Oscars 2017 Live: Not La La Land, Moonlight wins Best Picture; biggest WTF moment of the ceremony

Hear Barry Jenkins’ acceptance speech for Best Picture win for Moonlight:

.@BandryBarry on Best Picture for "Moonlight": "Even in my dreams this could not be true. But to hell with dreams." https://t.co/bkJCcIs2Vw pic.twitter.com/olyJ2OD5FV

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

That moment when…

WATCH: Moment where crew/cast of 'La La Land' realizes a mistake had been made and 'Moonlight' actually won Best Picture. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/WCCopwsJ66

— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

This was a ceremony were the Oscars ALMOST redeemed themselves. I now look forward to Trump tweeting about how the goof up was FAKE NEWS and BAD. Cheers!

Final word: Oscars 2017 was a great show. Jimmy Kimmel was funny, the Kimmel-Damon rivalry was the highlight, La La Land probably didn’t deserve some of the awards it got, and Warren Beatty needs new glasses.

Here’s the complete list of winners at the 89th Academy Awards. La La Land is — despite the Best Picture gaffe — taking home no fewer than five golden statuettes from the Oscars 2017.

The moment when the Best Picture goof-up happened: 

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/BZazzgb5bC

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) February 27, 2017

The big award for the night was marked by a major goof-up as La La Land was first announced Best Picture winner. However, even as the team came on stage to take their award, presenter Warren Beatty realised that he had been handed the wrong envelope (he had Emma Stone’s Best Actress note) and corrected himself. Moonlight was then announced as the winner for Best Picture. 

And the Oscar for Best Picture goes to Moonlight

Here are the nine nominees in the running: 

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Manchester by the Sea

Lion

Moonlight

…And the winner is: Moonlight

Hear Emma Stone’s emotional Best Actress Oscar acceptance speech here: 

Emma Stone gives emotional #Oscars speech: Statuette "a really beautiful symbol to continue on" my journey. https://t.co/vG5LjQdCo9 pic.twitter.com/H3W542OEUD

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Controversy over Casey Affleck’s win: 

last year brie larson won for playing a victim of sexual assault and she just had to present an oscar to casey affleck, a sex criminal

— allison 😵‍💫 picurro (@freakwharf) February 27, 2017

Ryan Gosling watches as Emma Stone thanks him "for being the greatest partner on this crazy adventure." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/mkImHibYTh

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

The trailers of all of Emma Stone’s upcoming films will now include the voice over: “ACADEMY AWARD WINNER EMMA STONE’… Casey Affleck and Emma Stone for the top wins. #OscarsStillSoWhite?

Hear the full acceptance speech by Best Actor winner Casey Affleck: 

Casey Affleck gives #Oscars acceptance speech: "I'm really proud to be a part of this community...I'm just dumbfounded that I'm included." pic.twitter.com/TpDF3LHlkR

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Casey Affleck’s acceptance speech doesn’t win him too many fans:

Oscar for Best Actress in a Lead Role goes to Emma Stone for La La Land

Isabelle Huppert, Elle

Ruth Negga, Loving

Natalie Portman, Jackie

Emma Stone, La La Land

Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

…And the winner is: Emma Stone for La La Land

And… Leonardo Di Caprio is on stage to present the Best Actress in a Lead Role Award.

Congratulations to Casey Affleck. I look forward to his next film in which he plays a ghost covered by a white sheet for the entirety of the film!

Hear Damien Chazelle’s acceptance speech for Best Director here: 

Damien Chazelle: "This was a movie about love, and I was lucky enough to fall in love while making it." https://t.co/vG5LjQdCo9 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/N6BN286mCZ

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Hear Damien Chazelle’s acceptance speech for Best Director here: 

Damien Chazelle: "This was a movie about love, and I was lucky enough to fall in love while making it." https://t.co/vG5LjQdCo9 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/N6BN286mCZ

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

And the Oscar for Best Actor in a Lead Role goes to Casey Affleck for Manchester By The Sea

The nominees were:

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

Ryan Gosling, La La Land

Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington, Fences

…And the winner is: Casey Affleck for Manchester By The Sea

Damien Chazelle becomes the youngest winner of the Best Director Oscar. Happy for him, but La La Land was perhaps not worth it.

Congratulations to Damien Chazelle who has pulled a Martin Scorsese at such a young age — winning the Best Director award for his worst film.

Oscar for Best Director goes to Damien Chazelle for La La Land

Denis Villeneuve, Arrival

Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge

Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

…And the winner is: Damien Chazelle for La La Land

Congratulations to Moonlight for adapted screenplay. But I’ll be honest — there are many things great in Moonlight, like performances, photography and direction. But writing isn’t one of them. The third act is cloying, melodramatic and completely implausible.

Kennth Lonergan looks as depressed as the people in his film. Much deserved win for Manchester By The Sea. 

While we take a short break from the 89th Academy Awards ceremony, test your Oscars knowledge by taking this quick quiz:

Meanwhile, praise for Jimmy Kimmel’s hosting from Ellen DeGeneres: 

People are clearly loving this year’s show! 

.@JimmyKimmel, you've got this job for life. #Oscars

— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) February 27, 2017

Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay goes to Barry Jenkins for Moonlight

Arrival

Fences

Hidden Figures

Lion

Moonlight

…And the winner is: Barry Jenkins for Moonlight

What a great throwback it was seeing Damon and Affleck on stage to present the Original Screenplay Oscar. Took me right back to this moment, 20 years ago: 

Among the fun moments on stage were when Matt Damon and Ben Affleck stepped on stage to present the Best Original Screenplay Oscar. Not only did host Jimmy Kimmel merely introduce them as “Ben Affleck and Guest”, when Damon started to introduce the nominees, the orchestra began to play loud, drowning out his voice, even as he protested, “I’m not even making an acceptance speech!"

The Oscar for the Best Original Screenplay goes to Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea

The nominees were: 

Hell or High Water

La La Land

The Lobster 

Manchester by the Sea

20th Century Women

…And the winner is: Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea

Of all the faces on screen in the ‘In Memoriam’ section, this one felt the most painful: 

Rest in peace, Anton Yelchin…#Oscars pic.twitter.com/7gT6aPIbiU

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

In Memoriam

The 89th Academy Awards just paid a moving tribute to those form the film fraternity who passed away over the year gone by. 

Among them were Carrie Fisher, Kenny Baker, Prince, Mary Tyler Moore, and Anton Yelchin.

Those celebrating La La Land’s music should go and watch these two films immediately: The Lure and Sing Street.

Oscar for Best Original Song goes to ‘City of Stars’ from La La Land

“Audition: The Fools Who Dream” — La La Land

“Can’t Stop the Feeling” — Trolls

“City of Stars” — La La Land

“The Empty Chair” —  Jim: The James Foley Story

“How Far I’ll Go” — Moana

…And the winner is: ‘City of Stars’ from La La Land

Oscar for Best Original Score goes to Justin Hurwitz for La La Land

Nominees were:

Jackie

La La Land

Lion

Moonlight

Passengers 

…And the winner is: Justin Hurwitz for La La Land

What an amazing performance by John Legend. ‘City of Stars’ has got to be my favourite song from La La Land.

.@johnlegend performs Oscar-nominated song from "La La Land." https://t.co/dP673ZUt1P #Oscars pic.twitter.com/NCLW9SMmBp

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

This scene lost the cinematography Oscar:

La La Land trivia: It was shot on film in a 2.55:1 ratio that required Panavision to build new ground glass for the lenses. I didn’t know that; did you?

Arrival should’ve won for Cinematography! We’ve never seen aliens look like that. Or their spaceships. It was so beautiful!

I was personally siding with Bradford Young for Arrival for the Cinematography Oscar_._ Sci-fi has never looked so ‘dirty’.

Linus Sandgren just won his first Oscar for Cinematography on La La Land. This is La La Land’s second Oscar win of the night.

Oscar for Best Cinematography goes to Linus Sandgren for La La Land

The nominees included:

Arrival

La La Land

Lion

Moonlight

…And the winner is: Linus Sandgren for La La Land

#Oscars audience stands in honor of the White Helmets, volunteers who assist wounded in Syrian war zones. https://t.co/fL66m3Sqn2 pic.twitter.com/kme6Bykt17

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Statement read on behalf of The White Helmets:

Statement read on behalf of Raed Al Saleh, head of the White Helmets: "Work on the side of life...stop the bloodshed in Syria." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/KlaAN5zR6v

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

And here’s host Jimmy Kimmel taking a dig at Donald Trump:

He followed that up with “Meryl says hi”!

Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) February 27, 2017

The White Helmets cinematographer Khalid Khateb was denied entry into the US . The film just won the Oscar.

Oscar for Best Live-Action Short goes to Sing

Ennemis Interieurs

La Femme et le TGV

Silent Nights

Sing

Timecode

…And the winner is: Sing

#ICYMI — the Sunny Pawar-Jimmy Kimmel exchange:

. @JimmyKimmel lifts 8-year-old “Lion” actor Sunny Pawar into the air in reenactment of “Lion King” scene. https://t.co/HnlDqe809w #Oscars pic.twitter.com/7S3YskFsLw

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject goes to The White Helmets

The nominees are:

Extremis

4.1 Miles

Joe’s Violin

Watani: My Homeland

The White Helmets

…And the winner is: The White Helmets

And here’s Sunny Pawar, charming all the guests as he recreates The Lion King pose with host Jimmy Kimmel. 

Sunny Pawar is adorable. He re-creates famous "Lion King" scene with @JimmyKimmelLive at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/tPO1ydwkgy

— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) February 27, 2017

Oscar for Best Editing goes to John Gilbert for Hacksaw Ridge

The nominees were: 

La La Land – Tom Cross

Hacksaw Ridge – John Gilbert

Arrival – Joe Walker

Moonlight – Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders

Hell or High Water – Jake Roberts

And the winner is: John Gilbert for Hacksaw Ridge

Jimmy Kimmel is doing such a great job this year. Hosting the Oscars is a thankless job and previous hosts have faced so much criticism. Ellen DeGeneres (2007/2017) was too sweet and Neil Patrick Harris (2015) looked like he was trying to hard. But Kimmel is keeping the Oscars moving. Some credit to Matt Damon too. Their squabble made things interesting.

“The #Oscars are about the movies and you can’t have movies without movie candy, it’s un-American.” - Jimmy #Kimmel #Oscars pic.twitter.com/YH5lMuyF1I

— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) February 27, 2017

Oscar for Best Visual Effects goes to The Jungle Book

Nominees were:

Deepwater Horizon

Doctor Strange

The Jungle Book

Kubo and the Two Strings

Rogue One: A Star Wars Stor__y

…And the winner is: The Jungle Book

Watch @JimmyKimmel and the #Oscars audience surprise a bus full of Hollywood tourists: https://t.co/Nr0U9L7wxE pic.twitter.com/zZGchKEsov

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) February 27, 2017

that awkward moment when you need to give a standing ovation but your nails are still wet pic.twitter.com/IR6p7HPTu6

— Cristina Everett (@cristinaeverett) February 27, 2017

Prediction: Filmfare Awards are going to borrow the idea of ‘common people’ coming to the show and shaking hands with the stars. Nope, it’s all scripted. 

I mean, same #oscars pic.twitter.com/wo16PxUb7h

— Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan) February 27, 2017

While we take a break from the proceedings, here’s a graphic from The Guardian that I found really interesting. It asks, “How out of touch are the Oscars?” Here’s the answer.

No caption needed!

Did Jimmy Kimmel just plagiarise a joke? Mashable thinks so: 

Jimmy Kimmel's joke sounded better when women did it first https://t.co/V1BKY0MSJx pic.twitter.com/zCtW4Ij1KC

— Mashable (@mashable) February 27, 2017

That was a fully deserved win for La La Land. Those were some gorgeous sets.

Finally, _La La Land’_s first win of the night for production design — although I expected it would win the sound mixing category for sure. 

Oscar for Production Design goes to La La Land

The nominees were:

Arrival

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Hail, Caesar! 

La La Land

Passengers

…And the winner is: La La Land

We’ll just have to assume the makers of Zootopia saw Trump coming. A film that reflects the time that America lives in.

Zootopia most definitely deserved to win! It made a political statement in 2016 way before anyone/anything else did. Was such a terrific political allegory, disguised in cute Disney garb.

Oscar for Best Animated Feature goes to Zootopia

Kubo and the Two Strings

Moana 

My Life as a Zucchini

The Red Turtle

Zootopia 

…And the winner is: Zootopia!

Watch: Pixar’s new short film ‘Piper’ is almost as good as ‘Finding Dory’http://www.firstpost.com

Oscar for Best Animated Short goes to Piper

The nominees included: 

Blind Vaysha

Borrowed Time

Pear Cider and Cigarettes

Pearl

Piper

…And the winner is: Piper

How racially skewed are the Oscars? The Economist had some interesting data to present. Read the report here .

It’s great that Hollywood can take a stand against fascism, tyranny and ridiculous government policies. I wish our award shows had the balls to do anything remotely similar.

Farhadi did not attend the Oscars himself. Here’s the statement read out on his behalf: 

Statement read on behalf of foreign language film winner Asghar Farhadi denounces "inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US" pic.twitter.com/KL5JidEhA4

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Asghar Farhadi’s win for The Salesman is the least surprising of the night. And even less surprisingly, a beautiful speech about immigration.

#Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film goes to ‘The Salesman.’ https://t.co/yOZ5X2ihdG #Oscars pic.twitter.com/kFKLvmvWUT

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

This just happened!

Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film goes to Asghar Farhadi for The Salesman

The nominees were:

Land of Mine

A Man Called Ove

The Salesman

Tanna

Toni Erdmann

…And the winner is:  Asghar Farhadi for The Salesman

Hear Viola Davis’ acceptance speech here: 

.@violadavis gives #Oscars acceptance speech: Artists "the only profession that celebrate what it means to live a life" pic.twitter.com/6saH17l0di

— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

Trivia 1: Viola Davis is the most nominated black actress in Oscars history

Trivia 2: She was also in the worst film of 2016 — Suicide Squad

Shorter acceptance speeches apparently work better! 

Huffington Post had this nice graphic about the average time for acceptance speeches. Matthew McConaughey had the longest, followed by Halle Berry. Joe Pesci has given the shortest speech ever! 

Find someone who looks at you the way #MerylStreep looks at #ViolaDavis #Oscars pic.twitter.com/u99CLQeh3F

— Mireia (@MimiLovesMeryl) February 27, 2017

Everyone watching Viola Davis' speech at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/tM6wGFNIw2

— Mashable (@mashable) February 27, 2017

Also, nice speech by Viola Davis, but to say that “artists are the only professionals who celebrate life/what it is to live” was a bit odd. I think doctors might have something to say about that!

I have to say — congratulations to Viola Davis — but Michelle Williams deserved the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for this scene alone: 

“People ask me all the time, what kind of stories do you want to tell. The stories of all those people who dreamed big, and never saw those to fruition,” says Viola Davis, as she accepts her Best Supporting Actress Oscar. 

And the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress goes to Viola Davis for Fences

Viola Davis, Fences

Naomie Harris, Moonlight

Nicole Kidman, Lion

Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures

Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

…And the winner is: Viola Davis for Fences

There seems to be a feeling that the Oscars speeches so far haven’t been as strong as they were expected to be. 

Here’s a moment of levity amid the seriousness: 

pic.twitter.com/F2TwmEdliH

— Hailee Steinfeld (@HaileeSteinfeld) February 27, 2017

Oscar for Best Sound Mixing goes to Kevin O’Connell and  Andy Wright for  Hacksaw Ridge

Arrival 

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

…And the winner is: Kevin O’Connell and Andy Wright for  Hacksaw Ridge

Oscar for Best Sound Editing goes to Sylvain Bellemare for Arrival

Arrival

Deepwater Horizon

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Sully

…And the winner is: Sylvain Bellemare for Arrival

Loving Jimmy Kimmel’s act so far. Here’s what he said after Mahershala Ali won for Midnight:

"What an amazing year for movies. Black people saved NASA & white people saved jazz! That’s what you call progress." - Jimmy #Kimmel #Oscars

— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) February 27, 2017

Priyanka Bose walked the red carpet too. But no one’s talking about her! She’s been overshadowed by her more famous namesake. 

Meanwhile, NASA’s sent out a tribute tweet to Kathrine Johnson, one of the scientists on whom Hidden Figures is based.

Moana star Auli’i Cravalho gets lots of love for her performance. ‘Future mega star’, the real inspiration for Moana.

via GIPHY

Do we need separate categories for male and female actors?

The Oscars 2016 host Chris Rock had made a bunch of sarcastic remarks — and it looks like some of them were taken seriously. Lots of Black nominations and one win already. I do wonder why ‘actors’ and ‘actress’ are still nominated in two different categories? Like Chris Rock said last year: ‘It’s not track and field’.

OJ was a sweeping documentary — and another film that doubled as social commentary on Black History in America. The political statement game is on in full swing.

Ezra Edelman was so totally deserving of his win for Best Documentary Feature. OJ: Made in America is brilliant! 

His acceptance speech struck the right notes against racism and police brutality — very apt, timely and sensitive.

The Oscar for Best Documentary Feature goes to OJ: Made In America

Fire at Sea

I Am Not Your Negro

Life Animated

OJ: Made in America

13th

…And the winner is: OJ: Made In America

Terrible film but Suicide Squad deserved that award. And a pro-immigrant acceptance speech to boot by Alessandro Bertolazzi: 

"I am an immigrant. This is for the immigrants." #Oscars winners for #SuicideSquad pic.twitter.com/pL01Pv1wQx

— Latina Magazine (@Latina) February 27, 2017

THe Make-up and Hairstyling Oscar was the saving grace for Suicide Squad!

Oscar for Best Costume Design goes to Colleen Atwood for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The nominees included:

Allied

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Florence Foster Jenkins

Jackie

La La Land

…And the winner is_: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them_

Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling goes to Suicide Squad

The nominations included:

A Man Called Ove

Star Trek Beyond

Suicide Squad

…And the winner is: Suicide Squad

Here’s a zinger from Jimmy Kimmel, after Mahershala Ali’s win: 

"What an amazing year for movies. Black people saved NASA & white people saved jazz! That’s what you call progress." - Jimmy #Kimmel #Oscars

— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) February 27, 2017

Highlights from Mahershala Ali’s acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor: 

Mahershala Ali got a standing ovation as he accepted the award for Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the film Moonlight.  

He got a bit teary eyed when he accepted the award, saying: “I want to thank all my teachers, Barry Jenkins (the director), the cast and crew of Moonlight. It has been such a wonderful experience."  

He stayed away from making any political statements, but did thank his wife, who he said was in her third trimester when he was working on Moonlight, but still supported him. “We just had a daughter four days ago,” he added, and the crowd cheered for him.

A beautiful speech by Mahershala Ali though: ‘It’s not about you… it’s about the characters’. And a huge career jump start for Ali. From chief villain in Marvel’s Luke Cage to memorable supporting role in Hidden Figures to winning an Oscar for Moonlight… all in one year.

Mahershala Ali predictably wins the Oscar for best supporting role. Personally, I would have voted for the kid in the second story of Moonlight!

Ashton Sanders (the second kid from Moonlight) was the true deserving winner. He wasn’t even nominated.

And the Oscar goes to…. pic.twitter.com/D0mo2u2Grq

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 27, 2017

Alicia Vikander has presented Best Supporting Actor trophy to Mahershala Ali for Moonlight

These were the nominees: 

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water

Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea

Dev Patel, Lion

Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals

Highlights of Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue:

​Kimmel started off his monologue with talking about the current political situation in the USA. He said, “I know you guys want me to say something, but I can do nothing to unite us."  “There is only one person in the room that can unite us, and that braveheart is going not going to help us,” he said pointing to Mel Gibson, and added, “Scientology is looking good on you."

Kimmel also said that Matt Damon has been very selfless, as the producer of Manchester By the Sea, he could have cast himself in the lead. But chose not to.  

He also had very kind words for Meryl Streep:

“One actress has stood the test of time with her many ‘average’ performances [sarcasm] — this is Meryl’s 20th Oscar nomination!” he said, to a standing ovation from the crowd. 

It looks like Matt Damon beat Jimmy Kimmel to it though! He got in this zinger, calling Kimmel ’talentless':

Kimmel’s offered a brilliant subversion of ‘Make America Great Again’, followed by a Matt Damon diatribe. ‘When I met Matt I was the fat one’.

Here are a couple more gems from Kimmel: 

“This telecast is being watched by millions of people in America..and in 225 countries around the world. Who now hate us.”

Or this: 

“I want to thank President Trump. Remember last year when the Oscars were racist?”

Can’t wait for the Matt Damon-bashing to begin !

He’s a first-time Oscar host but Jimmy Kimmel’s in fine form. His opening monologue has already given us this great line: 

“We have only one breaveheart in the room and even he can’t unite us.”

Justin Timberlake kicks off the proceedings! 

And the 89th Academy Awards have begun, with Justin Timberlake’s performance of ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ from Trolls. Quite an all-star sinag-along that turned out to be! Watch a snippet of it here: 

And so it begins! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/T1xWWn0wqB

— ABC (@ABCNetwork) February 27, 2017

Accident at the Dolby Theatre just before Oscars start

A Titantic reunion, this!

The Oscars 2017 red carpet is definitely turning out to be a family affair. If Emma Stone brought her brother Spencer, and Dev Patel had his mom as his special guest. Andrew Garfield brought his father, and Captain America star Chris Evans brought his sister. Here they are: 

Emma Stone on Best Actress Oscar nomination: ‘Inconceivable dream’

Emma Stone arrived with her brother Spencer on the red carpet, to which she was asked: “Is he your good luck charm?” Spencer promptly replied: “Yes!"

Incidentally Stone had created a Power Point presentation called ‘Project Hollywood’ to convince her parents to let her pursue an acting career. Of her Oscar nomination, she said: “This is an inconceivable dream."

Support for the ACLU on the red carpet

These Oscars were going to eb a political event — seeing the trend over the award season this year — and sure enough, there were several celebrities who sported blue ribbons on the red carpet in support of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). 

Even model Karlie Kloss, who is dating Jared Kushner’s (that’s Trump’s son-in-law) brother Josh was wearing one. 

Blue ACLU ribbons make a statement on the Oscars red carpet https://t.co/LIFSymIJfd pic.twitter.com/lELqMSJOuN

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 27, 2017

Can we also take a moment to acknowledge how fine Moonlight star Maheshala Ali looks!

Denzel Washington hasn’t aged in 20 years! He’s the Black Wolverine. 

Denzel Washington talks about Fences

“If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage,” was what director and actor Denzel Washington had to say bringing Fences to the silver screen from Broadway.  He also had a huge vote of support for his co-star Viola Davis, who has a Best Actress nomination. “This is her time.” he said.

Order in which the Academy Awards will be announced

If you were wondering which category would be announced when — here’s a complete schedule: 

The official order of presentation of the 2017 Oscars. Supporting Actor first, then Costume Design. Screenplays at the end. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/yfDA0L3Tfl

— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) February 26, 2017

A fascinating statement has been issued by the five filmmakers nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category. They’ve strongly condemned the culture of ‘fanaticism and nationalism we see in the US’. 

The filmmakers are: 

1. Martin Pieter Zandvliet (Land of Mine)

2. Asghar Farhadi (The Salesman)

3. Maren Ade (Toni Erdmann)

4. Hannes Holm (A Man called Ove)

5. Martin Butler and Bentley Dean (Tanna)

Here’s the full text of statement they’ve issued:

Meryl Streep arrives

Meryl Streep makes a regal entry at Oscars 2017. And all eyes (and ears) are going to be trained on Streep — who has a Best Actress in a Lead Role nomination for Florence Foster Jenkins — to see if any rousing anti-Donald Trump speeches will be made. 

Meryl Streep is here at #Oscars2017 #Oscars2017 #Oscars #OscarRedCarpet #RjAlok pic.twitter.com/nOvAU2wx9x

— RJ ALOK (@OYERJALOK) February 27, 2017

Casey Affleck sexual assault allegations in the spotlight

The controversy reared its head again, when Casey walked the red carpet. Read an analysis of it here on Firstpost.

Here’s what one Twitter user had to say: 

This woman just fawned all over Casey Affleck and how he is her favorite. Guess the assaults were ok to her? pic.twitter.com/M5d0cFG6eu

— Jennifer Gunter (@DrJenGunter) February 27, 2017

Casey Affleck talks Manchester By The Sea

Casey Affleck credited the success of Manchester by the Sea to writer/director  Kenneth Lonergan. For him, Lonergan was the driving force behind his performance that earned him an Oscar nomination. 

As for the answer to that all-important question about when he’s shaving off the beard, Casey said he is sporting it to get into character for his next role (which is under wraps), and will be keeping it for a few more weeks.

A reporter just asked Best Actor in a Lead Role nominee Casey Affleck when he’s going to shave his shaggy beard so she can see his “movie star jaw”. He stuttered through his response. #AskHimMore perhaps?

How sweet is it that Dev Patel’s brought his mom as his Oscars night date? 

Emma Watson, Scarlett Johansson and Viola Davis on the red carpet

Yeah, the detailed structuring on Priyanka’s gown is definitely lovely.

Priyanka has chosen the same colour, but it’s still a different look. The structural look works great on her. Love that bodice.

Is it just me, or does Priyanka Chopra’s look seem a little too similar to last year’s Zuhair Murad gown? 

Emma Stone shines in gold

Best Actress in a Lead Role nominee Emma Stone walked the red carpet in a shimmering gold gown that could just be the perfect complement for her golden statuette (if she does get to take it home). Here she is:

I want you to see how Emma Stone's dress moves #Oscars pic.twitter.com/FCMuClj6yw

— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) February 27, 2017

I call this the Sathya Sai Baba look!

And she’s here! Priyanka Chopra — also on-trend in a structured white gown and slicked back hair — has walked the red carpet. 

And its happening! Looking gorgeous in that pearly white dress! @priyankachopra #PCatOscars #Oscars 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/3lLAP4nbtm

— Team Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@TeamPriyanka) February 27, 2017

Trend-spotting: White is the colour du jour on the Oscars red carpet

White seems to be the colour of choice for several celebrities. We’ve already seen Isabelle Ruppert, Trudie  Styler and Chrissy Teigen  opt for ivory. I’m sure we’re going to see much more of this.

Janelle Monae has been making waves with every red carpet appearance this awards season, and she’s gone all-out for the Oscars in this flouncy, ethereal number. She looks like a modern-day African princess.

A moment between the Hidden Figures stars Taraji P Henson and Janelle Monae: 

Running into your BFF when you're both looking flawless like: #Oscars pic.twitter.com/HYST8LFIga

— People (@people) February 27, 2017

I think Octavia’s lilac look works pretty well too. Here she is: 

I loved the looks of both the Hidden Figures stars who’ve walked the red carpet so far — Octavia Spencer and Taraji P Henson. Henson, especially, is crushing it in velvet. 

An #Oscars red carpet moment with @TherealTaraji pic.twitter.com/dSNhPsK1SE

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 26, 2017

Nina Garcia just said she’s “loving” Ruth Negga’s red Valentino gown. Wonder how many others are going to use the “Loving” pun/reference when talking about Negga!

The last time I saw the Oscars ceremony I was still in my twenties… Obama was still the president, brown people weren’t shot on sight and the Oscars weren’t a consortium of the Left planning a giant attack on the POTUS.

Another noteworthy look: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are giving us #relationshipgoals.

A queen and a Legend, @chrissyteigen and @johnlegend #Oscars pic.twitter.com/iA8bKg5IV3

— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) February 27, 2017

Yeah, love Sunny’s look! The lace-ups, that swag! He’s getting a lot of attention on the red carpet.

Sunny Pawar is looking adorable. Love the confidence, the smile. Some sharp dressing by the little one. 

Loving star and Best Actress in a Lead Role nominee Ruth Negga on the red carpet

Negga complemented her custom Valentino gown with Irene Neuwirth jewels. What do you think of her look?

more photos of Ruth on the red carpet #Oscars pic.twitter.com/CaLGr9S08y

— DAILY RUTH NEGGA (@dailyruthnegga) February 26, 2017

Patel’s co-star Sunny Pawar has also made his appearance — in trainers and a tux no less!

#Oscars-- The adorable actor who has won huge applause is here! Meet the star of #Lion - Sunny Pawar

LIVE: https://t.co/eYULkeklvi pic.twitter.com/3YADObwvtm

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 26, 2017

Lion Star Dev Patel walks the red carpet.

#Oscars nominee Dev Patel has hit the red carpet https://t.co/CE9NWs6paT pic.twitter.com/1RkGIn7t3C

— Variety (@Variety) February 27, 2017

The stars begin to arrive

The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles is the scene of what promises to be a very exciting 89th Academy Awards, or the Oscars 2017. The first stars are just beginning to arrive on the red carpet; and Hacksaw Ridge star Andrew Garfield is among the first to walk by. “It’s an unbelievable story,” Garfield said, when asked about why he signed up for the role that has earned him a Best Actor in a Lead Role nomination.