The 2025 Academy Awards delivered a night of unforgettable moments, from Ariana Grande's heartfelt pride during Cynthia Erivo's performance of 'Defying Gravity' to Conan O'Brien's sharp jokes. But amid the glitz, several standout performances and interactions flew under the radar.
Karla Sofía Gascón, nominated for Best Actress despite controversy over past tweets, attended the ceremony and received a gentle ribbing from host Conan O'Brien. He joked about the F-word count in 'Anora' and her publicist, prompting a demure smile from Gascón as the crowd cheered her attendance.
Adrien Brody's win for Best Actor was preceded by a red carpet moment with Halle Berry, who returned a kiss he had given her 22 years ago. Later, Brody attempted to toss his chewing gum to his partner Georgina Chapman, but she missed the catch, leaving the gum on the carpet for the janitor to find.
Colman Domingo, a Best Actor nominee, led an impromptu dance break during a commercial break, sipping a drink and entertaining the audience. Meanwhile, Adam Sandler defied dress codes in a Hawaiian shirt and basketball shorts, quipping to Conan that his appearance only became an issue when brought up.
Andrew Garfield moved the audience to tears while presenting with Goldie Hawn, thanking her for the joy she brought his late mother. And Kieran Culkin, after winning Best Supporting Actor, reminded his wife Jazz of her promise to have four children if he won an Oscar, apologising for the timing.
