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95th Academy Awards: Forgotten celebrity deaths spark Oscars fury

A major star has blasted a controversial Oscars segment while fans are divided over Lady Gaga’s dramatic rush to help a photographer.

Mira Sorvino has blamed the Oscars for omitting her father Paul Sorvino from the Oscars 2023 In Memoriam segment.

The Oscar-winning star took to social media, calling the move “baffling beyond belief”.

She told fans she was “hurt and shocked” by the decision to leave the beloved Goodfellas star out of the ceremony.

John Travolta introduced the segment. Picture: AFP
John Travolta introduced the segment. Picture: AFP

Sorvino’s Goodfellas co-star Ray Liotta, who died last May aged 67, was featured in the segment, which was introduced by a tearful John Travolta who choked up when he paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John.

During the segment, Lenny Kravitz performed his hit Calling All Angels while a slideshow featured images of departed stars and Hollywood figures in the background.

Lenny Kravitz and guitarist Craig David Ross perform onstage during the In Memoriam segment. Picture: AFP
Lenny Kravitz and guitarist Craig David Ross perform onstage during the In Memoriam segment. Picture: AFP

Mira had originally shared a joyous clip of Oscar night in 1996, when she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite.

The clip showed Paul Sorvino crying tears of happiness as his daughter thanked him during her emotional speech.

She later edited her tweet when she learned her “brilliant thespian” father had been left out of the In Memoriam segment.

The segment also failed to honour actors Anne Heche, Tom Sizemore and Leslie Jordan.

Paul Sorvino died last July at the age of 83. Picture: Getty Images
Paul Sorvino died last July at the age of 83. Picture: Getty Images
Anne Heche was not featured in the Oscars segment. Picture: AFP
Anne Heche was not featured in the Oscars segment. Picture: AFP
Much-loved star Leslie Jordan was not featured in the televised segment. Picture: AFP
Much-loved star Leslie Jordan was not featured in the televised segment. Picture: AFP
Talented actor Tom Sizemore, who died earlier this month after suffering a brain aneurysm, did not get a mention. Picture: AFP
Talented actor Tom Sizemore, who died earlier this month after suffering a brain aneurysm, did not get a mention. Picture: AFP

She wrote: “PS when I posted this I had not learned of Dad’s omission and that of several other incredible artists from the in Memoriam section.

“Incredibly hurt and shocked that my father’s lifelong, irreplaceable, enormous contribution to the world of cinema was overlooked by whomever made that list.

“We his adoring family, and you, his adoring public, know just how unique and incredible he was. We hope The Academy does something to put this right.”

Fans on Twitter called for the Academy to overhaul the segment, with one saying it should not be “a showcase for a singer” but instead feature audio and vision of the late stars’ greatest moments.

Last year’s In Memoriam segment — which featured a choir dancing and singing a celebratory version of Spirit in the Sky — caused controversy when comedian Bob Saget was left out.

The 2020 Oscars segment also caused a stir by omitting Luke Perry, Jan-Michael Vincent, Michael J. Pollard and Tim Conway.

GAGA’S ACT OF KINDNESS

Fans are divided over Lady Gaga’s act of kindness as she walked the “champagne carpet” at the Oscars.

The Oscar-nominated singer’s grand entrance was interrupted by a photographer who rushed to snap an image of the star in her daring Versace dress.

As he ran after Gaga, the photographer lost his footing and took a nasty fall.

A shocked Gaga ran to the man’s aid and he gave her a quick pat on the hip.

Fans took to social media to point out that the superstar appeared annoyed by the man’s physical touch.

“She helps you and you tap her there in return? That’s so not okay,” one fan tweeted.

“Kinda weird that he touched her waist like that but let’s just hope it was cos he was nervous and didn’t realise,” another said.

HUGH GRANT’S ‘VANITY FAIR’ MOMENT

Hugh Grant’s awkward Oscars interview with American plus-sized model Ashley Graham continues to divide fans.

The actor caused a ruckus when he appeared bored and rolled his eyes as Graham interviewed him before the ceremony.

“No one in particular,” Grant responded when asked if he was backing anyone to win.

When asked about his tuxedo, the actor dismissed it as a result of his unknown tailor’s work.

When Graham mentioned his movie Glass Onion, he quipped, “Well I’m barely in it. I’m in it for three seconds.”

The actor appeared to reference Vanity Fair, the 1848 satirical novel about social climbers, when asked by Graham what he liked most about the ceremony.

“It’s fascinating … the whole of humanity is here … it’s Vanity Fair,” he said.

Hugh Grant attended the Oscars with wife Anna Eberstein. Picture: Getty Images
Hugh Grant attended the Oscars with wife Anna Eberstein. Picture: Getty Images

Graham, however, thought he was referring to the famous post-Oscars party thrown by the glossy magazine.

“Oh yes, it’s all about Vanity Fair, that’s where we need to let loose and have a little fun,” she replied as Grant looked bemused.

At the end of the interview Grant rolled his eyes and walked off.

Some regarded it as British sarcasm, but many viewers’ sympathies were with Graham.

Piers Morgan blasted Grant’s behaviour as “pathetically juvenile” and called the actor “a d---”.

Andie MacDowell and Hugh Grant backstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards. Picture: Getty Images.
Andie MacDowell and Hugh Grant backstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards. Picture: Getty Images.

Others described the star as “rude” and queried why he agreed to be interviewed if “he didn’t want to be there”.

“If you don’t want to be interviewed, don’t take the mic, smile politely and keep walking.” another fan tweeted.

British comedian David Baddiel tweeted: “Those on here having a go at Hugh Grant for being rude on the Oscars red carpet have perhaps mixed up the word rude with the word real.”

Grant later presented the Oscar for best production design award with his Four Weddings and a Funeral co-star Andie MacDowell.

He had the audience in stitches when he referred to himself as looking like a “scrotum” as he had never used moisturiser.

STARS GO NEARLY NAKED

A-list stars such as model and podcaster Emily Ratajkowski, and American singer Ciara turned heads at the Vanity Fair afterparty for last night’s star-studded event, ditching their bras for their eye-popping ensembles.

At the Oscars Vanity Fair bash, Ratajkowski opted for a sheer, floor-length gown and went topless underneath.

US model Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vanity Fair 95th Oscars Party at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Picture: AFP
US model Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vanity Fair 95th Oscars Party at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Picture: AFP

Two embroidered seams held things in place with the sheer silver mesh fabric rising to a high neckline.

The model mum, who gave birth to son Sylvester in 2021, added nude-coloured high-cut undies to complete the look.

Emily Ratajkowski displays the barely there look. Picture: AFP
Emily Ratajkowski displays the barely there look. Picture: AFP

Also posing in an all-mesh outfit with no bra in place, but even more revealing than Em-Rat’s – was American singer and actress Ciara.

The stunning performer left little to the imagination, donning just a black bikini-cut thong underneath the halter-neck coverall which didn’t cover much. She paired the look with long black gloves.

US singer Ciara attends the Vanity Fair 95th Oscars Party at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Picture: AFP
US singer Ciara attends the Vanity Fair 95th Oscars Party at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Picture: AFP

Another star who opted for the see-through look was Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio.

The mesh, backless dress, embroidered longsleeve silver dress revealed a no-bra look and a tiny string bikini silver thong underneath.

Alessandra Ambrosio attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Picture: Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Alessandra Ambrosio attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Picture: Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Numerous other stars also adhered to the practically invisible dress code, including Where the Crawdads Sing actress Daisy Edgar-Jones.

The popular star dazzled in a horizontally bejewelled sheer dress that was paired with a nude bodysuit underneath.

Daisy Edgar-Jones attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Picture: Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Daisy Edgar-Jones attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Picture: Getty Images for Vanity Fair

And Desperate Housewives favourite Eva Longoria wore a fabulous floor-length black gown, but ditched her bra beneath her heart-shaped black velvet bodice. She demonstrated the dress’s sheer and see-through skirt with a dramatic swirl, showing off her toned thighs.

Eva Longoria attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Eva Longoria attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

– With The Sun

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/alisters-leave-little-to-the-imagination-at-oscars-afterparties/news-story/ae2d56681adeef319d0be1311d058d96