Entertainment

Anora was the big winner at the 97th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday.

The independent, Neon-distributed film, directed by Sean Baker, took home the biggest award of the evening with best picture. It also won best actress, best director, best editing and best original screenplay.

After the ceremony, Baker and the film’s star, Mikey Madison, spoke to press backstage about how surreal it was for the film to have won five Oscars.

“I never thought anything like this would happen in my life,” Madison said. “I love making movies and I’ve dreamed of being an actress that would be able to be in a film like Anora my entire career as an actress. It’s a huge honor, one that I think will soak in later down the line, hopefully.”

The film follows a young sex worker from Brooklyn who marries the son of a Russian oligarch after a whirlwind romance. While speaking to press after his four Oscar wins, Baker said he thinks sex work should be decriminalized.

“It’s our oldest profession, yet it has an incredible, unfair stigma applied to it,” Baker said. “What I’ve been trying to do with my films is sort of chip away at that very unfair stigma. Personally, I think it should be decriminalized, and I guess through my work, through hopefully humanizing my characters that are usually seen as perhaps caricatures in most film and television, it will help do that.”

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Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell is reflecting on his historic Oscar win.

Tazewell, who became the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design on Sunday night, took to Instagram on Monday and shared how the recognition has been his “North Star.”

“Winning the Oscar for Wicked is the highest point of my life,” he captioned the post. “It is my privilege to be the first Black Man to receive an Academy Award for Outstanding Costumes.”

He continued, “I have evolved into that inspiring figure that I had been longing to emulate as a developing designer. I receive this beautiful recognition with immense pride and I dedicate it to everyone who has the dream to fly.”

During his acceptance speech, Tazewell acknowledged how he is the first Black man to win an Oscar for best costume design.

Upon mentioning that, many in the audience rose to their feet and gave him a round of applause, including Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Rachel Zegler.

In the Oscars press room, Tazewell spoke about the significance of his win and what it will mean for those who want to follow his path.

“This is the pinnacle of my career,” he said. “I’ve been designing costumes for over 35 years. Much has been on Broadway and now into film. And the whole way through, there was never a Black male designer that I saw that I could follow, that I could see as inspiration. To realize that that’s actually me, it becomes a Wizard of Oz moment.”

He continued, “You know, it’s like there’s no place like home. So to come back to the inspiration being inside of me is really remarkable.”

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Adrien Brody made history with his best actor Oscar win for The Brutalist Sunday night, setting the record for longest Oscar acceptance speech ever.

His speech ran five minutes and 40 seconds – way over the allotted 45 seconds winners get for their speeches. According to Guinness World Records, the previous record holder was Greer Garson, who spoke for five minutes and 30 seconds when she won for Mrs. Miniver in 1943.

The broadcast tried to play Brody off with music, but he wouldn’t have it.

“Turn the music off!” he said. “I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief.”

Brody previously won best actor in 2003 for The Pianist, and they tried to play him off that time, as well. During that speech, he said, “One second, please. One second. Cut it out. I got one shot at this. I didn’t say more than five names, I don’t think.”

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Zoe Saldaña responded to a reporter who had critiques of Emilia Pérez in the press room following her best supporting actress win at the 2025 Oscars Sunday.

The Mexican reporter set up their question by saying a lot has been said about trans people and empowering women, “but less has been said about Mexico, which is the heart of it.” The reporter asked Saldaña for her thoughts on that, a topic they said was “really hurtful for us Mexicans.”

Saldaña began by saying, “First of all, I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke and came from a place of love, and I will stand by that.”

“I don’t share your opinion,” Saldaña continued. “For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren’t making a film about a country. We were making a film about four women. And these women could have been Russian. They could have been Dominican. They could have been Black from Detroit. Could have been from Israel. Could have been from Gaza. And these women are still very universal women that are struggling every day at trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find their most authentic voices.”

Saldaña ended her response by saying, “So I will stand by that, but I’m also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters and with love and respect having a great conversation on how Emilia could have been done better. I have no problem. I welcome it.”

Saldaña’s response has received mixed reaction on social media, with some calling her response dismissive and disrespectful.

Heading into awards season, Emilia Pérez was a juggernaut film.

It was nominated for 13 awards at the 2025 Oscars, ultimately winning two: best supporting actress for Saldaña and best original song for “El Mal,” which Saldaña actually sang in the film.

The film has faced criticism for how it tackled its central themes — including from LGBTQ+ critics over its trans representation, those who took offense to previous comments by the film’s director, Jacques Audiard, about the Spanish language, and how the film depicted Mexican cartels and their victims.

In recent weeks, star Karla Sofía Gascón also came under fire for past offensive social media posts.

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A series adaptation based on Crazy Rich Asians is headed to Max. Adele Lim, who wrote the 2018 film directed by Jon M. Chu, will be the showrunner and executive produce the series, Variety reports. Chu will return as an executive producer. The show will be based off of Kevin Kwan‘s book series of the same name, of which the first novel was published in 2013. It is not yet known if the cast from the film will reprise their roles in the series …

Al Pacino has joined the cast of the upcoming thriller Dead Man’s Wire. According to Deadline, the film will be directed by Gus Van Sant from a screenplay by Austin Kolodney. Pacino joins a previously announced cast that also includes Bill Skarsgard, Dacre Montgomery, Myha’la, Cary Elwes and Colman Domingo …

Season 2 of Nathan Fielder‘s comedy series The Rehearsal now has a premiere date and teaser trailer. The six-episode season of the original HBO series premieres on April 20 on the network. Episodes will drop on Max on Sundays at 10:30 p.m. According to its logline, season 2 follows the same premise of the first season, but “the urgency of Fielder’s project grows as he decides to put his resources toward an issue that affects us all” …

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As usual, what the stars wore to the Oscars was just as important as who won the night’s awards, and there were certainly some stunners on the red carpet this year.

The Wicked gals showed up in full glam, with Ariana Grande wearing a pale pink Schiaparelli gown with a wide skirt embellished with crystals and rhinestones, while Cynthia Erivo wore a dramatic velvet dress in forest green, a nod to her Wicked character Elphaba, from Louis Vuitton.

Among the other stunners on the red carpet: Demi Moore wore a body-hugging silver Giorgio Armani Prive dress covered in crystals; Selena Gomez wore a pale pink Ralph Lauren gown, also covered in Swarovski crystals; Elle Fanning wore a stunning white lace gown from Sarah Burton, with a black velvet bow at the waist; and Halle Berry wore a strapless gown that appeared to be covered in mirrors.

The men also brought it on the red carpet. The always fashionable Colman Domingo dressed in a red custom Valentino jacket, with a black lapel and matching black pants, while Timothée Chalamet certainly stood out in his butter yellow suit by Givenchy. Actors going with a more classic tuxedo look included Sebastian Stan and Adrien Brody.

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The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, aired live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 2.

Anora was the night’s big winner, taking home five Oscars including best picture, best director for Sean Baker and best actress for Mikey Madison.

Here are the winners:

Best supporting actor
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Best animated short film
In the Shadow of the Cypress

Best animated feature film
Flow

Best costume design
Wicked, Paul Tazewell  

Best original screenplay
Anora, Sean Baker

Best adapted screenplay
Conclave, Peter Straughan

Best costume design
Wicked, Paul Tazewell

Best makeup and hairstyling
The Substance

Best film editing
Anora, Sean Baker

Best supporting actress
Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

Best production design
Wicked

Best original song
“El Mal” from Emilia Pérez

Best documentary short film
The Only Girl in the Orchestra

Best documentary feature film
No Other Land

Best sound
Dune: Part Two

Best visual effects
Dune: Part Two

Best live action short film
I’m Not a Robot

Best original score
The Brutalist, Daniel Blumberg

Best international feature film
I’m Still Here (Brazil)

Best cinematography
The Brutalist, Lol Crawley

Best actor
Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Best director
Sean Baker, Anora

Best actress
Mikey Madison, Anora

Best picture
Anora

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There was no clear front-runner for best picture going into Oscar night, but in the end it was the independent film Anora that grabbed the trophy, beating out The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Emilia Pérez and Wicked for the top honor.

“We made this with very little money but all of our hearts,” producer Samantha Quan said in her acceptance speech. “To all of the dreamers and the young filmmakers out there, tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you. I promise you, you will never regret it.”

The film’s director, Sean Baker, shared, “I want to thank the academy for recognizing a truly independent film. This film was made on the blood sweat and tears of incredible indie artists,” adding, “Long live independent film.”

Best picture was one of five awards Anora won Sunday night. The others were original screenplay, film editing, directing and actress for Mikey Madison.

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Sean Baker won best director at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday night.

This was his third Oscar win of the night for his film Anora. He also won for his original screenplay and for editing the movie. It was his first nomination in the best director category. Later on, he won best picture as a producer on Anora, meaning he won all four Oscars he was nominated for at the ceremony.  

Baker was nominated alongside Brady Corbet, James Mangold, Jacques Audiard and Coralie Fargeat — who were all first-time nominees in the category.

Quentin Tarantino, a two-time winner in the category, took to the stage to announce this year’s best director nominees.

In his acceptance speech, Baker advocated for the importance of movie theaters.

“Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater. Watching a film in a theater with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together, scream in fright together, perhaps sit in devastated silence together,” Baker said. “And in a time where our world can feel very divided this is more important than ever.”

He then asked filmmakers to continue making movies for the big screen.

“I know I will,” Baker said. “Let’s keep the great tradition of the moviegoing experience alive and well.”

Baker closed out his speech by wishing his mother a happy birthday.

“My mother introduced me to cinema at 5 years old. Today is also her birthday. Happy birthday, Mom, I love you, thank you for everything.”

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The Academy Award for best actress goes to Mikey Madison. She was awarded for her role in Anora, beating out fellow nominees Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Demi Moore (The Substance) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here).

“This is very surreal,” Madison began her speech. “I grew up in LA but Hollywood always felt so far for me. To be standing in this room is really incredible.” She then thanked a list of individuals, including her parents and siblings. 

With Anora, Madison said her hope was to “honor the sex worker community,” for which she “will continue to support and be an ally.” 

She then recognized the “breathtaking work” of the other women nominated in the category. “This is a dream come true,” she said.

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