

There were also appearances from musicians like Billie Eilish in a Chanel suit and Ariana Grande in a custom Giambatista Valli haute couture gown. Eilish won Best Original Song for “What Was I Made For?” which was featured in "Barbie." Grande will return to the screen in the "Wicked" musical coming to theaters this fall.

There were several memorable moments that night, including the appearance of Anatomy of a Falls Messi the Dog during the beginning of the ceremony. 

A less fetching moment was John Cena's appearance where he stood unclad on stage. The bit, initiated by Kimmel, was a reference to Robert Opels stunt during the 46th Academy Awards. 

The Best Actor nominee, Ryan Gosling, performed the "Barbie" track ‘I’m Just Ken’ live for the first time. 

Da’Vine Joy Randolph filled the hearts of viewers during her heartwarming speech. The first time Oscar winner broke down when accepting her award for Best Supporting Actress. "The Holdovers" actress made a point to thank her acting coach as well as her publicist. 

“I didn’t think I was supposed to be doing this as a career,” she tearfully voiced.