LOS ANGELES (AP) — The purple carpet is open forward of the 97th Academy Awards, that are set to kick off on the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. Jap/4 p.m. Pacific. “Emilia Pérez” leads the pack with 13 Oscar nominations, however “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” are shut behind.
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Brandi Carlile talks about working and writing with Elton John
Brandi Carlile is a first-time Oscar nominee, having written “Never Too Late” with Elton John. The massive-hearted anthem, which serves as a title observe for the documentary about his life, is up for greatest unique track.
“He didn’t ask, I sort of solicited myself,” she joked to the AP on the purple carpet about their collaboration.
“I watched the documentary, and I was really taken aback by the fact that I felt that it was going to sort of force Elton to sit and self-reflect in a really important way, that he doesn’t normally do, you know? I wanted to take in those good things about himself, all those wonderful things about himself. And I wanted to write a lyric that did what I felt the documentary did, which was for him to look in a mirror and say, ‘You know, you’re an iron man, baby.’”
EGOT Watch: Cynthia Erivo
She’s not anticipated to win greatest actress for “Wicked,” but when there’s an upset, Cynthia Erivo may grow to be the twenty second individual to enter the EGOT membership tonight.
Her Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards all stemmed from her position within the Broadway musical of “The Color Purple.” It’s her third Oscar nomination since.
Erivo can be acting on the present and she or he’s internet hosting the Tonys in June.
The songwriting duo of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul grew to become the latest EGOT winners once they received an Emmy final 12 months. Elton John, already an EGOT, can be nominated in the most effective track class.
Style statements carry a political message
As stars arrived on the purple carpet, some added messaging to their ensembles. Swedish singer and actor Kayo Shekoni lifted up her black heel to disclose the phrases “free Congo” on the purple carpet, advocating for the conflict-ridden African nation.
“Conclave” author Peter Straughan confirmed his help for Ukraine with a Ukrainian flag pin accent on his tuxedo.
“Just to say, let’s not turn our backs on Ukraine,” he instructed Selection’s Marc Malkin.
The pin caries additional significance after a tense assembly unfolded between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the White Home with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance Friday.
The crew behind greatest documentary nominee “Porcelain War,” the story of Ukrainian artists who commerce their paintbrushes for weapons to struggle in opposition to the Russian invasion, additionally sported Ukrainian flag pins.
Jeff Goldblum blooms on purple carpet
Actor Jeff Goldblum added a floral association to his off-white tuxedo jacket lapel, in a play off his final identify.
Orchids adorned the “Wicked” star’s Prada look that he paired with a colourful floral button up and a black bow tie. His signature glasses had been tinted inexperienced. Goldblum beforehand walked for the Prada runway in 2022.
Mission: Attainable for June Squibb
June Squibb had no time to spare. She made a grand entrance to the purple carpet in sequined florals, being pushed with function in a wheelchair.
“There’s June!” somebody stated, making an attempt to get her consideration, however she was already too far-off.
“Oh well, she’s on a mission,” one other shrugged.
Identical to “Thelma.”
Meet the creator of ‘Johanne Sacreblu,’ Mexico’s joyous revenge in opposition to ‘Emilia Pérez’
“Emilia Pérez” isn’t precisely well-liked in Mexico, the place it’s been met largely with indifference or negativity. As a substitute, Mexico has rallied round “Johanne Sacreblu,” a protest parody from trans filmmaker Camila D. Aurora.
The quick movie has amassed greater than 3 million YouTube views, and was even proven in cinemas with a purple carpet occasion.
Aurora was interested by “Emilia Perez,” however for the reason that movie didn’t premiere till very late within the awards season in Mexico, she needed to watch it (first) utilizing a pirated hyperlink. She didn’t prefer it in any respect, discovering its trans and Mexican illustration derogatory and problematic.
So she took to TikTok with a pitch: The trans heirs of two millionaire French feuding households, Johanne Sacreblu and Agtugo Ratatouille (carried out by Aurora and the Yeylán Torres, respectively), fall in love in the course of their battle to resolve if the croissant or the baguette is the final word French bread.
Her followers urged she fundraise. Aurora collected round $1,700 (35,000 Mexican pesos). She composed and recorded the songs for the 28-minute musical, which premiered the identical weekend as “Emilia Perez” did in Mexico. It notched 1 million viewers in simply three days.
“We were the ant that faced the giant, it’s very incredible,” Aurora instructed The Related Press. “I was doing activism, and my activism began the moment I gathered 50 people using only TikTok videos who came together to work two, three days, many hours, just for the pleasure of laughing about this film that a few days ago only made them angry.”
The movie has collected double its unique price range. She’s donated a part of the income to 2 organizations, the feminist group Las Hijas de Mayahuel, which advocates for dignified menstrual well being and gives medical care in addition to the Grupo Nacional de Búsqueda, a collective of organizations of kinfolk of disappeared individuals in Mexico.
And, quickly, count on a component two.
BEHIND THE LENS: What it’s like on the loud, loud purple carpet
AP photographer Chris Pizzello is a veteran of awards exhibits — and their purple carpets. Right here’s how he will get the shot amid fierce competitors:
I’m a naturally quiet individual, so I’ve by no means been a yeller. Even after I do yell, everybody complains that they will’t hear me! So I attempt to focus on capturing what purple carpet photographers name “moments.” A wave. A wink. A spontaneous burst of laughter. Or possibly a glance again over the shoulder because the celeb is strolling away. It’s only a matter of at all times paying attention. I additionally often wish to give attention to fascinating particulars, like footwear or necklaces.
“Like A Bird” from “Sing Sing” mints two first-time Oscar nominees
Abraham Alexander and Black Pumas’ Adrian Quesada, who composed “Like A Bird” for “Sing Sing,” are up for greatest unique track this 12 months. It marks their first ever Academy Award nominations. However as a result of the nominees in that class received’t carry out in 2025, they received’t hit the stage with the likes of 16-nominee Diane Warren or Elton John.
“We would love to share the stage with Elton John and so forth. But what’s a performance if it’s not for people to share? What’s a song if ears can’t hear it?” Alexander stated on the purple carpet. “We heard they wanted to honor people that were affected by the fires and we were here while it was happening. So, we’re about people. And whichever way we can elevate people’s humanity and human experience, we’re all about.”
Elsewhere in Los Angeles: Timothée Chalamet’s look-alikes vie for a look-alike Oscar
Two of Timothée Chalamet’s lookalikes — sure, these lookalikes — spent the weekend in Los Angeles filming an commercial for New York hairdresser Sergio Slavnov’s Avenue Man hair care model.
Miles Mitchell and Zander Dueve positioned first and second within the October contest hosted by YouTuber Anthony Po. Flown out from New York and Atlanta by Slavnov to work on the marketing campaign, Mitchell and Dueve spent a part of Friday on Rodeo Drive filming the marketing campaign.
“It’s just the gift that keeps on giving, and it just keeps proving to be that,” Dueve stated, dressed as Chalamet’s “Dune” character Paul Atreides. “Every now and again, I’m like, okay, five minutes up and then I’m like, oh, okay — there’s another thing, and then another thing, and then Miles and I are coming here.”
Mitchell reprised the thrifted “Wonka” costume that received him the competition. In his briefcase this time? Hair merchandise — and a 3D-printed Oscar statuette.
Clarence Maclin’s joyful Oscar debut
“Sing Sing” star and co-writer Clarence Maclin was joyful on the purple carpet at his first Oscars.
“It feels amazing,” he stated. “The honor of being with people I’ve been watching my whole life? I don’t feel like I’m in competition; I feel like I’m with the best in class.”
Maclin nonetheless has one individual on his want checklist to satisfy: Denzel Washington.
Bowen Yang bounds down the purple carpet
Bowen Yang was among the many earlier celebrities to reach. Excited and dancing his manner by way of the carpet, he blew kisses to followers. His “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater was shut behind, maybe much less excited for the highlight: “No thanks,” he stated to a passing photographer seeking to take a snap. Followers requested him who he would textual content first if “Wicked” received: “My sister,” he stated.
The best way to get a spot within the Oscars bleachers
Most of the screaming followers within the bleachers entered contests by way of native TV and radio stations to get the coveted spot on the purple carpet. Some are even second or third timers.
“Wicked” appears to be the favourite of the bunch, so count on the decibel ranges to rise when Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo arrive.
“We’re going to lose but we love them so much,” stated one lady.
The purple carpet is underway
The awards ceremony remains to be a couple of hours away, however that’s not deterring the celebs from making an early entrance. The Related Press’ official reside style protection from the purple carpet has formally kicked off, and you’ll catch all of the glitz and glamour right here.
Watching on a TV? E!’s “Live from E! The Oscars” purple carpet protection will begin at 1 p.m. Pacific and 4 p.m. Jap ABC’s official purple carpet pre-show, hosted by Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer, will start at 3:30 p.m. Pacific and 6:30 p.m. Jap.
Then, at 4 p.m. Pacific and seven p.m. Jap, the Oscars will likely be streamed reside on Hulu. You can even watch through Hulu Dwell TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV. With authentication out of your supplier, you possibly can watch on ABC.com and the ABC app.
A ‘Color Purple’ reunion
Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg are set to reunite on the Oscars stage — although what they’ll be doing there may be below wraps till the reside broadcast.
Each appeared in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation of “The Color Purple,” which earned them Oscar nominations — Winfrey for supporting and Goldberg for lead. They rehearsed collectively on the Dolby Theatre on Saturday morning for his or her top-secret presentation.
The 2 co-stars in reconnected lately, clearing the air a few “feud” that they realized by no means existed however had stored them aside for many years.
This awards season’s style MVPs
The checklist of celebrities bringing it on current purple carpets is rising, somewhat over a month after the devastating Los Angeles fires subdued carpet dressing for a time. As town strikes into rebuild mode, stars will probably up their style video games for the most important awards evening of the season: The Oscars.
Cynthia Erivo: Erivo has at all times taken style dangers, ditching her Elphaba black for final week’s Display Actors Guild awards, choosing a silver Givenchy look with a excessive shaggy collar worthy of her dangerous witch position.
Jeremy Sturdy: He wore a mint inexperienced swimsuit with a bucket hat in the identical colour to the Golden Globes. His white turtleneck topped all of it off.
Danielle Deadwyler: Deadwyler didn’t play it protected in a shiny purple strapless 3D structured tiered robe from Louis Vuitton on the SAGs.
Timothée Chalamet: On the SAGs, he married a shiny brat inexperienced button-up shirt from Chrome Hearts with a shiny black leather-based swimsuit and a bolo tie as he continues to channel Bob Dylan.
Ariana Grande: Like Margot Robbie’s Barbie pink, Grande has been largely sticking to a far paler hue, her signature and an homage to her “Wicked” good witch.
Mikey Madison: New style darling went Hollywood bombshell on the SAGs with a strapless silver Louis Vuitton look with a big pleated bow on the waist. She’s been working with stylist Jamie Mizrahi, who has dressed Adele and Jennifer Lawrence, amongst many different celebs.
BEHIND THE LENS: A photographer’s view on one bizarre awards season
AP photographer Chris Pizzello has been capturing the Oscars for greater than a decade. Right here’s his tackle what makes this awards season totally different:
That is the least predictable awards season in reminiscence. Normally, I’m about 95% appropriate in coaching my lens on the eventual winner of a class within the viewers, however this 12 months I’d say I’m extra 75%.
Mikey Madison appeared to have the late awards season momentum with wins at BAFTA and the Unbiased Spirit Awards, however then Demi Moore struck again on the SAGs. Adrien Brody was profitable all the pieces, however then Timothée Chalamet lastly took one final Sunday. This 12 months’s Oscars appear wide-open in greatest actor, greatest actress and greatest image (though I’d slender that one all the way down to both “Anora” or “Conclave”).
The one completely positive factor within the main classes, in my opinion, is Kieran Culkin for greatest supporting. He’s run the desk this 12 months.
What’s the cope with ‘Emilia Pérez’?
Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” a narco-musical a few Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirming surgical procedure, is available in with a number one 13 nominations. The movie, at one level, appeared like Netflix’s greatest likelihood but to land the streamer its first greatest image win. Its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, made historical past by turning into the primary overtly trans actor nominated for an Oscar.
However no nominee has had a rockier post-nominations Oscar marketing campaign. After previous offensive tweets by Gascón had been uncovered, the actress issued an apology. The fallout, although, has badly broken a film that was already a divisive contender, and led Netflix to radically refocus its flagging marketing campaign.
All issues thought of, although, the movie did nicely at France’s Césars — its dwelling nation’s Oscars equal — on Friday.
Brazil’s Fernanda Torres is that this 12 months’s Carnival muse
Brazil’s Carnival muse this 12 months isn’t one of many divas or drum queens parading with the Rio de Janeiro samba colleges. It’s Fernanda Torres, who’s competing for the most effective actress Oscar.
The Oscars fall smack in the course of Carnival, Brazil’s largest celebration, which runs by way of Tuesday. Throughout the five-day revelry, the remainder of the universe normally fades into the background as Brazilians reduce free and indulge.
Not this 12 months — and the eager give attention to the Oscars speaks to Brazil’s delight for its tradition and want to be acknowledged on the worldwide stage.
Torres is nominated for her efficiency because the lead within the Walter Salles-directed “I’m Still Here,” which can be nominated for greatest image and greatest worldwide function. Pleasure across the awards has prompted TV Globo, Brazil’s largest community, to renew reside protection of the ceremony after a five-year hiatus. It should forgo the nationwide airing of high-ratings Carnival parades, as a substitute broadcasting the Oscars in every single place besides Rio.
▶ Learn extra about why Brazil cares in regards to the Oscars this 12 months
Who’s internet hosting the Oscars?
Conan O’Brien is internet hosting the Academy Awards for the primary time.
“I never have been invited to the Oscars,” the late-night host-turned-podcaster and occasional film star stated at a information convention Wednesday. “I only hosted so that I could be invited.”
O’Brien stated he wouldn’t hesitate to speak in regards to the nation’s fraught political scenario.
“I cannot ignore the moment we’re in,” he stated. “But I also have to remember it’s threading a needle. I also have to remember what we’re here to celebrate and infuse the show with positivity.”
He stated in comparison with all the opposite issues he’s achieved, internet hosting the Oscars is like “for the primary time attending to drive a Ferrari.
“I’d like to keep the tuxedo,” he stated. “They made me an absolutely beautiful tuxedo. It’s the nicest thing I’ve ever put on in my life.”
