After witnessing countless Oscars ceremonies over the past thirty years, one thing remains consistent – the Oscars deliver a mix of unforgettable moments that stay with you. To capture the essence of this year’s 2025 Oscars, here are the standout moments, from the mesmerizing opening by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to the triumph of No Other Land.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo open the Oscars
Wicked stars and Oscar nominees Ariana and Cynthia mesmerized the audience with a breathtaking performance paying homage to Hollywood magic and the beloved Wizard of Oz tale that inspired Wicked. Ariana kicked off the act with Somewhere Over the Rainbow from A Wizard of Oz, joined later by Cynthia with Home from The Wiz.
The performance climaxed with their moving duet from the movie, Defying Gravity. It was an emotional moment; even Michelle Yeoh couldn’t hold back her tears, as she was spotted wiping her tears in the audience.
Kieran Culkin’s speech
Kieran Culkin wrapped up a remarkable awards season by clinching the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in A Real Pain. During his acceptance speech, he humorously recalled his 2024 Emmy’s speech, where he publicly pleaded with his wife, Jazz Charton, for another child. Their humorous agreement led Kieran to share, “She said, ‘I’ll give you four kids if you win an Oscar.’ I extended my hand, she shook it, and we haven’t discussed it since. No pressure, I adore you, and I apologize for putting us in this situation again… so, shall we start with those kids?”
While it might have been out of place for others, Kieran’s charm made it a delightful moment. A flawless 10/10 speech indeed.
Bowen Yang presents the Oscar to Paul Tazewell for Best Costume Design
Bowen Yang not only presented the Oscar for Best Costume Design in his Wicked attire but also had the honor of handing the award to the film’s costume maestro, Paul Tazewell. The heartfelt moment was elevated when Paul revealed he was the first black man to win in this category, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. A well-deserved win, Paul!
