Notable moments from the 2025 Oscars
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Hosted on Mar. 2, the 2025 Oscars was an eventful night with noteworthy performances and speeches.
Last week, I covered the events from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards with the promise that I will return to do the same for the ninety-seventh Annual Academy Awards (The Oscars). On Mar. 2, musicians, directors, actors, and others involved with Hollywood’s technical and artistic merit attended The Oscars to witness what many may consider the most prestigious awards in the film industry.
Instead of simply listing the winners and nominations, I will quickly go through moments that made me put down my homework and actually tune in to a three-and-a-half-hour ceremony that was playing on my TV.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performance:
There had been rumors that these two Wicked (2024) stars would open The Oscars with a show-stopping performance, and despite the lack of confirmation, I already had an expectation that they would open up the show with a bang. Fortunately, my assumption was correct, and viewers got to witness an amazing performance of “Defying Gravity,” with Erivo —literally— levitating with her voice and Grande tributing Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz (1939) with real ruby slippers.
Kieran Culkin acceptance speech:
I truly enjoy Culkin as an actor; his work in A Real Pain (2024), Succession (2018-2023) —and let us not forget— Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) is something to appreciate. Amidst the online bullying of acceptance speeches, however, I have yet to see people mention the strangeness of Culkin using his speech to publicly pressure his wife to have more children. I understand the lightheartedness of it all, but some jokes, especially creepy ones about something as personal as children, should be made in private.
Camille Dalmais’s awkward singing:
Emilia Pérez (2024) was a film already antagonized by viewers. Although I have not seen it, many online have expressed their discomfort with the harmful representation of transgender and Mexican people. What I did get to witness, unfortunately, was French songwriter Dalmais singing off-key into the microphone for a bit too long after accepting the award for “El Mal,” a song in the movie. Camille kept singing “Emilllliaaaaa,” while everyone on and off stage prayed for her to take the silence as a sign for her to sit down.
Anora (2024) sweeps with five awards:
The indie film Anora (2024) took home the awards for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. I have to say, I wasn’t paying attention to this movie before, but after hearing its name called multiple times during the ceremony, I feel like I have to now.
Doja Cat performing during the James Bond tribute:
If there was one thing I had my fingers crossed to see during the James Bond tribute at The Oscars, it was to see Adele perform “Skyfall.” As we know, not all dreams come true, and to my utter surprise, rapper Doja Cat appeared on stage to belt through “Diamonds Are Forever.”
After receiving hate for her performance, Doja Cat took to Instagram to say, “I never get to sing like that and what I did was brave and scary as f--- for me." I cannot say I fully enjoyed her theatrical approach to the song, but I disagree with those insisting she was “off-key” and “ear-bleeding.” I think she did okay, and her performance dress was absolutely beautiful.
While the 2025 Oscars were certainly filled with awkward speeches and unexpected victories, there were plenty of jokes made by host Conan O’Brien and notable performances to make this a worthwhile way to spend a Sunday night. No matter what the Oscar season looks like, the night is always worth discussing.