The Oscars 2022 Awards

The Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars, is one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies for those in the entertainment industry, where those in the film industry are awarded for their artistic and technical achievements. So naturally, awards were given out to some of the best in the film industry, but just because of the ceremony’s prestige doesn’t mean it came without drama. 

The 2022 Oscars were hosted by Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes. The ceremony took place on March 27th and began at 8 p.m. on ABC.

The awards show started off-camera, and the first eight awards were given before the ABC stream of the show. Ariana DeBose received the first award presented of the night and became the first Afro-Latina and openly LGBTQ actor to win an academy award in that category. She won the award for her “West Side Story” performance, which came out in December 2021.

The second award was for best sound, won by the movie “Dune.” Along with the best sound, the movie also won awards for visual effects, film editing, production design, cinematography, and best original score, which Hans Zimmer created.

The night was one of many first as Jane Campion is the first woman ever to be nominated twice for the same category and this year won an award for it as the best director for the film “The Power of the Dog.” 

This year’s best actress and actor awards were given to first-time Oscar winners. Jessica Chastain won best actress for her role in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” and Will Smith won the best actor for his role in “King Richard.”

Smith’s win took place after a moment that sparked the most talk and drama of the night and days following. One of the night’s presenters, Chris Rock, made a joke about Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock jokingly said that he looked forward to seeing her in a “G.I. Jane” sequel. Following the joke, Will Smith strutted from his seat to the stage and proceeded to slap Rock across the face. In a moment of shock, everyone, including Rock, was stunned. When he took back his seat, Smith screamed at Rock from his seat as Rock continued on stage.

Smith’s acceptance speech then looked and sounded more like a thinly-veiled defense for his actions, saying, “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, but love will make you do crazy things.” While Smith didn’t apologize to Rock, he did apologize to the academy and the other nominees in attendance. 

The altercation sparked controversy in many ways, but it also overshadowed many of the achievements that the Oscars showcased this year. Tony Kotsur is the first deaf male actor to win the best supporting actor, “Drive My Car” is the first Japanese film to be Oscar-nominated for best picture, and DeBose’s win made history.

Aside from the previously mentioned altercation, the ceremony went on as usual. This year the ceremony relied heavily on musical performances. Beyoncé, one of the biggest stars in pop, kicked off the Oscars with a performance of her song “Be Alive” from “King Richard.” The pre-recorded performance was filmed in Compton, where Serena and Venus Williams, those “King Richard” is based on, grew up. 

There was also a partial performance of “Encanto’s” hit song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The performance started with the song’s beginning but suddenly cut to an unexpected rap by Megan Thee Stallion. Encanto also won the award for the best-animated feature. Another notable performance was Billie Eilish and Finneas’ astoundedly chilling performance of their song, “No Time to Die,” which won best original song.

Other than a pointed comment from host Sykes, who said, “and for you people in Florida, we’re going to have a gay night,” alluding to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and a 30-second moment of silence for Ukraine led by Mila Kunis who is Ukrainian, politics stayed unmentioned for the night.

Winning the night’s final award, director Sian Hender’s film “CODA” won the best picture along with the best-adapted screenplay. The movie first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021 and is a deaf family drama, now streaming on Apple TV.

The Oscars have had plummeting ratings in the past few years, especially last year, with only about 10 million viewers tuning in. The night was one of many well-deserved awards, fantastic performances, and unexpected drama, but will this be enough to raise ratings?

Full List of Awards Won:

• Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay: CODA
• Best Actress: Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
• Best Actor: Will Smith, King Richard
• Best Director: Jane Campion, Power of the Dog 
• Best Original Song: No Time to Die by Billie Eilish and Finneas
• Best Documentary Feature: Summer of Soul
• Best Original Screenplay: Belfast
• Best Costume Design: Cruella
• Best International Feature Film: Drive My Car 
• Best Supporting Actor: Troy Kotsur, CODA 
• Best Animated Feature: Encanto
• Best Visual Effect, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and Best Production Design: Dune
• Best Supporting Actor: Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
• Best Live Action Short Film: The Long Goodbye
• Best Animated short film: The Windshield Wiper
• Best Documentary Short: The Queen of Basketball
• Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Eyes of Tammy Faye