The highly anticipated 98th Academy Awards have officially commenced, bringing a wave of glamour and excitement as Hollywood's elite grace the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This year's ceremony, hosted once again by Conan O'Brien, promises an evening filled with stunning fashion displays and nail-biting award competitions that will captivate audiences throughout the three-hour-plus broadcast.
Red Carpet Fashion Takes Center Stage
From the moment the event began, celebrities like Misty Copeland and Alicia Silverstone showcased their impeccable style, dressed to impress in elaborate ensembles. Other notable appearances included Chase Infiniti, Felicity Jones, Barbie Ferreira, Marsai Martin, Joel Edgerton, and Kumail Nanjiani, all contributing to the visual spectacle that sets the tone for the night's festivities.
Intense Competition for Top Awards
The awards ceremony features fierce battles in key categories, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. In the Best Actor race, mega-stars such as Michael B. Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and Timothée Chalamet are all vying for the coveted trophy. Meanwhile, the Best Picture award has sparked much debate, with frontrunners including "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another." The Best Director category is equally competitive, with Chloé Zhao nominated for "Hamnet" and Josh Safdie for "Marty Supreme."
Record-Breaking Nominations and Contenders
Leading the nominations is Ryan Coogler's vampire film "Sinners," which has made history with 16 nods, setting a new record for the most nominations in Academy Award history. Close behind is Paul Thomas Anderson's action-thriller "One Battle After Another," with 13 nominations. The full list of Best Picture contenders also includes "Frankenstein," "Hamnet," "Marty Supreme," "Train Dreams," "F1," "Bugonia," "Sentimental Value," and "The Secret Agent," showcasing a diverse range of cinematic achievements.
Live Performances and Presenters
The ceremony will feature live performances of two songs nominated for Best Original Song: "Golden" from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters, performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, and "I Lied to You" from the vampire horror Sinners, delivered by breakout star Miles Caton and songwriter Raphael Saadiq alongside artists Brittany Howard, Shaboozey, Buddy Guy, Eric Gales, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Bobby Rush, and Alice Smith. A star-studded lineup of presenters, including Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Demi Moore, Zoe Saldaña, Robert Downey Jr., Nicole Kidman, Jimmy Kimmel, Delroy Lindo, Pedro Pascal, and Sigourney Weaver, will add to the evening's prestige.
Broadcast Details and Ongoing Coverage
The Oscars are airing live on ABC and streaming on Hulu and Hulu+ Live TV, starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. As the night unfolds, more red carpet looks and award results will be revealed, ensuring a memorable event for film enthusiasts worldwide.
