DEAF actor Troy Kotsur brought audiences to tears during his touching acceptance speech for best supporting actor.
The CODA star is the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award for acting, and his victory brought the house down as many ceremony guests gave him a standing ovation with the sign for applause.
“This is dedicated to the Deaf community, the CODA community and the disabled community,” Kotsur signed in the speech. “This is our moment.”
The feature film went on to win Best Picture, the biggest award of the night.
The 94th Academy Awards featured a moment of silence for the suffering people of Ukraine on the 34th day of the Russian invasion.
The biggest night in Hollywood is live now with hosts Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes, and Amy Schumer.
The night came to an unsettling tension a few hours in, as Will Smith stormed the Oscar stage and punched Chris Rock, who made a poorly-received joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss as he presented.
Beyoncé kicked off the night with a live performance of her song Be Alive, which has been nominated for Best Original Song for its feature in the movie King Richard.
DJ Khalid jokingly interrupted the hosts as the trio joked about being a woman in Hollywood and roasted ceremony guests like Samuel L. Jackson, Jane Campion, and Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune has won multiple awards already, while Ariana DeBose took home the award for Best Supporting Actress in a historic victory as the first openly queer woman of color to win that award.
The night kicked off with stars like Vanessa Hudgens and Lily James walking the red carpet as anticipation built for the ceremony.
Kourtney Kardashian shared a behind-the-scenes look at her preparation for the Oscars, where her fiance Travis Barker will be performing.
The couple showed major PDA on the red carpet while Kourtney, 42, wore a tight black dress and the Blink-182 drummer kept it cool in an all-black suit.
Read our Oscars 2022 live blog for the latest news and updates…
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Hostless Oscars
Between 2019 and 2021, the Oscars did not have a celebrity host.
The last occasion the ceremony had a host was for the 2018 edition of the awards show.
For the 2021 Academy Awards, the broadcast was scaled back amid Coronavirus guidelines.
Void of a host, the telecast was designed to replicate a movie set, rather than consist of a regular audience.
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Best Picture winner: CODA
CODA tells the story of Ruby, who’s the only hearing person in her family.
She is a CODA, or child of deaf adults, who wants to follow her passion — singing. But her family needs some convincing first.
The movie stars Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, and Daniel Durant.
CODA is an Apple TV+ movie and is available for viewing with a subscription.
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And the winner is…
CODA is the 2022 winner of the Best Picture Academy Award.
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Musical icons
Liza Minelli and Lady Gaga took to the stage to present the final award of the evening.
“You know how I love working with legends,” Gaga said of Minelli, who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cabaret.
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Speaking up
During her acceptance speech, Jessica Chastain spoke up about LGBTQIA+ issues, mental health issues, and the importance of accepting other people.
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Actress in a Leading Role
Jessica Chastain has won Best Lead Actress for her performance as Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
In her acceptance speech, Chastain recognized and thanked her fellow nominees.
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Emotional speech
In Will Smith’s acceptance speech for the Academy Award for Best Actor, he wept as he talked about how playing Richard taught him how to be protective over people who he cares about.
“I want to be a vessel of that love and care and concern,” he cried before apologizing to the Academy and to his fellow nominees for acting out earlier.
“Love will make you do crazy things.”
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Actor in a Leading Role
Will Smith has won his first Oscar for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard.
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Jane CHAMPION
Jane Campion won the Oscar for Best Director as the director of The Power of The Dog.
Campion is the first woman to be nominated for this award twice.
“The sweet thing is I’m not alone,” Campion said in her acceptance speech before naming her cast and crew in the critically-acclaimed movie.
“Thank you Academy, it’s a lifetime honor.”
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Best Original Song
Zoe Kravitz and Jake Gyllenhaal announced that the Oscar for Best Original Song goes to Billie Eilish and Finneas for No Time To Die.
This is the third original song featured in a James Bond movie to win an Oscar.
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Diddy weighs in
Following the awkward confrontation, Diddy took the stage.
“Will and Chris, we’re gonna solve that like family,” the rapper said.
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Will Smith vs. Chris Rock
Chris Rock joked on stage that “Jada looked like GI Jane 2.”
Will Smith approached the stage in what appeared to be an off script interaction where Will seemed to be defending his wife’s honor with a slap or a punch.
The sound cut out due to major profanity, and the audience went silent afterward.
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Production Design
The Oscar for Best Production Design has gone to Dune.
Dune has won six of the 11 categories it’s been nominated for tonight.
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Best adapted screenplay
Siân Heder’s script for CODA won the Oscar for the Best Adapted Screenplay.
Heder adapted the script from a 2014 French film. This is her first Oscar.
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Best original screenplay
Kenneth Branagh won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his semi-autobiographical film Belfast.
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Ukraine tribute
Mila Kunis, who was born in Ukraine, took to the stage to introduce Reba McEntire, who was set to sing a song of hope.
“Recent global events have left many of us feeling gutted,” Mila said.
“Yet, when you witness the strength and dignity of those facing such devastation, it’s impossible to not be moved by their resilience.
“One cannot help but be in awe of those who find the strength to keep fighting through unimaginable darkness.
After the performance, the crowd was led in a moment of silence.
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We Don’t Talk About Bruno
Megan Thee Stallion performed a rap in the middle of a performance of We Don’t Talk About Bruno.
The performance also featured Becky G and Luis Fonsi.
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Best Costume Design
Designer Jenny Beavan won the Oscar for her costume design in Cruella. This is Beavan’s third Academy Award.
“This is honoring my inner Cruella,” she said, explaining her outfit.
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Best International Feature Film
Japan’s Drive My Car won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
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Silent standing ovation
As Troy left the stage, ceremony guests stood and gave him an ovation by doing the sign for applause.
Many were seen getting emotional after his touching speech, including presenter Youn Yuh-jung.
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Best supporting actor
Youn Yuh-jung announced that the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor has gone to Troy Kotsur for his role in CODA.
This is Troy’s first nomination and Oscar. He is the second deaf actor to ever win and the first in this category.
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Encanto won
Encanto wins Best Animated Feature Film.
Though he couldn’t make it to the ceremony, the team thanked Lin Manuel Miranda before thanking the entire country of Colombia.
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Princess parade
Lily James, Naomi Scott, and Halle Bailey presented the nominees for the best feature film.
All three women have or will play princesses in live-action films — Lily as Cinderella, Naomi as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, and Halle as Ariel in the upcoming adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
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Encanto performance
Sebastián Yatra performed Dos Oruguitas from Encanto, which is up for Best Original Song.
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Rachel Zegler jokes
Following the Academy’s embarrassing U-Turn after initially not inviting rising star Rachel Zegler, she joked about it on stage while presenting with Jacob Elordi.
“I never thought that I would stand on this stage,” Elordi said.
“And I never thought that I would be here six days ago,” Rachel followed, prompting a laugh from the audience.
