It's that time of year again as the 97th Academy Awards, or Oscars, have rolled around, capturing the attention of stars, film lovers, and fashion aficionados alike. This year, the Spanish-language musical, *Emilia Pérez*, takes the lead with an impressive 13 nominations but faces backlash due to offensive tweets from its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, resurfacing recently. Other top contenders include *Wicked*, *The Brutalist*, *Conclave*, and *Anora*, making the race for best picture a nail-biter. Presented by comedian Conan O'Brien from Los Angeles, the awards ceremony will commence at 16:00 (PT), 19:00 (ET), and midnight (GMT). Expect many mentions of the tragic wildfires that ravaged parts of LA, displacing numerous residents.
*Emilia Pérez*, detailing a Mexican drug lord's gender transformation, is vying for not only best picture but also best actress with Gascón and best supporting actress with Zoe Saldaña. This nomination marks a historic moment, as Gascón becomes the first trans actor nominated in an acting category. However, unlike last year when *Oppenheimer* dominated, *Emilia Pérez’s* potentials now seem shaky due to controversies. Closely trailing with 10 nominations each are *The Brutalist*, featuring Adrien Brody, and *Wicked*, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Demi Moore has also earned her first Oscar nod for *The Substance*, with *Conclave*’s Ralph Fiennes competing for best actor.
This awards season has proven unpredictable. Moore's likely path to victory might have stumbled after her competitor Mikey Madison of *Anora* secured a surprise win at the BAFTAs, elevating her profile among nominees. Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet's noteworthy SAG Awards victory has made him a fierce contender against Brody in the best actor category. Zoe Saldaña looks poised for success in best supporting actress, while Kieran Culkin leads in best supporting actor.
It's essential to recognize that this year's Oscars reflect a change in diversity, with nominees displaying a broader spectrum of representation than a decade ago when the #OscarsSoWhite controversy erupted. However, representation issues, particularly concerning female directors, remain evident, as Coralie Fargeat stands as the only nominated woman in that category.
As for star attendance, past acting winners like Robert Downey Jr., Emma Stone, and Cillian Murphy are expected to grace the red carpet, along with nominees. However, it remains uncertain if Gascón will fully participate following recent controversies. Presenters include Hollywood icons like Halle Berry and Whoopi Goldberg.
The backdrop of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles has cast a shadow over this year's Oscars. The ceremony, despite being a moment of celebration, is aware of the city’s struggles, in which the nominees' reveal was postponed multiple times due to the disaster. The Academy has assured attendees that tributes will be made to acknowledge those affected by the fires while celebrating cinematic achievements.
This year, the ceremony will showcase a performance from *Wicked* stars Erivo and Grande, who will perform a medley of the beloved musical. This is a departure from customary performances by original song nominees, with an expected runtime of 10 minutes. Joining the lineup are performers like Doja Cat and members of Blackpink, among others.
Tune into the Oscars live on Sunday, March 2nd, from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with festivities being broadcast on ABC in the US and across more than 200 territories worldwide. UK viewers can catch the event on ITV and ITVX. As this thrilling awards season comes to a close, viewers around the globe await the night's anticipation and celebration of film.
