Mahershala Ali, Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Casey Affleck
The 89th Academy Awards left a lot to talk about. From a shocking Best Picture fiasco to Mahershala Ali becoming the first Muslim to win an Oscar, here’s a look at the happenings that left film’s A-listers astounded in Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.
The epic Best Picture mix up:
In what was surely one of the most scandalous and jaw-dropping moments in Oscars history, “La La Land” was named Best Picture instead of “Moonlight.” The producers of “La La Land” even went through their speeches before it became apparent Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had the wrong category envelope when they announced the winner. The envelope Beatty opened was a spare one for the Best Actress category, which Emma Stone, the star of “La La Land” won. After the major blunder was rectified, the “Moonlight” team went on stage looking dazed. Price Waterhouse Coopers went on to issue an apology about Oscar night’s crazy ending.
Damien Chazelle wins Best Director for "La La Land"
Emma Stone won Best Actress in a Leading Role for " La La Land"
Mahershala Ali becomes the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar:
When Mahershala Ali secured the Best Supporting Actor trophy, he went down in the history books as the first Muslim actor to ever win an Oscar. In the sensitive coming of age drama “Moonlight,” which is directed by Barry Jenkins, he plays Juan, a Miami drug dealer who guides a young boy bullied for his sexuality. After receiving the award from Alicia Vikander, the dashing African-American breakout star made a charming speech, starting with a joke about how his grandmother would want him to button up his jacket. The “House of Cards” actor also mentioned his teachers and wife, Amatus Sami-Karim. “It's not about you. It's about these characters. You are a servant,” he said.
Adele Romanski, Jeremy Kleiner and Barry Jenkins worked on Best Picture "Moonlight"
Mahershala Ali holding the Best Actor in a Supporting Role statue for 'Moonlight'
Viola Davis makes everyone proud:
After winning the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as a long-suffering housewife in “Fences,” Viola Davis became the first black woman to win an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony Award. She has truly cemented herself as a first-class performer as only 22 other people have accomplished the triple crown of acting, as it is known. The Golden Globe winner has been nominated in the Oscars twice before. Famous for her speeches, Davis made an amazingly moving one here too. She thanked Denzel Washington and God and mentioned the graveyard, saying: “There’s one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered. One place. And that’s the graveyard."
Viola Davis wins Best Actress in a Supporting Role for 'Fences'
The Iranian director who boycotted the ceremony:
Asghar Farhadi, the Iranian who directed “The Salesman,” won for Best Foreign Language Film. However, he wouldn’t attend the ceremony due to President Trump’s executive order that blocked people from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, from entering the US. Farhadi has already received a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The director, who is one of the few to win the award more than once, sent two Iranian-Americans to replace him and relay his message. Dr Firouz Naderi is a former NASA scientist and project manager for the Mars exploration. His other choice, Anousheh Ansari, is the first woman in the world to visit space using her own funds and the first Iranian in space.
Anousheh Ansari and Dr Firouz Naderi accept director Asghar Farhadi's trophy
A sound mixer wins his first Oscar after 21 nominations:
After what is probably the longest losing streak in Oscar history, sound mixer Kevin O’Connell finally won after being shortlisted 21 times, a record for most nominations without a win. O’Connell finally scored a trophy for his work on “Hacksaw Ridge” after the excruciating 33-year wait. The sound mixer, who reportedly wrote a speech for each of his previous nominations, thanked the director and dedicated his award to his mum. “Mum I know you’re looking down on me tonight, so thank you,” he said.
Sound mixer Kevin O'Connell finally wins after 21 nominations
The ACLU ribbons on the red carpet:
Lots of stars were spotted wearing little blue ribbons to support American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a non-profit organisation that defends constitutional rights. The silent political statements served as the coolest accessory for stars like Ruth Negga, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Loving,” and “Hamilton” actor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Even Karlie Kloss, the longtime girlfriend of White House Adviser Jared Kusher‘s brother, Josh, stood in solidarity. The ribbon is a part of the organisation’s latest programme, ‘Stand With ACLU.’
Oscar nominee Ruth Negga wears a blue ACLU ribbon
A revered astronaut is celebrated:
One of the more poignant moments at the Oscars was seeing Katherine Johnson being honoured. The African American physicist and mathematician made significant contributions to America’s aeronautics and space programmes, helping send John Glenn into space and Apollo 11 to the moon. The stars of “Hidden Figures,” Octavia Spencer Janelle Monae and Taraji P. Henson, the latter portraying the 98-year-old in the film, introduced the brilliant mind.
Casey Affleck took home Best Actor in a Leading Role for "Manchester by the Sea"
The Big Winners
Best Picture: “Moonlight”
Best Actress: Emma Stone
Best Actor: Casey Affleck
Best Director: Damien Chazelle
Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis
Best supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali
Best Foreign Language Film: “The Salesman”
