The Academy Awards has been in existence for 94 years and 3,048 Oscar statuettes have been issued, yet this year feels different. Different in the sense that it feels like a real transition from classic Hollywood to New Hollywood. The audience was filled with hip bearded men and fashionably relevant women of all shades exuding power from the fierce windows of their souls.
Even with Will Packer producing, and three female hosts in Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer, the Oscars still wears diversity awkwardly. That’s apparent in the need to always bring the subject up in the acceptance speeches and jokes — by the way, the jokes were hilarious!
If anything is clear it’s that 2022 marks the beginning of a new era for the Academy Awards. One that works meticulously to end the “ISMs” ruining art, racism, sexism, ageism, and so forth. All we can say is that it’s about d–n time!
Here are the seven most dope Oscar moments that made the Academy Awards watch worthy this year.
7…Wanda Sykes Goes On A Tour Of The Academy Museum
Wanda Sykes did a hilarious bit during a tour of the new Academy Museum in Los Angeles. In the segment, she had fun confusing cinema pieces and the Museum’s lack of BIPOC history. In one particular moment, she pointed out an empty case representing “all the Oscars won by Black directors.”
For the first time, the Academy Museum hosted a special “Oscars Night at the Museum” event where the general public could buy tickets to a “one-of-a-kind evening celebrating the 94th Academy Awards.” Attendees had the chance to view the various exhibits, and watch the Oscars while enjoying food and drinks. Each visitor also received a commemorative gift, as well. The 7-hour event sold out quickly.
6…Billie Eilish Wins Her First Oscar
At just 20 years old, Billie Eilish won her first Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond film No Time to Die. Her brother and collaborator, FINNEAS, 24, accepted the award with her. Eilish became the second youngest woman to win an Oscar, following Once winner Marketa Irglovaa, who was 19.
5…Megan Thee Stallion Performs Encanto Song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
Whether Jay-Z or Beyonce are in the house or not, their spirits are certainly there. Not only was Halle Bailey, Beyonce’s artist, a presenter, but Roc Nation darling Megan Thee Stallion showed up and showed out for a very energized performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from the live animation feature Encanto. Besides Queen Latifah who won Best Supporting Actress for Chicago in 2002, it’s hard to recall the last time a female rapper received any recognition from the Academy.
Most presenting opportunities, nominations, and awards have been given to male rappers, such as Eminem, Three 6 Mafia, Ludacris, Common, and more. So what a sight and surprise it was to have Houston bred rapper Megan Thee Stallion hit the stage in an ensemble performance that included cast members of the film. She even had the chance to dig at her haters in her lyrics, telling them to add the new feat of performing at the Oscars to her stack of accomplishments. Sheesh!
4…White Men Can’t Jump & Pulp Fiction Casts Reunite
The Oscars did a great job of reuniting cast members of cult classics. Representing White Men Can’t Jump, Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, and Rosie Perez reunited 30 years after the film’s creation. Later, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Uma Thurman reunited on stage with a dance and the infamous suit case from Pulp Fiction.
3…Beyonce Performs Live At Compton Tennis Court
If you didn’t know before, now you know…Beyonce is ’bout it, ’bout it. Instead of performing “Be Alive” from the original soundtrack of the Will Smith film King Richard on stage at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, the true virgo executed a very elegant performance on the same Compton tennis courts where the Williams sisters practiced during their childhood.
The founder of athleisure brand Ivy Park was introduced by no one other than the two tennis playing sisters Venus and Serena Williams. Backed by a live band and all-woman dance troupe led by Beyonce’s daughter Blue Ivy, the ensemble was dressed in tennis ball colored garb as the queen herself sauntered across the creative minimalist stage. Hitting every note, landing every dance move, there were no missteps. Just excellence.
2…Troy Kotsur Becomes 2nd Deaf Actor To Win Oscar
It was a victory made for the books! CODA actor Troy Kotsur won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role in the film. CODA also won Best Picture, the first for streaming distributor Apple TV+.
1…The Slap Heard Around The World
The Oscars was almost nearing the Best Actor category with no serious incident, but then this happened:
Later, Will Smith explained himself in an emotional acceptance speech when he won Best Actor for his role in King Richard. Hopefully, Chris Rock and Will Smith will work it out behind the scenes. Again, no one’s perfect.
Other notable moments included Ariana DeBose winning an Oscar for her role in West Side Story, while Jessica Chastain won her first Oscar for Best Actress. Questlove also took home an Oscar for Best Documentary. DJ Nice managed the music of the night that included hits from Lupe Fiasco, Diddy, and more hip hop artists.
