If you’re like any stand- up, pop culture-obsessed citizen you were glued to your T.V. screen for at least seven hours yesterday. You had your predictions made and your friends gathered around as the red carpet rolled out and your favorite celebrities arrived. The 2016 Academy Awards were not to be missed, but if for some reason you just couldn’t put life on hold all night, we’ve wrapped up the best moments for you.
1. Every time Jacob Tremblay got screen time.
The pint-sized co-star to Brie Larson has stolen everyone’s hearts this award season and especially last night. Whether it was him getting interviewed on the red carpet and sharing with us that he was going to the after parties despite his 8 p.m. bed time or his high-five with Larson after she won, he made us all wish he was our little brother.
2. Chris Rock’s Monologue
Rock definitely took the bull by the horns with his one, but we liked it. He was blunt, honest and funny all at the same time. If there was ever a year for him to host the Oscars, this was it. His honesty about the #OscarsSoWhite was admirable and garnered plenty of laughs from the crowd, though we’re sure that Jada Pinkett Smith did not appreciate getting called out.
3. Girl Scout Cookies
When Rock said he was missing a very important part of his kids’ lives, no one really expected him to mean Girl Scout cookie season, but we’re so glad he did. On a mission to outsell the reigning cookie queen of his daughters’ troop, Rock brought out a Los Angeles area troop to sell cookies to our favorite glitzed out celebs. Julianne Moore, Cristian Bale and Henry Cavill were just a few of the celebs who helped raise over $65,000.
4. Inside Out won Best Animated Feature
Inside Out became the eighth Pixar film to win this category and it was no surprise. Director Pete Docter said the film came about from watching his kids grew up. He told the audience and anyone in junior high that there are going to be days when you’re sad and angry and scared but to push on through it all. Cue all the emotions. [Especially because we all know those days of being sad and scared carry on through college, too.]
5. Saoirse Ronan slayed the red carpet
The 21-year-old Brooklyn actress shined bright in a custom-made sequin and emerald green dress from Calvin Klein. She said the green was representative of her home country, Ireland. Her dress was perfect, her make-up was perfect and her accent was perfect. She’s the new girl crush on the block.
6. Brie Larson won Best Actress
The leading lady of Room won big last night. An obvious front runner who stayed incredibly humble didn’t forget to thank our favorite little guy, Jacob Tremblay. Most of us remember Larson from Hoot, but it’s very clear that she has moved on to bigger and better things. And so have we, hopefully.
7. Lady Gaga wows with her performance of “Til It Happens to You.”
Despite the song not winning Lady Gaga an Oscar [the award went to Sam Smith for “Writing’s on the Wall”], the performance was moving. A victim of sexual assault herself, Gaga brought college-aged survivors of sexual assault on stage with her. Their grim facial expressions but strong stances brought the crowd to tears as they joined hands and raised them together. The song is from The Hunting Grounds, a documentary focusing on the recent increase of sexual assault on college campuses.
8. Leo got his Oscar
After a meme-crazed week mocking Leonardo Dicaprio’s Oscar-less career, he finally won. Despite The Revenant being beat for Best Picture by Spotlight, Leo snagged the golden statue that’s been a long time coming. There was speculation for weeks leading up to the award show that he would win, but fans held their breath until he walked up on stage and gave his acceptance speech. Advocating for climate change policies and thanking his family and friends [looking at you, Kate Winslet] he gave a perfect speech that no one dared to cut off with music.
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