By Katherine Tinsley
7:22pm PST, Mar 2, 2025
Ariana Grande and
Cynthia Erivo opened the show with a jaw-dropping performance that left the crowd and viewers in tears.
"
Ariana Grande's ode to
The Wizard of Oz with 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow,'" one X user wrote about the spectacle. "Cynthia Erivo's ode to
The Wiz with 'Home' and ending it with 'Defying Gravity' from
Wicked. Ohhhhhh I'm crying."
Paul Tazewell, who was the man behind
Wicked's colorful wardrobe, became the first Black man to accept an
Academy Award in the category.
"I'm the first Black man to receive the costume design award," he said in the beginning of his acceptance speech. "I'm so proud of this."
Zoe Saldaña won an Oscar for for her role in
Emilia Pérez, and the Dominican-American actress acknowledged that the win was breaking the glass ceiling for her community.
"My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last," the star declared.
Adam Sandler provided some comedic relief while in casual attire.
"lol Adam Sandler (in shorts and a sweatshirt) interrupting
Conan O'Brien's Oscars monologue to run up to
Timothée Chalamet and hug him 'Chalamet!!!!!!'" one person raved on X.
During the red carpet,
Chicken Shop Date host
Amelia Dimoldenberg and
Edvin Ryding decided to defy their vocal capabilities and attempted to hit Erivo's signature high note from
Wicked.
Although the duo sounded off-pitch, fans were excited to the duo show off their love for the musical.
O'Brien joked about
Kendrick Lamar and
Drake's ongoing "rap beef" following the Super Bowl drama.
"Well, we're halfway through the show which means it's time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile," the talk show host said, referring to the damaging allegations Lamar made against the
Degrassi star.
