The 23rd of February was a big night for countless across the world. Not because it was two days after my birthday or anything but because on this day, millions celebrated one of the most iconic days of the Western culture: The Oscar Awards.
The Academy Awards – or more fancily known as the Oscars – is an annual American awards ceremony that honours the greatest cinematic achievements in the film industry. These awards were first presented in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and are superintended by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
This year, the primary award categories and winners from each of those categories were:
The winners are:
- Best Picture – Birdman (Alejandro González Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole)
- Best Director – Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman)
- Best Actor in a Leading Role – Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
- Best Actress in a Leading Role – Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
- Best Animated Feature Film – Big Hero 6
Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris – the When I Met Your Mother star – the awards never had a dull moment throughout the course of the show. Harris stood true to his comical streak and up kept the jovial nature of the hit awards show.
Idina Menzel and John Travolta had appeared on stage to present the 2015 Oscar for Best Original Song. While on stage, Menzel rehashed old memories and teased Travolta by calling him "Glom Gazingo". If you don’t recall, this was basically Menzel’s lighthearted, humorous tactic to get back at Travolta after he butchered Menzel’s name and called her "Adele Dazeem" at last year's Oscar ceremony.
Perhaps one of the most heartwarming moments of the Academy Awards that captured the hearts and souls of many was the inspirational speech delivered by John Legend and Common upon their acceptance for the Best Original song for “Glory” from the film Selma. Their speech, founded on the notion of the bridge being built on hope, has touched and inspired the hearts of many, giving them courage to hope on lost causes.
Although everything had gone great at the Oscars, unfortunately, Lupita Nyong’o’s Oscar Awards dress – the white custom Calvin Klein gown encrusted with 6,000 white Akoya pearls – was reported missing. The gown was estimated by the Fortune to be valued at $150,000.
While we keep tabs on the ongoing tabloids about the hit Oscar Awards, let’s also hope that Nyong’o’s stolen dress somehow turns up. Fingers crossed!