This year has proven to be a time of representation and many, many firsts. And so was movie's biggest night in 2018; from huge wins for Mexico to massive support for women. From remarks about the Dreamers - undocumented minors with temporary protection in the US - to diversity and change, Hollywood stars focused on paradigm shifts. Gulf News tabloid! followed the A-listers through the night, from their walk down the red carpet to the conversations about the #TimesUp movement and rise of diversity in Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre. Here's a blow by blow account of what went down (all UAE local time). For the complete list of winners, click here.
8.40am: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway make a comeback.
Trolled last year for getting the name of best picture winner wrong, the duo has been given another chance. Can they pull it off? Yes they can.
And the winner is.... The Shape of Water! The movie has won four Oscars tonight.
8.30am:
Jodie Foster and Jennifer Lawrence name the best actress: Frances McDormand, for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. She leaves the audience with a message of empowerment. Two words: "inclusion rider".
The #Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role goes to #FrancesMcDormand for #ThreeBillboardsOutsideEbbingMissouri. This is her second Oscar award. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/NJ4l4MDwzE
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
8.20am:
Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren announce the award for Best Actor: Gary Oldman, for Darkest Hour. In his speech, Oldman expresses gratitude to his mum, who will be "99 years young" next birthday. He says: "Thank you for your love and support. Put the kettle on, I'm bringing Oscar home."
The #Oscar for Actor in a Leading Role goes to #GaryOldman for his role in #DarkestHour. This is his first ever Oscar award. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/z8EKb8YN4n
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
8.14am: Emma Stone takes the stage
She issues the award for the best director to Guillermo Del Toro for The Shape of Water. Del Toro speaks out, in his acceptance speech, about the unifying impact of the movie industry, urging all members - in an emotional voice - that they help it continue to do so.
The #Oscar for Directing goes to #GuillermoDelToro for #ShapeOfWater. This is his first Oscar Award. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ZBmrzRHbN2
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
8.06am:
Eddie Vedder pays tribute to all the stars the world lost this past year with a song from the late Tom Petty, Room At The Top. Indian yesteryear actor Shashi Kapoor is part of this list.
8.02am:
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt hand over the prize for Best Song to Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who wrote the music and lyrics for Coco's Remember Me.
The #Oscar for Best Original Song goes to 'Remember Me' from #Coco. This is the second award for the film tonight. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ApzZVgadZw
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
7.59am:
Christopher Walken announces the nominees for best musical score.
And the winner is: Alexandre Desplat for The Shape of Water
Best Original Score goes to Alexandre Desplat for #ShapeOfWater. This is the second #Oscar for the movie tonight. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/pdBB6t79v5
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
7.51am:
Zendaya introduces Keala Settle, who sings This Is Me, from The Greatest Showman.
7.47am: Sandra Bullock takes the stage
The award for Achievement in Cinematography has four men and one woman in the running. And the winner is Roger A. Deakins for Bladerunner 2049.
The #Oscar for Best Cinematography goes to Roger A Deakins for #BladeRunner2049. This is the second award for the film tonight. #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/bF2FOu53h1
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
7.36am: 'Get Out' wins for writing
Nicole Kidman names the winner of the prize for Original Screenplay: Jordan Peele for Get Out.
The Best Original Screenplay #Oscar goes to #JordanPeele for #GetOut! He's also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/54jrSbl2EF
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
7.31am: Chadwick Boseman and Margot Robbie are on stage
After a not-so-subtle dig at Trump's plans for a border fence, they announce the winner of adapted screenplay Call Me By Your name, by James Ivory.
The #Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay goes to #CallMeByYourName. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/mM0LhlYhXF
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
7.28am: Time for the trailblazers, say stars
Salma Hayek, Tina Fey and Ashley Judd talk change, originality and storytelling. They speak about diversity and woman empowerment.
7.20am:
Comedian Dave Chappelle introduces Andra Day and Common, who rock Stand Up For Something
7.08am: Movie fans meet their favourite stars
Movie stars including Margot Robbie and Lupita Nyong'o take hot dog cannons and gummy bears to an unsuspecting audience at the TCL Chinese Theatre, who were lured for a sneak peek of A Wrinkle in Time to the hall. After cheers and squeaks from the excited fans, one lucky visitor gets to introduce the next presenters, Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolph. These hilarious actresses come out heels in hand, wave to Meryl Streep and follow it by naming the winners of best documentary short subject: Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 (Frank Stiefel).
The #Oscar for Documentary Short Subject goes to 'Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405'. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/9JQfjqwVXA
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
They then announce the winner of the best Live Action Short: it was won by Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton for The Silent Child.
Best Live Action Short Film is #TheSilentChild. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/B5GEw0SgB5
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
6.57am: hey, hey, hey...Matthew McConaughey is in focus
Actor announces the win of Lee Smith for film editing, for Dunkirk.
6.53am:
Gina Rodriguez and Tom Holland announce achievements in visual effects: Blade Runner 2049. While the beauty of effects is acknowledged, the length of the winners' speech - i.e. made by John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert and Richard R.Hoover - is too. There is a get-off-the-stage-quick soundtrack.
6.44am: Sufjan Stevens sings 'Mystery of Love' from 'Call Me By
Your Name'
6.39am:
Coco wins the mantle of best Animated Feature Film for Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson.
Best Animated Feature Film is #Coco! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/OF5lIGR469
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
Animated Short film is announced: Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant win for
Dear Basketball
6.27am:
Mahershala Ali, who won the title of Best Supporting Actor for Moonlight, announced this year's actress in best supporting role: Allison Janney, for I, Tonya.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role goes to #AllisonJanney for #ITonya. It's her first nomination... and win! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/syGboKOJZj
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
6.24am:
86-year-old actress Rita Moreno's energy is infectious as the West Side Story star declares the winner for the Best Foreign Language Film with a victorious ha!. it is: A Fantastic Woman, from Chile.
6.13am: Coco's tune is on: Remember Me
Gael Garcia Bernal is one of the the artists singing the emotional song composed by the creators of another hit favourite - Frozen's Let it Go -Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Two other singers join him on stage: Miguel and Natalia Lafourcade.
6.08am: Lupita Nyong'o and Kumail Nanjiani talk about the 'foundation of America'
They issue a shout out to all the dreamers in America - alien minors in the United States. Nanjiani, who traces his roots to Pakistan says: "We stand with you." The winner for production design is The Shape of Water
#ShapeOfWater wins its first #Oscar of the night: Achievement in Production Design. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/TNQNqR15iy
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
5.58am: Twice the winnings!
Baby Driver stars Ansel Elgort and Eiza Gonzalez announce achivements in sound mixing and sound editing. Dunkirk takes both titles!
The #Oscar for Achievement in Sound Mixing also goes to #Dunkirk. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/A7F2Iypoe0
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
5.44am: Mary J Blige belts out Mighty River
She is nominated for best original song for the Mudbound track - and on this stage she proves why. She performs an emotional rendition that ends with the audience clapping in time with the chorus.
5.40am: Best documentary makers named by Greta Gerwig and Laura Dern
Icarus wins! Bryan Fogel gets emotional in his acceptance speech.
The #Oscar for Best Documentary Feature goes to #Icarus, which exposes a doping scandal in an amatuer cycling race. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/vBv7bLWK2j
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
5.26am:
Eva Marie Saint is on stage to announce Best Costume Design. And the winner is Mark Bridges for Phantom Thread.
Best Costume Design goes to Mark Bridges for #PhantomThread. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/U1PUjs1T3W
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
Make-up and hairstyling winner announced: it is a win for Darkest Hour
Gary Oldman's transformation into Winston Churchill took 13 makeup tests, 48 consecutive shooting days, 200 hours in the makeup chair, and one incredible Oscar-nominated Hair & Makeup team. #DarkestHour pic.twitter.com/CIf6bgQYeH
— Darkest Hour (@DarkestHour) February 23, 2018
#DarkestHour wins Best Makeup and Hairstyling. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/fUpEgBh2uQ
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
5.14am: And the Oscar goes to....
Take out your Gulf News tabloid! copy and see if your picks have won. Are you ready? First up... Viola Davis is on stage to announce the nominees for Best supporting actor.
The winner: Sam Rockwell — Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
This is the first oscar nomination and win for the actor.
Best Supporting Actor goes to #SamRockwell for #ThreeBillboardsOutsideEbbingMissouri. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/U1sVDhxK5K
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
5.05am: Jimmy Kimmel takes the stage
The show begins in Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, California, and Kimmel doesn't waste time in calling out harrasment in the workplace, gender equality, and dissing now disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. He lauds the diversity of this year's line-up.
4.55am: The future queen of Wakanda is here
Former #Oscar winner @Lupita_Nyongo is a true red carpet queen in this #Versace dress. She's presenting tonight. #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/1clEGBuscg
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
4.47am: Blue is the best colour
Nicole Kidman is rocking her simple and yet dramatic Armani blue dress, complete with sleek hair and dangling diamond earrings. We are having a fangirl/boy moment. Nicole, take a bow.
One of our favourite looks of the night so far. #NicoleKidman in #Armani. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/blOPQ4IpAe
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
4.42am: All for 'LadyBird'
For director Greta Gerwig calls being at the Oscars a 'dream come true'.
#GretaGerwig's directorial debut #LadyBird is the talk of the year. She's nominated for Best Director as well as Best Picture among others. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/MqQgoyswnx
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
And here is Saorise Ronan, who is nominated for her role in the same movie.
This is Irish actress #SaoirseRonan's third nomination at the #Oscars, this time for Best Actress in #LadyBird. She's in a beautiful custom-made #CalvinKlein dress. pic.twitter.com/wbUK73I6fn
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
4.32am: Timothee Chalamet's voice cracks
30 minutes before the show begins, Timothee Chalamet is already having fun. The Call Me By Your Name actor calls his on-screen dad, Matthew McConaughey, his 'spirit animal'. At 22, Chalamet is the third-youngest Best Actor Oscar nominee.
Awards season heartthrob #TimotheeChalamet, Best Actor nominee for #CallMeByYourName, is standing out in white. Will he make history as one of the youngest actors to win? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/PJhE14tHkA
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
4.22am: Margot Robbie in Chanel
Aussie actress Margot Robbie, who has produced I, Tonya, has been sweeping up awards for her convincing role in it as figure skater Tonya Harding. Here she is in a chic Chanel gown.
There's a lot of white tonight on the #Oscars red carpet. Best Actress nominee for #ITonya, #MargotRobbie, looking regal in this Chanel dress. Robbie also produced the film and trained for months to learn skating. pic.twitter.com/1fg2e6x7Yd
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
4.17am: Rolling out on the red carpet
Andra Day, nominated for original song with Rapper Common, is right at home amid the A-listers. Here she is chilling out ahead of the show.
Now this is how you work the red carpet! @AndraDayMusic is nominated for Original Song with @common for their song #StandUpForSomething from the film #Marshall. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/TvUh3x3Op2
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
4.15am: Ashley Judd makes a statement
It is the year of the #MeToo moment -- and it is the perfect time to talk about the casting couch and the abuse rife in the industry. The good thing - no one is flinching. Actresses Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino show up together and talk about the importance of addressing the issue of sexual abuse in the workplace.
4.03am: Mary J. Blige is feeling 'humbled'
The singer,songwriter and mesmerising actress is dressed in a cream Versace gown and has a sleek, combed back 'do. Nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song for her contributions to Mudbound, the No More Drama singer has an empowering message for all the fans who look up to her: Don't ever give up.
The iconic #MaryJBlige is nominated in two categories tonight: Supporting Actress as well as Original Song. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/HVQHoxjqS6
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
4.2am: Who else is here?
No pressure at all #DanielKaluuya! The British actor is nominated for Best Actor for his role in the pathbreaking #GetOut. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/a9TBy5mgN8
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
Here's another #GetOut star: #BettyGabriel plays Georgina in the multi-nominated film. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/gZYozvijrF
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
4am: Gina Rodriguez brings drama to the mix.
Stunning look on #GinaRodriguez, one of the presenters tonight. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/P46KGNYCXq
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 5, 2018
3.55am: The couple that laughs together...
We can't get over this couple! @kumailn and wife @emilyvgordon are nominated for Original Screenplay for their film #TheBigSick. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/pvmwTnCOkw
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
3.51am: Salma's on the job
Salma Hayek, who says her 10-year daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault is already calling herself a feminist, looks stunning ahead of her presenter gig.
#SalmaHayek is one of the presenters tonight at the #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/R2seygofco
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
3.49am: The Black Panther shows up
Chadwick Boseman, who played the leader of the Wakandans, T’Challa, says "he's just having fun" after his movie exploded on the scene. The expectations are not weighing him down. But the American does have some words of gratitude. Did you know? Hollywood bigwig Denzel Washington paid for Boseman's participation at a University at Oxford university theatre programme. We don't think he's going to be asking for his money back.
3.45am: Yellow, yellow stunning fellow
The tough-as-nails outlaw from Baby Driver makes a statement in a bright, sunny outfit.
#EizaGonzalez, star of nominated film #BabyDriver, making it pop on the #Oscars red carpet. pic.twitter.com/EgNVYzjvdz
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
3.33am: The stunning Rita Moreno shows up -- in a dress from 1962!
The 86-year-old actress, who won an Oscar in 1962 for her role in West Side Story, returned to the red carpet in the same outfit she wore when she won the golden stattuete. She told reporters: "“I had no idea I was going to win that year, I was sure it was going to be Judy Garland for Judgment at Nuremberg."
3.30am:
Will it be #JordanPeele's night tonight? The director's film #GetOut is a hot favourite at the #Oscars, nominated in many categories including Best Picture and Best Director. pic.twitter.com/cMLFP48VkJ
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
3. 36am
#Oscars Supporting Actor nominee for #ThreeBillboards #SamRockwell is here with girlfriend and actress #LeslieBibb. pic.twitter.com/xtk3JHWqG7
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
3.23am Jane Fona shows off power dressing.
Looking elegant, the A-lister who is presenting tonight, walks the red carpet. She may not be giving any interviews, but she's definitely wowing the crowd.
#JaneFonda is here! Wow! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/FgMOmMiQcm
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
3.20am
It's hard to believe this is #AllisonJanney's first time at the #Oscars! She's nominated for Supporting Actress for her role in #ITonya. pic.twitter.com/dtCGoA8rZU
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
3.15am: 'Shape of Water's fishman is in the house!
The lean and super talented Doug Jones is now on the red-carpet and ready to talk monster role.
3.10am: One of the oldest nominees shows up
Christopher Plummer, who plays J. Paul Getty in All the Money in the World, is competing for the title of Best Supporting Actor. At 88, he is also one of the oldest nominees - not that you'd know it looking at his energy at the event.
Other stars lighting up the res carpet are:
Hot couple alert! Singer @Miguel -- whose song #RememberMe from #Coco is nominated for Original Song -- has arrived with girlfriend and model Nazanin Mandi. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ZODAqB6meo
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
Australian actress @abbiecornish, the star or multiple #Oscars nominee #ThreeBillboards is here! pic.twitter.com/cmRKq4gmEh
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
Actress @zoeydeutch, star of #Oscars Adapted Screenplay nominee #TheDisasterArtist is bringing the frills to the red carpet. pic.twitter.com/Ftn7O7ALXV
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
3am: The stars begin to trickle in
Ok, it's heating up now. One of the first stars on the scene is Kelly Marie Tran looking absolutely nothing like the scruffy, hardcore fighter we saw in the hit Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Good morning from @gulf_news towers, we are live streaming the #Oscars. And one of the early arrivals is #StarWars actress Kelly Marie Tran. pic.twitter.com/jefB70E62v
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
Lebanese actress @ritahayek1, star of #Oscars Foreign Language Film nominee #TheInsult, is bringing some colour to the red carpet. Represent! pic.twitter.com/8OYLZ7T0id
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
#AllisonWilliams, star of #Oscars Best Picture nominee #GetOut looking absolutely breathtaking on the red carpet. pic.twitter.com/yHV9JTbScC
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) March 4, 2018
Don't miss it!
To see the 2018 Oscars, go to OSN Play.