The Academy Awards telecast had its fair share of memorable highlights, like John Cena’s naked presentation of the costumes category, or Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s faux “Barbenheimer” feud while presenting a special tribute to stunt professionals.
But there was plenty that the audience at home didn’t see, from the pre-show pandemonium caused by late arrivals to the sweetest interactions at the Governor’s Ball after party.
See the full list of Oscar winners here.
Late Start
Viewers at home may not have noticed when the broadcast began, but the room was filled with chaos in the moments before the program, causing a five-minute delay to the show’s start. The ceremony was slated to begin earlier than usual this year, bumped up an hour to 4 p.m. PT. Couple that with hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters shutting down a major section of Hollywood and many A-listers arrived with just seconds to spare. Michelle Yeoh rushed down the aisle of the Dolby Theater just as the show kicked off and the orchestra began.
‘I’m Just Ken’ preparation and a rapturous audience reception
Simu Liu got on the mic ahead of Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken,” asking the audience to hold up their phone flashlights and sing along to the epic masculine power ballad. TV cameras picked up Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s awestruck responses, but the entire room had a similarly exciting reaction, gasping and applauding at every beat of Gosling’s performance.
Cord Jefferson and Sterling K. Brown’s sweet trophy moment
At the Governors Ball afterparty, Sterling K. Brown watched from the sidelines as Cord Jefferson got his Oscar for best adapted screenplay engraved. “I just wanna see,” Brown said, beckoning to hold the fresh statue and screaming in delight. “That’s yours, brother,” Jefferson said. “We did this together. That’s as much yours as it is mine. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Billie Eilish ditches her shoes
The “What Was I Made For?” singer, who became the youngest two-time winner ever with her trophy for best original song, held her black heels behind her back as she got her Oscar engraved at the Governor’s Ball. Donning white knee socks, she was flanked at the party by brother Finneas (with whom she shared the win) and mom Maggie Baird.
Emma Stone and husband Dave McCary’s rare PDA
Emma Stone’s husband, writer Dave McCary, showed his support for the two-time Oscar winner at the Governor’s Ball, holding her waist as she got her statue engraved and giving her a sweet kiss on the cheek as she took her first photos with the trophy.