Raffey Cassidy made a striking entrance at the 97th Academy Awards, held on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The 23-year-old actress donned a remarkable white satin gown, notable for its one-shoulder design and a prominent 3D bow, showcasing her figure alongside a pair of towering heels. Complementing her outfit, she adorned her ears with stunning drop earrings and styled her long black hair in a sleek loose do, highlighted by a glamorous makeup choice that accentuated her features. Cassidy appeared radiant as she posed on the red carpet amid the bright lights and excitement of the star-studded event.

This year’s Oscars were particularly significant, celebrating the best films of 2024. Among the competitors, Emilia Pérez emerged as the most nominated film, with an impressive 13 nominations, including best picture, and acting nods for Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña. Gascón plays the lead role of a former Mexican drug lord who transitions to a transgender woman in a story filled with themes of identity and redemption, whereas Saldaña portrays an ethically dubious lawyer guiding her through this transformation.

Following closely was The Brutalist, which received 10 nominations. The film features Adrien Brody in a poignant role as a Jewish architect navigating life in the U.S. post-Holocaust, and it is directed by Brady Corbet. The competition for best picture also includes Wicked, another film with 10 nominations, which features Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in a musical adaptation of the Wizard of Oz tale from a different perspective.

Making his hosting debut was Conan O’Brien, who expressed his excitement with a joking comment: “I only agreed to host so that I could get invited.” His involvement added a fresh dynamic to the evening as the ceremony unfolded with anticipation.

In the best actor category, the competition has seen significant changes. Timothée Chalamet’s unexpected win at the recent Screen Actors Guild Awards for his role in A Complete Unknown altered the landscape, challenging previous frontrunner Adrien Brody, who had enjoyed a streak of awards leading up to the Oscars. Additionally, Ralph Fiennes remains a strong contender for his performance in Conclave, a film depicting a secretive papal election process. Meanwhile, Colman Domingo and Sebastian Stan round out the pool of nominees with notable performances.

The best actress category remains highly contested as well. Demi Moore, celebrated for her role in The Substance, is emerging as a frontrunner after recent critical successes, including wins from critics’ groups and awards festivals. Mikey Madison, starring in Anora, is also gaining momentum following victories at prestigious ceremonies like the BAFTAs and Independent Spirit Awards.

Further complicating matters, controversy surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón’s past social media posts has impacted her nomination and potentially the film Emilia Pérez’s chances overall. Despite public backlash, she is still expected to attend the awards ceremony.

In the supporting actor category, Kieran Culkin has established himself as the favourite owing to several recent wins, while the supporting actress category sees Saldaña leading the pack after securing multiple notable awards in the season.

As the night progressed, the nominees and winners across various categories were showcased, including potential recognitions for original songs and directing talents, creating a highly anticipated event for film enthusiasts. This year’s Academy Awards can be watched live on ABC, marking a milestone as the ceremony is also available for streaming for the first time on platforms like Hulu. The festivities commenced at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, spotlighting the achievements and advancements within the film industry while honouring artistic excellence.

Source: Noah Wire Services