A Musical Opening

What do you do when your ceremony is without a host for the second year in a row? You ask Janelle Monáe to open the show with an elaborate musical number, obviously. The actor-singer came out with a delightful homage to Mr. Rogers before moving into a song honouring the night’s nominees alongside Billy Porter – even referencing films that weren’t nominated, like Midsommar and Dolemite Is My Name. “Tonight we celebrate all the amazing talent in this room,” she said. “We celebrate all the women who directed phenomenal films. And I’m so proud to stand here as a black queer artist telling stories. Happy Black History Month.”

Brad Pitt’s Emotional Speech

Brad Pitt has won basically every award he was nominated for this awards season for his role in Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, giving a string of memorable speeches along the way. Tonight was no different, with Pitt winning his first-ever Oscar for acting. What was different? A visibly moved Pitt took on a more serious tone for his acceptance speech tonight. “They told me I only have 45 seconds up here…which is 45 seconds more than the senate gave John Bolton this week,” he began, citing testimony that was blocked during the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. He then gave shoutouts to director Quentin Tarantino, his co-star Leonardo Dicaprio and stunt actors before ending with a heartfelt thank you to his children.

Bong Joon-ho Gleefully Gazing at His Oscar

Parasite mastermind Bong Joon-ho won his first Oscar of the night for Best Original Screenplay and looked extremely (and deservedly) happy while on stage accepting the award with his co-writer. The Oscars last only one night, but this GIF of Director Bong holding his new statuette is forever.

Later on in the ceremony, Bong won Best Director and delivered what may have been the speech of the night, honouring all of his fellow nominees and even throwing in a possible Mean Girls reference. “Thank you,” he concluded. “I will drink until tomorrow.”

We Nominate Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig as Future Oscars Hosts

Just watch them present. They’re an obvious choice, really.

Diane Ladd Wins Best Supportive Parent

Much like Brad Pitt, Laura Dern has been sweeping this awards season with numerous wins for her supporting role in Marriage Story. She also won her first acting Oscar tonight, and in an emotional speech, thanked her actor parents, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern. “You know, some say, ‘Never meet your heroes,” she said from the stage. “If you’re really blessed, you get them as your parents.” Her mom was in the audience watching tearfully, and we’ll own up to it: the obvious pride in Ladd’s eyes choked us up a bit.

A Powerful Performance

If we’re being honest, there were entirely too many musical numbers during a ceremony dedicated to movies (including an impressive but very random Eminem appearance). Cynthia Erivo’s performance of Harriet ballad “Stand Up,” (for which she was nominated) was a clear standout, earning the multi-talented Brit an enthusiastic standing ovation.

The Night’s Big Winners

Parasite took home the night’s top prize, earning its spot in the history books. The South Korean film becomes the first-ever non-English-language film to win Best Picture in the Oscars 92-year history.

Check out some of the ceremony’s most notable winners below, and click here for a full list of the 2020 Oscar winners.

Best Picture: Parasite 

Best Actress: Renée Zellweger, Judy

Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker 

Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Supporting Actress: Laura Dern, Marriage Story 

Best Director: Bong Joon-ho, Parasite 

Original Screenplay: Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won, Parasite

Adapted Screenplay: Taika Waititi, Jojo Rabbit

International Feature: Parasite 

Read more:

The Best Dressed at the 2020 Oscars

Natalie Portman Acknowledges Snubbed Female Directors on Her Oscars Gown

Happy First Oscar Win to the Internet’s Favourite Actor, Laura Dern