By Giovanna Salas
Oscar night always delivers a mix of magic, surprises, and head-scratching moments, and the 97th Academy Awards were no exception. Let’s dive into the biggest highs, the most disappointing lows, and the moments that had everyone saying, “Wait, what?”
THE HIGHS
A Musical Beginning to Remember
The night kicked off without a host but with an unforgettable musical tribute. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo—the dream duo of Wicked—delivered a stunning medley featuring Somewhere Over the Rainbow (from The Wizard of Oz), Home (from The Wiz), and Defying Gravity (from Wicked). The performance set the tone for an evening where Wicked: Part One may not have dominated the awards tally but certainly stole the spotlight. With two wins in well-deserved categories, the film now stands poised for an even bigger night at the 98th Academy Awards when Wicked: For Good arrives next year.
Conan O’Brien Brings the Love
Hosting the Oscars is a thankless job, but Conan O’Brien managed to charm audiences by demonstrating his genuine love for movies. His satirical bit from The Substance had the crowd in stitches, and his playful back-and-forth with announcer Nick Offerman—plus the hilarious Dune sandworm gag—kept the energy high. Although his “I Won’t Waste Time” musical number didn’t quite land, Conan’s enthusiasm for cinema was refreshing. If future hosts can bring the same passion, we might finally have a winning formula. Conan O’Brien shone bright at these Oscars.
Spotlighting Craft Categories
The ceremony finally gave behind-the-scenes artists their moment in the spotlight. Having stars present awards to individual nominees in Costume Design and Cinematography was a fantastic tribute, allowing actors to express genuine admiration for the designers and cinematographers who elevate their performances. More of this, please!
A Win for Cat People Everywhere
In a delightful surprise, Flow took home Best Animated Feature, proving that stories about our feline friends resonate deeply. This joyful and unexpected win had many animation fans purring with excitement.
THE LOWS
Demi Moore’s Heartbreaking Best Actress Loss
The most gut-wrenching moment of the night came when longtime frontrunner Demi Moore lost the Best Actress award to Mikey Madison. While Madison’s darkly electric performance was worthy of recognition, Moore’s visible shock was difficult to watch. Expectations were so high that when the unexpected happens, it feels like a slap in the face.
The audience remains divided, we congratulate Mikey Madison, yet in our hearts, Demi Moore’s performance shines bright.
Did Anora Really Need Five Oscars?
Sean Baker’s Anora is a great film—funny, moving, and beautifully executed. But winning five Oscars, four of which went directly to Baker, seems a bit excessive. Loving a movie doesn’t mean it should win in every category. In comparison to its competitors, the film’s execution raised several questions regarding its technical merits and artistic choices.
An Oscars Night That Felt Like the Grammys
If you love music, you probably enjoyed the seven full-fledged musical numbers sprinkled throughout the ceremony. However, not a single one featured a nominee for Best Original Song. Instead, we were treated to Bond themes, Oz tributes, and a Quincy Jones celebration, while the actual nominees were overlooked. The Oscars’ music branch has long been a source of frustration, making baffling choices year after year. If the Academy doesn’t believe the nominated songs are worth performing, they need to fix their selection process—whether it’s by revising the voting system, screening new members for better taste, or rethinking the category altogether.
Final Thoughts
The night was a rollercoaster, full of moments of brilliance and instances that left us questioning everything. Yet, one thing remains clear: no matter who wins or loses, cinema continues to thrive. As audiences, we’ll keep watching, debating, and, most importantly, celebrating the magic of film.
Until next year, Hollywood!