2025 Oscars Highlights That Shook the Night

Oscars 2025 Unfolds

No event in Hollywood shines quite like the Oscars, the fashion, the speeches, and those surprise reunions. It’s the grand finale of award season, always delivering a mix of glamour and unforgettable moments.

This year was no exception, serving up everything from stunning highs to cringe-worthy lows. We’ve gathered the most talked-about moments from the 2025 ceremony, so let’s get into it.

A Spellbinding Start

It felt like the Wizard of Oz himself waved a wand over the Dolby Theatre. Ariana Grande kicked things off in a dazzling ruby-red dress, delivering a breathtaking  Somewhere Over the Rainbow before Cynthia Erivo took over with a powerful Home.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the Wicked duo reunited for the grand finale. As Ariana stepped aside, Cynthia soared—literally and vocally—on the final notes of Defying Gravity, setting the bar sky-high for the night.

Oscars in a Hoodie?

Adam Sandler understood the assignment, sort of. While everyone else dressed to impress, he rolled up in classic Sandler fashion: basketball shorts and a hoodie.

Conan O’Brien couldn’t resist, roasting him with, “You’re dressed like a guy playing video poker at 2 a.m.” Sandler’s response? Dramatically storming out, but not before inviting everyone to a 5-on-5 game and hitting Timothée Chalamet with a legendary “Chalameeeetttt!”

Kieran Culkin Wins an Oscar… and Maybe a Baby

Kieran Culkin didn’t just snag an Oscar, he might’ve locked in baby number four. While accepting Best Supporting Actor, he reminded his wife, Jazz Charton, of their deal: Win an Oscar, get a baby. Turns out, she only agreed because she never thought he’d actually win.

Well, guess what? He did. And like a man cashing in a prize, he grinned at her and said, “Love of my life, no pressure, but… let’s get cracking on those kids.”

Oscars Turn Up the Heat with L.A. Firefighters 

Honoring the brave members of the LAFD has been a theme this awards season, but the Oscars cranked it up a notch. Conan O’Brien brought firefighters on stage to a roaring standing ovation because heroes deserve the spotlight. 

Then came the real fun: Conan handed them the mic to read jokes he wasn’t bold enough to say. One zinger? “Our hearts go out to all who lost their homes… and I’m talking about the producers of  Joker 2.” Now that’s how you fire up a crowd.

Streamers in Crisis 

When you’re streaming the Oscars, you have to be ready for the crowd, especially when millions are tuning in. But Hulu didn’t get the memo and hit a major snag early on, leaving over 30,000 viewers unable to watch the show. 

Fast forward to the end of the night, and the livestream abruptly cut off during Sean Baker’s Best Director speech two categories before the finale. It looks like someone didn’t plan for the show to run over, right? Step it up, Hulu!

Gene Hackman Remembered

Hollywood lost a giant with the passing of two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman, and the Oscars made sure his legacy was honored. Morgan Freeman, Hackman’s Unforgiven and Under Suspicion costar, kicked off the In Memoriam segment with a heartfelt tribute. 

Freeman shared a personal message, quoting Hackman’s own words: “I don’t think about legacy, I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.” And, as Freeman said, we’ll remember Hackman for that and so much more.

Sean Baker & ‘Anora’ Sweep the Oscars

The Oscars were full of smiles, but one stood out a little more than the rest. Sean Baker’s film Anora stole the show, taking home the top film prize, while Baker himself snagged four awards. 

But the spotlight didn’t just shine on him, Mikey Madison, the film’s star, was crowned Best Actress, capping off a night of total domination. Talk about a clean sweep.

Adrien Protecting His Record with a Second Oscar

At the 2025 Oscars, Adrien Brody won his second Best Actor award for The Brutalist, 22 years after his first win for The Pianist in 2002. His victory also helped him keep his record as the youngest-ever Best Actor winner, a title Timothée Chalamet almost broke this year.

Brody’s win reaffirmed his undeniable talent and legacy in Hollywood. It also spared him from losing the title that’s stood for over two decades.

007 Gets a Glamorous Tribute at the Oscars

Though no James Bond movie was nominated this year, the Oscars still made room for a spectacular 007 tribute. To mark the franchise’s transfer to Amazon, Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye each performed iconic Bond songs, with Lisa kicking things off with Live and Let Die.

The tribute also featured Margaret Qualley in a stunning red gown, dancing acrobatically with a team of male dancers to the Bond theme. It was a glam-filled celebration of 007, proving that the Bond legacy is still alive and kicking.

Adrien Brody’s Acceptance Speech Interruption

For many Oscar winners, the dreaded wrap-up music is an unavoidable cue to stop talking, but Adrien Brody wasn’t having it. When the music started, he calmly looked into the camera and said, “I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off. It’s not my first rodeo, but I’ll be brief.”

His cheeky response was a playful yet polite plea for more time, reminding producers that he knew how this Oscar thing works. Brody wasn’t about to let the music rush him off stage without making his moment count.

A Legacy Remembered

Queen Latifah honored the late Quincy Jones with a heartfelt tribute at the Oscars. Introduced by Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, the moment celebrated Jones’ profound impact on music and film.

Goldberg praised him as a symbol of Black excellence, while Oprah shared how he gave her a career break in The Color Purple. With 28 Grammys and seven Oscar noms, his legacy lives on.

Conan’s Playful Moment

Conan O’Brien kicked off the break by praising  Anora‘s two wins, then cracked, “I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.” 

His witty remark kept the energy high and added a playful twist to the night. Conan’s quick humor perfectly balanced the excitement and fun of the Oscars.

A Costume Design Coup

Hold up, did Paul Tazewell just make Oscar history? The costume designer for Wicked snagged the Best Costume Design trophy, becoming the first Black man to ever take home the award. Naturally, his Wicked fam Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and director Jon Chu gave him a standing ovation.

“This is absolutely astounding,” Tazewell said, clearly overwhelmed. And honestly, can we blame him? A big win like that? Definitely something worth celebrating with a standing ovation, or maybe even a few bows.

A Starry Farewell

The Oscars paid a moving tribute to the creatives we lost this past year, with a stunning angelic chorus and orchestra. Among the honorees were Hollywood greats like Maggie Smith, Donald Sutherland, and Gena Rowlands, true legends who left their mark.

It was a heartfelt moment, reminding us of the incredible talents who shaped cinema. Their legacies? Unforgettable and ever-present in the magic of film.

What really happened in Hackman’s final moments? Uncover the details in mysterious death of Gene Hackman and wife at home.

O’Brien’s Oscars Roasts and Quips

Conan O’Brien was on fire, keeping the Oscars light with his signature wit. “Karla, if you’re tweeting about the Oscars, my name is Jimmy Kimmel.” O’Brien, speaking to “Emilia Pérez” star Karla Sofía Gascón, whose derailed Oscar campaign was the talk of award season.

He didn’t stop there, taking a hilarious jab at The Brutalist‘s marathon length, saying, “I didn’t want it to end and luckily it didn’t.” Only Conan could keep the Oscars both classy and cracking up.

He kept the crowd laughing, but behind the scenes, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, Read what Conan said about hosting the Oscars amid the L.A. fires.

The Oscars had it all, surprises, standout moments, and star power! What caught your attention the most? Sound off in the comments!

Read More From This Brand:

• Oscar 2025 Was a Wild Ride and We Have Receipts
• Adrien Brody Doubles Up on Oscar Gold 
• Queen Latifah Honors Quincy Jones at the Oscars 

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