Last night’s star-studded Oscars night was quite eventful, to say the least. From an actor slapping a comedian on Live TV and then later winning his first Academy Award, to the first openly Queer Afro Latina woman & first Muslim actor getting an Oscar – a lot happened in one night!
Oscars 2022 will stand out for a few firsts; CODA becomes the first film from a streaming platform to win Best picture. Ariana DeBose is the first openly Queer woman to get an Oscar. The Award ceremony also initiated a conversation on how far is too far when it comes to stand-up comedy. And finally, Riz Ahmed is now the first British-Pakistani Muslim actor to bag an Oscar.
If you missed out, we are here to fill you in on the highlights of the Award ceremony. Scroll down to find 5 things that happened during the Oscars!
1. Will Smith Slapped Chris Rock
Let’s start with the most talked-about incident that happened last night. Chris Rock, a renowned American comedian made a rather distasteful joke about Will’s wife, Jada’s Alopecia. Quoting his exact words, Rock said “Jada, I love you, G. I Jane 2, can’t wait to see it”, making a reference to her shaved head.
This outraged Will Smith who rushed to the stage, hit Rock in the face, and told him to keep his wife’s name out of his mouth. This exchange shocked those watching, who until Will got physical, thought it was mere banter between the two.
2. CODA – First Film To Win An Oscar From A Streaming Platform
Last night, CODA became the first movie that premiered on a streaming platform to win Best Picture at the Oscars. The film is a remake of a French movie, La Famille Bélier. The story follows a young girl who is the only one out of her family with the ability to hear. She finds herself torn between her responsibility towards her parents and their fishing boat and her passion for singing.
3. Will Smith Wins Oscar, Apologises To The Academy
Not too long after the Chris Rock and Will Smith fiasco, the latter won his first Academy Award, that too as Best Actor, for his performance in King Richard. He got teary-eyed during his acceptance speech and apologized to The Academy. “Love will make you do crazy things,” he said.
4. First Openly Queer Afro Latina Woman Bags An Oscar
Ariana DeBose bags her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film West Side Story. She is the first openly queer Afro Latina woman to get an Academy Award.
5. Riz Ahmed Becomes The First British-Pakistani Muslim Actor To Get An Oscar
Riz Ahmed made history by becoming the first British-Pakistani Muslim to win an Oscar. “The Long Goodbye” won the Best Live Action Short Film category, which Riz co-wrote with Aneila Karia. Not only that, the short film featured music from Riz’s original album which was released last year.
His acceptance speech was heartfelt and struck a chord with us.
“In such divided times, we believe that the role of story is to remind us there is no ‘us’ and ‘them’. There’s just ‘us’.”
Riz Ahmed
“This is for everyone who feels like they don’t belong. Anyone who feels like they’re stuck in no man’s land. You’re not alone. We’ll meet you there. That’s where the future is. Peace,” he added.
Watch The Long Goodbye Here
There you have it, a quick recap of the night. We weren’t lying when we said the Oscars night was eventful. There were a LOT of firsts and a controversy that won’t die down that easily!
