Edwina Bartholomew reveals what really happens on the Oscars red carpet

SUNRISE’S Edwina Bartholomew spent the day reporting on the Oscars red carpet. And things were not as they seemed on TV.

I HAVE just seen Jennifer Lawrence in the flesh. Let’s be honest here — she essentially sprinted past me in high heels while I shouted out her name at a desperately high pitch, but it was still in the flesh.

The Oscars red carpet isn’t a competition between Best Actor and Best Actress; it’s a competition between journalists with the sharpest elbows and the loudest voice.

The carpet is about 150 metres long. It starts with those amazing shots of the stars you will eventually see in the magazines (and in the handy news.com.au gallery below).

That’s where the glamour begins and ends. The celebrities then have to run the gauntlet until they reach the entrance to the Dolby Theatre.

A glowing Margot Robbie pictured looking candidly amazing on the Oscars red carpet. Picture: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

There are three lanes — one lane for ordinary folk who are not nominated but managed to nab a free ticket, an express lane for mega celebrities who don’t need to spend the time talking to us common folk, and then there is the lane for the stars who want to chat to journalists.

Edwina Bartholomew looking gorgeous on the red carpet with her Sunrise crew.

These are the mega stars who took the express lane:

Matt Damon. I was so star struck I forgot to get a photo.

Leonardo DiCaprio. Here is an exclusive video of Leo’s back.

Cate Blanchett. She did stop for a lengthy chat with Rooney Mara, allowing me enough time for this blurry shot.

A blurry Cate Blanchett. Picture: Edwina Bartholomew

Charlize Theron. I think she really wanted to stop, as you can see here from the cracking pace she is setting to get the hell past us.

Maybe sneakers would have been more practical? Picture: Edwina Bartholomew

Of course, plenty of stars have a chat as they make their way into the ceremony. I caught up with Sly Stallone, Rooney Mara, George Miller and the Australian nominees from Mad Max. I also caught up with the hilarious Sacha Baron Cohen and his Australian wife, Isla Fisher.

There are an infinitesimal amount of people who are lucky enough to attend the Oscars and I still can’t believe that I was on the red carpet with the biggest stars in Hollywood.

My behind the scenes highlights include:

Discovering the Oscar statue is modelled on Mario Lopez from E News.

See the resemblance? Picture: Edwina Bartholomew

That nuts are rationed in Hollywood because no one eats here.

A portion of almonds: Hollywood style. Picture: Edwina Bartholomew

It is someone’s job to polish the poles at the Oscars. Enough said.

Professional pole polisher. Picture: Edwina Bartholomew

My best dressed goes to Cate Blanchett for her under the sea Armani pale green gown.

Cate Blanchett: Edwina Bartholomew’s pick for best dressed. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

My best dressed man is Jared Leto. He rocks a man brooch (mrooch) like no one’s business.

Jared Leto: Edwina Bartholomew’s pick for best dressed man. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The 2016 Oscars Red Carpet

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Sunrise Presenter Edwina Bartholomew is reporting from the Academy Awards red carpet in Los Angeles. She’ll have a full wrap from the Oscars ceremony and after parties on Sunrise tomorrow from 5.30am on Seven.

Originally published as Edwina Bartholomew reveals what really happens on the Oscars red carpet