Here are the moments that made this year’s awards one to watch.
The 96th Academy Awards started strong with former supporting Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o introducing Da’Vine Joy Randolph as one of the contenders for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Randolph, who has dominated the awards season for her role as Mary, a grieving mother who lost her son in Vietnam in The Holdovers, took home the category’s prestigious award.
Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, with Melissa McCarthy, presented the Best Original Screenplay and Adapted Screenplay awards. Cord Jefferson, who took home the Best Adapted Screenplay award for American Fiction, spoke about giving filmmaking opportunities to all creatives who want to make their mark in Hollywood.
Jon Batiste gave an emotional rendition of “It Never Went Away” from his nominated documentary, American Symphony. The Last Repair Shop, which highlights the importance of music in our lives, won Best Short Documentary Film.
Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash performed with Ryan Gosling for the nominated song, “I’m Just Ken.” After the energetic performance, EBONY spotted Kens of all shades dancing it up in the Dolby Theater lobby.
David Alan Grier served as the night’s announcer.
David Alan Grier alongside daughter Luisa Danbi Grier-Kim at the 2024 Oscars. Image: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images.
