Music

Just before showtime, a man takes center stage – and has plenty to say. “Y’all are going to be hearing from me for the rest of the night,” he says, introducing himself to be the actor and comedian David Alan Grier, who will be the evening’s announcer.

“We’re here for a good time not a long time, so keep these speeches short,” he instructs, advising against thanking agents, publicists, accountants or anybody else. “Now I’m getting side-eye from [those people],” he says with a laugh. (And ironically, he created a running joke for the night as winners including Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Robert Downey Jr notably did thank their publicists and accountants, respectively). 

“Everybody wants to say something that will be remembered tomorrow,” continues Grier. “Remember these words: don’t f— this up!”

Billie Eilish and Finneas are up first to perform their best original song contender, “What Was I Made For?” The bittersweet Barbie hit required a quiet room to hear Eilish’s delicate and airy vocals over Finneas on piano – which the captivated audience had no problem with. 

As the song ended, Barbie star and producer Margot Robbie turned to Billie and Finneas’ parents who were seated just behind her in the third row to give a sympathetic smile, nodding in awe of the superstar siblings. Best supporting actress nominee America Ferrera approaches Billie and Finn’s parents next, speaking with them during the commercial break. And finally, once Billie and Finneas return to the main floor, they’re greeted by director Greta Gerwig and Barbie music supervisor George Drakoulias as they make their way back to their seats, giving Robbie a hug before reuniting with their proud parents.

After host Jimmy Kimmel recalls the infamous streaking indecent at the 46th Academy Awards in 1974, he signals to someone backstage that it’s their time to shine. Soon enough, that person is revealed to be a (almost) fully nude John Cena, who has been enlisted to be the evening’s pre-approved streaker.

After some hesitation, he walks onstage with the award envelope (fittingly, for best costume design) covering his lower region. Luckily, the audience was fully into the bit – genuinely laughing and partially in shock – at Cena’s own commitment. It wasn’t until he ran into Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson backstage that he finally broke character, allowing himself to laugh with everyone else.

Lily Gladstone stays standing during the celebratory performance of “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People),” the best original song contender from Killers of the Flower Moon. Led by composer Scott George, the performance features the Osage Tribal Singers, including nine drummers and 19 others who sing and dance as a unit.

As the performance ends, Gladstone and at least two other women in the audience (both of whom also stood throughout the performance) are among the first and loudest to applaud – though an overwhelming standing ovation quickly follows.

During a commercial break for those at home, the audience at the Oscars was treated to a teaser clip for the upcoming and highly-anticipated “I’m Just Ken” performance. A video of actor Simu Liu (who has a supporting role in Barbie) begins to play, for which he speaks to the crowd from a makeup chair backstage. He asks that fans turn their camera flashlights on for the end of the “Ken” performance, and teases a special singalong moment – calling out Cillian Murphy specifically, saying even he should participate. 

Soon after, as John Mulaney introduces the award for best sound, the cameramen pull off a quick and subtle costume change, donning matching black cowboy hats and signaling that the moment so many have waited for is mere minutes away.

Just offstage, a man wearing a sparkling hot pink suit and sunglasses can be seen looking a little too cool – staring somewhere in the distance. Sure enough, it’s Ryan Gosling – or perhaps in this moment, he’s just Ken. He is soon waved in and walks back to his seat, situated just behind his Barbie co-star Margot Robbie and in front of his best original song competitor Billie Eilish. 

As the cowboy hat-wearing camera crew takes their place, Gosling’s sister Mani gives her brother a side hug for support. Robbie then turns around to likely share her own words of encouragement, after which Gosling turns to Eilish who squeezes his gloved hand before patting him on the back. By then, the Kenergy is too much – it’s go time.

Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish have long been fans of one another. The two first met at Coachella in 2019 and tonight reunite in a major way. Not only was Grande shown giving a standing ovation following Billie and Finneas’ performance of “What Was I Made For?” but now, Grande – alongside Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo – has the pleasure of announcing the best original song winner — for which Eilish and Finneas are nominated.

Grande audibly gasps opening the envelope while a smile takes over her face as she announces that Billie and Finneas just won their second best original song trophy. And as soon as Billie steps onstage, she and Grande fall into a celebratory embrace. After she and Finneas deliver their acceptance speech, Billie turns back to Grande and Erivo to silently scream – but as they all started to walk offstage, Billie and Grande can’t help but let out a celebratory squeal as they hug once more – all in the name of girlhood, of course.