Oscars 2017 as it happened: Winners, losers, red carpet fashion
A huge upset ended the Oscars with La La Land incorrectly announced as the winner of the best picture | WATCH
- Best film blunder
- Best actress
- Best actor
- Best director
- Tourists walk in on ceremony
- Best supporting actress
- Best supporting actor
- Host Kimmel mocks Trump
- Fashion hits and misses
OSCARS 2017 AS IT HAPPENED: The 89th Academy Awards have witnessed a huge blunder as La La Land was incorrectly announced as best picture at the end of the ceremony instead of Moonlight. La La Land took the most awards of the night with six, while Australian hopes were dashed despite a record 14 nominees.
• LATEST: Oscars Twist - culprit revealed
• Top story: Blunder over best film
• Best actress: Emma Stone
• Best actor: Casey Affleck
• Best director: Damien Chazelle, La La Land
• Tourists walk in on ceremony
5.00pm: Blunder over best film
The Oscars have been thrown into turmoil with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announcing La La Land as the best picture winner when Moonlight was the victor. Beatty said there was a mistake with the envelope.
“I want to tell you what happened and it said, ‘Emma Stone La La Land’,” Beatty told the stunned audience inside the Dolby Theatre. La La Land’s cast, crew and producers were on stage celebrating and giving their speeches when it was announced there was a mix-up and Moonlight had won the top Oscar of the night.
Beatty wasn't bullshitting. He was desperately looking for another card. He got handed the wrong envelope. pic.twitter.com/Efu8sICf8Y
— Hershal (@hershal) February 27, 2017
“Very clearly even in my dreams this could not be true,” Moonlight director Barry Jenkins said.
Paying tribute to the team behind La La Land, he said: “We have been on the road with these guys and it was so gracious and so generous of them.” Australian films Lion and Hacksaw Ridge were among the best picture nominees. Host Jimmy Kimmel later joked that he knew he would he would mess up compering the ceremony.
“Personally I blame Steve Harvey for this,” referring to Harvey’s mistake in announcing the Miss Universe winner in 2015.
Amazing ending. Wish that had happened on Election Day.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) February 27, 2017
That’s where we’ll leave the blog for this year.
GTN: Big fun, thank you! The Maltesers have made me a little bit emotional. It’s not the stuff-up, really. La La Land is still Best Picture in my mind... *sniffs*
SR: We’re all level Ms. I tipped Moonlight, but you tipped best director. We agreed on the actors. So I have to keep wearing jeans ...
UPDATE: Follow the latest on how the blunder happened here
4.12pm: WAIT A MINUTE
There’s been a mistake. Moonlight has won best picture. The award was announced incorrectly.
This is not a joke.
It appears award presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the incorrect envelope when announcing Best Picture.
Beatty tried to explain the error, saying he passed the card - which read “Emma Stone for La La Land” - to Dunaway, who announced La La Land as the winner.
Emma Stone, of course, had moments earlier accepted the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in La La Land.
The correct card announcing Moonlight as Best Picture winner was later showed to the audience.
'La La Land' producer: "There's a mistake. 'Moonlight', you guys won Best Picture. This is not a joke." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/vl9PzgBaVW
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017
#LALALAND was also tweeted as the winner from @TheAcademy's account #Oscars pic.twitter.com/WNI7Pza1ZE
— C. Molly Smith (@cmollysmith) February 27, 2017
GTN: WTF??
SR: Man! They made a mistake. Moonlight has won best picture! Is this the biggest upset in Oscar history?
This must be the biggest f&*#-up in Oscars history, surely?? Moonlight in fact wins Best Picture, not La La Land. #Oscars
— Glynis Traill-Nash (@GlynisTN) February 27, 2017
4.08pm: Best film
La La Land wins!
3.56pm: Best actress
Emma Stone wins for La La Land!
SR: As even I predicted. Stone wins in a very strong field and pays tribute to them all.
GTN: For a moment all is right with the world! Totally girl-crushing on Emma. And that statuette does go very nicely with her Givenchy dress... Watch below.
3.49pm: Best actor
Casey Affleck wins for Manchester by the Sea!
SR: And the best actor in the world, right now, is ... Casey Affleck. Absolutely deserved. It’s a performance for the Oscar ages. The first person Affleck thanks is Denzel Washington, who he met tonight for the first time. He inspired him to act. Watch below.
GTN: Right? Extraordinary. I’ll even accept Ryan not winning for La La Land for this one. But Emma has to win Best Actress!
3.42pm: Best director
La La Land’s Damien Chazelle wins!
At 32, he’s the youngest ever winner of the award.
SR: Youngest ever? #overachiever
GTN: So, we’re in the final throes now. I’m sticking by my nominations for this. Whatever happens from here, La La Land will be hard to beat in terms of number of awards won ...
3.34pm: Best adapted screenplay
Moonlight wins!
SR: Bad luck for Australian poet Luke Davies - but an honour to be nominated.
3.31pm: Best original screenplay
Manchester by the Sea wins!
GTN: OK, devastated as I am that La La didn’t win, this is so deserved for Kenneth Lonergan.
SR: Good to see this brilliant, harrowing film recognised. Big Aussie moment next: Luke Davis for Lion, adapted screenplay.
3.29pm: Damon, Affleck on stage
SR: The Kimmel-Damon stoush continues. Kimmel cites We Bought a Zoo as his inspiration: “The thing with Matt is you can see how hard he’s working it’s so effortful for him. That’s the thing about Matt - he has almost no discernible talent. But it works.”
Orchestra starts playing off Matt Damon: “You can’t play me off - I’m presenting.” Watch below.
3.20pm: In memoriam
Jennifer Aniston is now introducing a tribute to those in the movie industry who have died in the last year.
GTN: May the force be with you too, Carrie. *sobs*
3.17pm: Best original song
La La Land wins!
SR: Ok Glynis is measuring my desk! (Remember we said we’d swap jobs if my predictions beat hers). Another Oscar goes to La La Land. It’s up to five. Hacksaw Ridge next with two.
3.14pm: Best original score
La La Land wins!
SR: It’s now up to four Oscars.
GTN: YESSSSS!!!
3.05pm: John Legend performs
GTN: RYAN AND EMMA PRESENT BEST SONGS FROM LA LA LAND! I am jumping in my chair. Did I mention I have the soundtrack?
SR: I can confirm chair jumping. And malteaser eating (new snacks).
GTN: I get why John Legend is performing the songs from La La Land, but I’m not sold... Am I alone?
SR: I know less about music than I do about fashion. The songs do sound nice though.
GTN: OK, now he’s bringing it...
#Oscars: Watch @JohnLegend perform 'City of Stars' from 'La La Land.' pic.twitter.com/tcIksU16HC
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017
3.04pm: Actors read mean tweets
SR: Actors are now reading insulting tweets they have received in a prerecorded piece. Eddie Redmayne is the ‘scum between my toes’. Emma Stone ‘looks like a crackwhore in every role she plays’. De Niro responds to his tweeter: ‘F..k you’.
3.03pm: What they said
Host Jimmy Kimmel opened the Oscars with a salvo of jokes targeting President Donald Trump on a night anticipated to be as remarkable for political protest as for its celebration of Hollywood.
Here is a roundup of Kimmel’s best - and worst gags, as well as key speeches from winners.
2.59pm: Best cinematography
La La Land wins!
SR: Linus Sandgren hails the director as a genius. Maybe. I’m going to enjoy being fashion editor.
GTN: IT HAS BEGUN. La La Land starts the clean up.
2.58pm: Streep avoids Trump
SR: Streep is on stage to present an award. “We make movies to reveal a deeper truth,” she says, steering clear of Trump.
GTN: Meryl rocks the Drouser!! For the uninitiated, the dress-over-trousers ensemble. So fashion forward.
SR: Drouser, under-bust cutout... See? So much to learn in your new role. OK, La La is about to start the clean up. I can feel it in my bones...
2.51pm: Where is Trump?
GTN: The name is uttered by a concerned Kimmel: “We’re more than two hours into the show and Donald Trump hasn’t tweeted once.”
He then tweets the US President: #merylsayshi
Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) February 27, 2017
2.48pm: Best short film (live action)
Sing wins!
2.44pm: Best documentary (short subject)
The White Helmets wins!
2.37pm: Best sound editing
Hacksaw Ridge wins!
Editor John Gilbert, a Kiwi, picks up the award.
2.31pm: Best visual effects
The Jungle Book wins!
SR: Absolutely right in my view. I’ve never seen computer created animals look so real. Australian Jason Billington was nominated for Deepwater Horizon.
2.30pm: Rogan in a DeLorean
Seth Rogan and Michael J. Fox arrive onstage in a DeLorean, paying tribute to Back to the Future.
2.20pm: Tourists walk in on Oscars
GTN: The first big gag of the night - a busload of tourists arrives in the theatre. Only one of them looks as surprised as they should. And none of them has put down their phone. Denzel plays wedding celebrant to one of the couples, while Jennifer Aniston hands over sunglasses as a wedding gift. Watch below
GTN: This is this year’s selfie moment, right?
SR: Ok that was the Oscars moment so far: a woman visiting the event by surprise - a crowd was pulled in off a bus - goggled-eyed at seeing Ryan Gosling up close. Then he kissed her. Even I would get a selfie with Ryan Gosling.
these people are PURPOSEFULLY not watching The Oscars tonight why would you do this to them
— LW (@lindseyweber) February 27, 2017
2.14pm: Best production design
La La Land wins!
GTN: FINALLY!! La La Land wins for best production design. May the avalanche begin!
2.12pm: Best animated feature film
Zootopia wins!
SR: Beats my favourite film of 2016, The Red Turtle.
2.10pm: Oh, Nicole!
Nicole Kidman has no idea how to clap #Oscars pic.twitter.com/BMDgcvnZsy
— Mashable (@mashable) February 27, 2017
2.09pm: Best short film (animated)
Piper wins!
2.00pm: Sting performs
1.57pm: Best foreign language film
The Salesman wins!
SR: The first shock - as the Iranian director boycotted Oscars in protest against Trump. His speech is read out, and it’s angry.
I think Toni Erdman or A Man Called Ove were the frontrunners. Australia misses out with Tanna. The Salesman is released here March 9.
1.56pm: Theron honours Maclain
SR: Sweet moment now with actors remembering the actors who inspired them. Charlize Theron chooses Shirley MacLaine - and now they’re onstage. Shirley says it’s the best compliment she’s had in 250,000 years.
GTN: Charlize Theron and Shirley MacLaine! And Charlize in Dior haute couture - was wondering who would get to snaffle that dress from the recent haute couture show.
1.43pm: Best supporting actress
Viola Davis wins for Fences!
GTN: And the crowd goes wild for Viola! And wow, what a powerful speech. “We are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.”
SR: Her third nomination. Such a strong field.
GTN: Nicole killed me in Lion.
SR: You’re right re Kidman, and all the others. Any one would have been a deserving winner.
GTN: God she’s good. I’m tearing up at an acceptance speech ...
SR: Yes, a win that the crowd is cheering. Jimmy Kimmel: “Viola Davis just got nominated for an Emmy for that speech.”
‘I’m pretty fabulous’: Read our recent interview with Viola Davis here
Watch Davis’ speech below
1.30pm: Best sound mixing
Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge wins!
Sound mixer Kevin O’Connell has had 21 Oscar nominations - a record. He looks relieved at that win. It’s an Australian-American film.
SR: Go Australia! Go Mel!
1.26pm: Best sound editing
Arrival wins.
SR: Seeing the nominations reminded me of Clint Eastwood’s Sully. I think that deserved more credit than it’s received.
1.11pm: Best documentary feature
And the winner is ... O.J.: Made in America.
Just to note, it was 467 minutes long.
GTN: And a confession here. Neither Stephen or myself has seen any of the Documentary Features ... Ahem.
SR: Don’t give away our blind spots! Plus I have seen Life Animated.
1.00pm: Best costume design
Winner: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
SR: Colleen Atwood wins best costumes for Fantastic Beasts! That makes number four for her. FOUR! La La misses one in which it was considered a strong chance. JK Rowling continues to rock!
12.58pm: Best make up and hairstyling
Suicide Squad wins!
SR: It did look good, but I thought the film was ordinary.
GTN: All I know about Suicide Squad is that my friend’s daughter went as Margot Robbie’s character to a fancy dress party. She looked cute.
SR: Suicide Squad is Aussie though! They made up Margot Robbie.
12.49pm: Best supporting actor
Mahershala Ali wins for Moonlight! His first ever nomination.
SR: Early call - but it’s Moonlight’s night!
GTN: I’m still gunning for La La! But this is so deserved. And expected.
12.38pm: Kimmel mocks Trump
GTN: Ceremony is go!
SR: Kimmel gets straight into Trump. ‘Remember last year when people thought Oscars were racist?’
GTN: And addresses last year’s “white wash”: “(This year) black people saved NASA and white people saved jazz.”
SR: Kimmel does a mock Trump on Meryl. Starting with her mediocre performance in The Deer Hunter. She stands for an ovation.
GTN: And asks Meryl if she’s wearing an Ivanka. Funny! Glad to see it’s not a trouser suit, but rather an off-shoulder Elie Saab.
Watch his opening address below
12.30am: And we’re off!
Justin Timberlake opens the awards. Watch below
12.25pm: Our top picks
SR: Glynis, as the ceremony gets underway, let’s nominate our picks for the top four categories. If you get more right than I do we’ll swap jobs. I could use a new wardrobe.
Best film: Moonlight
Best director: Mel Gibson (I just want it to happen).
Best actor: Casey Affleck
Best actress: Emma Stone.
GTN: It’s a deal! Although I have no room left on my bookshelf. My money’s on:
Best Picture: La La Land
Best Director: Damien Chazelle
Best Actor: Casey Affleck
Best Actress: Emma Stone
SR: Looks like La La Land will decide the outcome. That seems indicative of the night. I’m now hoping outsiders win everything ...
GTN: We’re getting close to ceremony time. Stephen, your thoughts on Jimmy Kimmel as host? I can’t wait. And for the continuing “stoush” between him and Matt Damon. Please, if you haven’t seen the beginning of this - just do yourselves favour and Google “F%&*ing Matt Damon” to explain.
SR: I think Jimmy will be good. He’s funny and charming. No Billy Crystal though - he was the best
12.20pm: Red carpet catch-up
Below are some of the stand out looks from today’s red carpet. Read Glynis Traill-Nash’s review of the fashion hits and misses here.
12.15pm: Denzel’s the man
SR: Denzel Washington is here and he’s the strong chance to upset best actor favourite Casey Affleck. If he does, he’ll have three Oscars (Glory, Training Day).
If Denzel does get a third Oscar, he’ll be equal with Walter Brennan, Jack Nicholson and Daniel-Day Lewis. Though the poet laureate’s son is techinally ahead as each of his was for best actor.
GTN: Denzel’s the man.
And we have another Aussie designer on the red carpet! British actress Cynthia Erivo is in Adelaide label Paolo Sebastian, by designer Paul Vasileff.
He just won Young Australian of the Year. So he’s having a good start to the year. I love that this is a little more colourful than many of his ethereal gowns, with multicoloured embroidery.
And now three’s a trend! Salma Hayek the third tonight in a headpiece. And wearing Alexander McQueen - understandable as her husband is Francois-Henri Pinault, chairman of Kering, which owns the label. And Gucci. It was always going to be one or the other.
12.01pm: Larson brings the drama
GTN: Brie Larson - finally some drama on the red carpet. I’m a little over the princess dresses and romance. This still has romance, but darker, fierce. A little ‘80s-meets-40s. #winning
Ooh, and Naomie Harris proving her fashion chops once more. White, sequined column with under-bust cutout, the new erogenous zone, FYI.
11.45am: Emma Stone is here
GTN: So, Michelle Williams is once again in Louis Vuitton. No surprises there. But this is not their best collaboration.
SR: Love Nicole Kidman. I mean I love her work. I love her accent. I once stood opposite her at a red carpet event. Not bragging, but I was slightly taller. And in love.
Nicole Kidman at the 89th Annual Academy Awards. pic.twitter.com/mV58c8Atmb
— Nicole Kidman FC (@KidmaniaFC) February 27, 2017
GTN: And Viola Davis sticking to her love of colour - bold scarlet. And a shorter ‘do.
SR: We’ll see Viola’s dress again on stage. She’s an big chance for Fences ...
And Ryan Gosling is ruff! Oh how many hearts that must set aflutter.
GTN: Ruff-ing it indeed. And love another chap pushing the tux a little further, albeit in a retro style here. And FINALLY his co-star Emma Stone has arrived! OK, so she’s not in the Chanel I had wished for, but this is sublime, perfectly fitting, a touch of flapper with the tiered fringing. And that golden hue is just aching for a matching statuette ...
SR: Emma Stone to win best actress for La La is the certainty of the night. Natalie Portman in Jackie and Isabelle Huppert in Elle are terrific but Emma Stone is the one. It’s a nuanced performance. Brave and vulnerable.
Jessica Biel is also in gold. Here she is on the red carpet with husband Justin Timberlake.
11.40am: Halle’s hair
SR: What’s that on Halle Berry’s head? It looks like she’s accompanied by her poodle.
GTN: HALLE! Hair?! The woman is a phenomenon. She. Does. Not. Age. And chose this Versace from five by the brand.
11.30am: Not Scarlett’s best
SR: Samuel L. Jackson is black and blue. Wardrobe wise.
GTN: Scarlett Johansson though - not her best work.
SR: What?! She’s stunning! And smart. And talented.
GTN: Yes to all of the above. But dull dress. I have to say, the stars are playing it pretty safe so far this year... Here’s hoping Nicole and Emma really push out the fashion boat.
Meanwhile, Dev Patel and his Mum! Love it when they bring the mums.
11.20am: What are those blue ribbons?
Several top nominees are sporting blue ribbons supporting the American Civil Liberties Union, including best actress nominee Ruth Negga and best original song nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The ACLU is among the groups suing over a travel ban imposed by President Trump’s administration that has been placed on hold by federal courts.
Director Barry Jenkins planned to wear one, and realised in the middle of a red carpet interview that he had lost it. Jenkins, who is nominated for best director for “Moonlight,” says he does not yet know what he would say if he wins an Oscar Sunday. He says, “I think art is inherently political,” and he supports any artists who speak out about politics at the awards show.
Best actor nominee Casey Affleck also wore the ribbon at Saturday’s Independent Spirit Awards, where he won the award for best male lead.
11.10am: Odds on best dressed
SR: Ok, I want your early call on the winning designer. I think Ladbrokes is offering odds ...
GTN: As in best dressed, or most dresses? We don’t yet have an overriding winner on numbers, but I’d say it’ll be Dior or Amrani Prive. Still waiting for more Chanel. And still praying Emma Stone choose that silver and pink feather concoction from the recent haute couture shows. My wishful thinking.
In fact, we’re getting to the pointier end of the red carpet now. Still haven’t spied Our Nicole, Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris or Viola Davis. So much glamour to come ...
But wait, JANELLE MONAE! In Elie Saab couture. Killing it. And another headpiece. This could be a new red carpet trend.
10.45am: Fashion A-game
GTN: And, finally a male fashion statement! Pharrell Williams in Chanel.
He has clearly been taking tips form Mr Lagerfeld.
Nice to see a dude working a tux in an individual way. I am really loving Pharrells’ man brooch... Gentlemen - take note. This will be HUGE. Maybe.
SR: Thanks. I thought he’d ducked into wardrobe and donned a sheriff’s shirt
GTN: And now Hidden Figures star Taraji P. Henson... Gorgeous. Some serious wattage around the neck there. Stephen, how much did you love Hidden Figures? What a formidable trio of women.
And Janelle Monae - not nominated herself, but in two nominated films. Very much hoping she’s headed to the ceremony. She’s an A-game fashion player.
SR: Yes, Hidden Figures is one of the films I think could upset the favourites. It’s a piece of hidden history classily examined. Though There is a bit of controversy over the film-makers perhaps bended the facts a bit.
GTN: Ah, I did not know this. But here is Octavia Spencer - god love her. And more silver - feathered Marchesa.
10.40am: Early win for Australia
GTN: Meanwhile, the romantic frockfest continues... Hailee Steinfeld is in a floral ruffled Ralph & Russo - the first Australians destined to be awarded the haute couture stamp by the French fashion authorities. Quite the achievement!
SR: A win for Australia before it even begins. By the way, are we officially on LA time? Ie. should I make a cocktail?
GTN: We are most definitely on LA time. Champagne?
SR: Well, readers don’t know this (until now) but we are sitting in the CEO’s office. He’s at a meeting. I’ll check his fridge.
GTN: Excellent! Let’s see what else he has stashed away ...
.@jtimberlake & @JessicaBiel are always so much fun! Justin, showing off Jessica's dress: "I have my own gold statuette already." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/qnMbRCjmp0
— EntertainmentTonight (@etnow) February 27, 2017
10.30am: Silver on screen
SR: Ok, I love Sting, who’s on the red carpet now. Good singer, good actor, especially in Plenty, with Meryl Streep and Sam Neill.
Matt Damon seems like such a nice man. Though I didn’t highly rate The Great Wall. It’s an interesting attempt though to boost US-China film ventures.
GTN: He does seem nice, right? I’d invite him for dinner. And back to the red carpet, Felicity Jones is in fairytale Dior. A shorter length, which is fresh, but I’m really hoping that we won’t be seeing an avalanche of princess frocks.
SR: Glynis, are we seeing a lot of silver?
GTN: Indeed, Stephen, we are. Teresa Palmer is the latest, in Prada. Apparently it’s her 31st birthday today, I hope they have cake.
SR: Maybe Mel will wear a silver tux. Or kilt. Either way, I’ll applaud.
GTN: I’d like Mel to turn up in a kilt. There should be more men in kilts.
10.25am: Negga stuns
GTN: And so, some early red carpet moments. My current style crush, Ruth Negga, is stunning in ruby Valentino, although a little fussier than I had hoped for her. Negga is nominated for Best Actress for Loving.
The racing fashion crowd here will be happy that she’s gone for a headpiece as well. And Isabelle Huppert has played it a little safer than I would have hoped, but she has stayed true to form in Armani Prive.
Which was to be expected. I had hoped she would wear a French designer, but she does love Mr Armani.
SR: I knew that was an Armani on the gorgeous Ms Huppert. No I didn’t. But she’s gorgeous. A terrific actor. She won the Golden Globe for Elle, another dark, dark film
10.20am: Can the ‘Aussies’ do it?
SR: Speaking of NewYork-born Mel, it could be a record night for the green and gold. 14 nominations is our best year yet. Two films, Lion and Mel’s Hacksaw Ridge, is unprecedented.
Viggo Mortensen on screen - more fully clothed than he is at times in Captain Fantastic. “It’s just a penis. Every man has one,’ is perhaps my favourite line in this year’s Oscar films”.
GTN: Note to self: must see that one. I did have a monumental film catchup weekend. Four films - Moonlight, Manchester By Sea, Lion and Jackie. Which was uplifting.
SR: Yes, except for La La all the 9 films are quite dark. That’s La La’s strength in one way. It cheers people up, and its about Hollywood. Manchester - which is superb - would be banned in a happy-only world.
GTN: Indeed - and I wouldn’t mind seeing Casey Affleck taking best actor for Manchester. On the off-chance that Ryan doesn’t win, of course.
SR: Ryan is too Ryan in La La. Affleck should win. He’d be a certainty if not for the off-screen allegations about him.
10.10am: And we’re live!
GTN: Mr Romei, good morning and welcome to Oscars HQ at The Australian! How are you feeling today? I hope you’ve noticed the spectacular array of snacks for the duration ...
SR: Good morning Glynis. Thanks so much for the cheezels. Is that even how you spell cheezels? My 11-year-old would know.
GTN: I think we need to get some things straight before we begin. Notably, what is your stance on La La Land? I will state unequivocally here and now that I am gaga for La La, and would wish it to win all of its categories. Except perhaps best costume, as I didn’t entirely love those, oddly. I’m certainly gunning for best film and best actress for Emma Stone.
SR: I think Emma Stone will win for sure for La La. Everytime she’s on screen you realise all the ordinariness and extraordinariness of life. RE best costume, that’s your ambit Glynis. I just hope Mel Gibson sports his Noah beard.
GTN: I’ll be happy to see the back of that beard, frankly. I’d be happy to see Jackie win best costume, but I haven’t seen Fantastic Beasts and Colleen Attwood has form here.
SR: I’m generally interested in the beard fest. Maybe should be an Oscar for one. Will Mr Gosling beard up? I hope so.
#Oscars spread at @australian HQ. We're live! pic.twitter.com/i2PaeIVN0F
— Glynis Traill-Nash (@GlynisTN) February 26, 2017
10.00am: Who is hosting?
It’s 49-year-old Jimmy Kimmel’s first time hosting the Academy Awards, though the US comedian and TV host has handled the Emmy Awards twice.
How will he deal with any anti-Trump sentiment?
“You hear people say, ‘I’m sick and tired of people talking politics at awards shows,’” he told the Los Angeles Times. “Well, I’m sick and tired of people talking about how sick and tired they are of people talking about politics at awards shows.”
9.45am: Trump ‘won’t be watching’
He’s not going to be there and has let it be known that he will not bother to watch the 89th Academy Awards, but US President Donald Trump will no doubt still be alluded to in some acceptance speeches, following in the footsteps of Meryl Streep who condemned him as a “bully” at the Golden Globes.
Anti-Trump sentiment will likely help the favourite for Foreign Language Film, Iranian film The Salesman, win as its director Asghar Farhadi, announced he would not attend the ceremony to protest the president’s failed attempt to block Iranians and citizens of six other mostly-Muslim nations from entering the US.
The tiny budgeted film miracle Tanna, by Australians Bentley Dean and Martin Butler, is a 100/1 long shot that category.
This group is representing the documentary TANNA from Australia #Oscars pic.twitter.com/eMdPcRTQfW
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) February 26, 2017
9.30am: What time do the Oscars start?
The ceremony begins at 12.30pm AEST. We should start to see the stars arriving on the red carpet shortly.
8.50am: Twister tribute for Paxton
Tonight’s ceremony will, of course, be tinged with sadness after news earlier his morning that actor Bill Paxton, who had memorable roles in such blockbusters as Apollo 13, Twister and Titanic while also cherishing his work in One False Move and other low-budget movies and in the HBO series Big Love, died from complications due to surgery at 61.
Using their Spotter Network GPS markers, hundreds of storm chasers and weather fanatics paid tribute and lined up to Paxton’s initials across the US’s “tornado alley”, in Kansas and Oklahoma, in a heartfelt ode to the late actor. Screen shots of maps depicting their “BP” tribute have been posted on social media.
Storm chasers and weather nerds are awesome. Tribute for Bill Paxton. pic.twitter.com/1evkrZKdbl
— Amber Leigh Turner🇺🇸 (@amberlturner) February 26, 2017
Paxton starred in the 1996 disaster classic Twister, in which he and Helen Hunt lead a team of scientists on a dangerous mission to gather more information about the deadly wind storms.
The movie went on to become the second-highest-grossing movie of 1996 behind Independence Day.
8.35am: High hopes for Aussies
Australians are in the hunt for a record 14 Oscars but if the bookmakers are correct Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson, Australian best picture hopefuls Lion and Hacksaw Ridge and the foreign language hope Tanna all have next to no chance of winning.
The only Australian favourites walking into the ceremony as favourites are Hacksaw Ridge sound editors Andy Wright and Robert Mackenzie.
8.15am: Who SHOULD win and who WILL win?
Some Oscar winners are more predictable than others. Last year, for instance, two years after he was nominated for The Wolf of Wall Street, nine years after Blood Diamond and 11 years after The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio won best actor for The Revenant, just as many thought he would. Of course, the Academy Awards have sprung up some well-known anomalies over the years: Citizen Kane didn’t win best picture in 1941, Francis Ford Coppola didn’t win best director for The Godfather in 1973, Rocky was judged a better film in 1977 than All the President’s Men, Network and Taxi Driver, just as Crash beat Brokeback Mountain, Capote and Good Night, and Good Luck for best film in 2006.
Predicting the Oscars is a tricky business - luckily we asked our cinematic experts, David Stratton, Philippa Hawker and Stephen Romei to run their eye over the main categories. Basically, expect La La Land to win big but there could (should?) be some big surprises.
Have your say below:
Glynis Traill-Nash 7.40am: Red carpet prediction: Best supporting actress
Given Nicole Kidman’s recent boundary-pushers (that emerald sequined Gucci macaw dress, anyone?), I’d say she’ll pare back a little today, with something statuesque – my pick would be the orange and black beaded sheath from Armani Prive (she was front row with Huppert recently).
Naomie Harris has made us stand up and pay attention to her style ever since she first appeared in Skyfall as Eve Moneypenny. As a Brit, she has been known to favour a number of that nation’s designers (Peter Pilotto, Burberry), but is equally at home in couture, such as Armani Prive, as per the recent Golden Globes. She’s been mixing it up of late, more relaxed in a Lanvin jumpsuit at the SAGs, and frivolous in Gucci at the BAFTAs. She’ll go all-out glamour today, as counterpoint to her turn as the drug-addicted mother in Moonlight.
The turn up for today will be if Michelle Williams doesn’t wear Louis Vuitton. You’d be hard pressed to find a major event in the past four months to which Williams has worn another label. And each look has been refreshingly different, so it’s not like she’s feeling the pressure to shop around. I guess when you’re on to a good thing …
Octavia Spencer has been wearing pantsuits for a number of events this year, notably a navy tuxedo by designer Laura Basci at the Golden Globes, and many recent appearances have been in darker shades. It would be wonderful to see her turn up in some eye-popping colour – fuchsia, say – or even some serious shimmer.
One not afraid of bold colour is Viola Davis, whose buttercup sequined Michael Kors gown was a standout at the Golden Globes. Here’s hoping she sticks to her guns for today’s ceremony. She hasn’t shown a particular penchant for any particular designer, so who she’ll opt for is anyone’s guess at this stage. All we do know is that she had better choose something that looks good with gold.
Glynis Traill-Nash 7.40am: Red carpet prediction: Best actress
We’re counting down the hours until the 2017 Oscars begin, and you can guarantee this will be a standout year for the red carpet, especially given the fashion savvy of those up for best and best supporting actress. We’ve got everything from red carpet royalty (Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman) to fresh fashionistas (Emma Stone, Ruth Negga). Who can tell what they will opt for today, but here’s some wishlisting to work towards ...
BEST ACTRESS: Emma Stone knows she’s in with a top chance at the top gong for La La Land, so she’ll want to choose something worthy of accessorising with a statuette. She’s got form this season with sparkle and frivolity, from Valentino and Chanel particularly, and while she can pull off looks that are more sultry, she really comes into her own in youthful looks, which also suit the nature of the film. If I had a say, I’d like to see her in another of Chanel’s recent haute couture pieces, in silver encrusted sequins and puffs of pink feathers (pictured).
Of course, Isabelle Huppert could steal this away from Stone, so she’ll also be wanting to bring her A-game. She’s worn multiple looks from Armani Prive this awards season (she was front row at the recent haute couture show in Paris), and has also dabbled in French houses Dior and Chloe. She likes comfort, and is often seen in suits and tuxedos (red and white included), but every now and then she will pull out some knockout glamour. The last time a French actress won best actress was Marion Cotillard for La Vie En Rose in 2007. She wore Gaultier. It would be wonderful to see Huppert wear a French designer — my bet would be Dior or Givenchy, for whom she appeared in an ad campaign in 2014. A variation on this 1920s-inspired black and silver Dior haute couture dress (pictured) would be a revelation.
The one to watch for me today is Ruth Negga, who has come from seemingly nowhere this season to appear as a seasoned fashion player. There were few better looks at the Golden Globes than her silver Louis Vuitton sheath with 1920s-style hair and make-up — very Metropolis. She’s made multiple appearances in Valentino and Gucci (both current fashion favourites). If I could dream, it would be to see her in the simplest of white Valentino cape dresses from the recent haute couture collection, with some astonishing jewels. Nothing says you really know your own sense of self and style than to strip things back to the barest, chicest minimum.
Givenchy has been a house of choice for Meryl Streep this awards season, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she chose them again, as they have offered her a range of styles previously, from bejewelled gown to relaxed tuxedo suiting. Given the darker tones she’s been wearing lately, I’d say she’ll go for something in a bolder hue this time around.
Natalie Portman has a baby bump to factor in this season, which she has so far worked with aplomb, in chartreuse Prada and white Dior. Given her ambassador standing with Dior, my money would be on a repeat from the house, but it will have to be something custom designed as she’s already worn the only haute couture catwalk number that could accommodate her bump.
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