The Oscars brought more than just glamorous red carpet moments this year.
As the world tuned in, some of the most unexpected political statements and celebrity moments made headlines.
Actress Daryl Hannah, known for her iconic role in Kill Bill, made waves at the Academy Awards on Sunday night.
She used her time as a presenter to express support for Ukraine, a move that was met with cheers from the A-list audience.
She opened her segment by saying “Slava Ukraini,” which translates to “Glory to Ukraine,” a tribute that came just days after an intense Oval Office showdown between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former President Donald Trump.
Trump and Zelensky’s Fiery Meeting
The tension between Trump and Zelensky reached a boiling point during their recent meeting at the White House.
The two leaders had a heated exchange over the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Trump threatening to cut U.S. support unless Zelensky agreed to his peace terms.
Things got so intense that Trump even accused Zelensky of being ungrateful, while Zelensky pushed back, showing Trump pictures of the devastation in Ukraine.
The confrontation was a rare and public spectacle, with Trump warning Zelensky, “You’re gambling with World War III.”
After their argument, Trump made it clear on Truth Social that he no longer wanted to work with Zelensky until the Ukrainian president was ready to pursue peace.
The White House followed up by escorting Zelensky out, signaling the end of his visit.
It was an awkward and unprecedented moment in recent political history, one that left both the future of Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S. and Zelensky’s standing in the balance.
Oscars Night: A Mix of Glamour and Drama
Back at the Oscars, the ceremony was full of surprises and drama, with several standout films vying for top honors.
The awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, saw a tight race in many categories.
Emilia Pérez led the nominations with 13, including for Best Picture, Best Actress (Karla Sofía Gascón), and Best Director (Jacques Audiard).
Her film Emilia Pérez tells the story of a former Mexican drug lord who fakes her death to reinvent herself.
Other notable contenders included The Brutalist, which racked up 10 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Adrien Brody.
Wicked, the highly anticipated musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz, also garnered 10 nominations, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both receiving nods for their performances.
The Acting Categories: No Clear Frontrunner
The Best Actor race was thrown into turmoil after Timothée Chalamet won big at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Before that, Adrien Brody had seemed like the favorite.
The competition in Best Actress was equally fierce, with Demi Moore’s critically acclaimed performance in The Substance putting her in a strong position to claim the prize.
However, some critics pointed out the controversy surrounding the nomination of Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly transgender woman nominated for Best Actress.
Her past tweets caused a stir, and while she issued apologies, the backlash could affect her chances.
In the Best Supporting Actress category, Zoe Saldaña emerged as the front-runner after a successful awards season, though some of her early wins were before Gascón’s controversy came to light.
The Best Supporting Actor race seemed more predictable, with Kieran Culkin leading the pack for his performance in A Real Pain.
Behind the Scenes at the Oscars
Despite the political drama and intense competition, the 97th Academy Awards were also a night of celebration for many filmmakers and performers.
With new faces like Conan O’Brien hosting and multiple surprises in the major categories, the ceremony provided plenty of water-cooler moments for fans and critics alike.
As the night drew to a close, the winners were announced, and the spotlight turned to films like Anora, The Brutalist, and Wicked, all of which took home major awards.
The awards were also streamed live on ABC and Hulu for the first time, bringing the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to a wider audience.
Oscars 2025 Winners: Who Took Home the Gold?
Here’s a look at the major winners from the 2025 Academy Awards:
- Best Picture: Anora
- Best Director: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez
- Best Actress: Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez
- Best Actor: Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain
- Best Supporting Actress: Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown
- Best Supporting Actor: Yura Borisov for Anora
As the Oscars wrapped up, the event highlighted not just the glitz of Hollywood but also the lingering tensions and controversies that have spilled into the cultural conversation.
With political drama and industry rivalries playing a significant role this year, the 2025 Oscars proved to be a memorable night for more than just the winners.