Hollywood stars Chris Evans and his wife Alba Baptista graced the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, marking one of their first high-profile public appearances since becoming parents. The couple, who welcomed their daughter Alma Grace Baptista Evans in October, exuded timeless style and glamour at the prestigious event held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Elegant Fashion Statements
The 44-year-old Avengers actor looked dapper in a midnight blue Giorgio Armani tuxedo featuring peaked lapels and patent-leather shoes. Evans added a playful twist to his ensemble with ultra-dark round-frame sunglasses, while a luxurious Chopard L.U.C. XPS watch, valued at just under $24,000, provided an extra touch of sophistication. The timepiece boasts a rose gold case and a brown alligator leather strap, highlighting his refined taste.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Portuguese actress Alba Baptista captivated onlookers in a stunning silver off-the-shoulder gown by Zuhair Murad. The dress featured a plunging neckline that accentuated her cleavage, with ruched detailing around her midriff and a floor-length silhouette. Baptista complemented her look with a sparkling diamond Chopard necklace and wore her brunette hair in thick, cascading waves.
On-Stage Banter and Awards Highlights
During the ceremony, Evans took the stage alongside his former Avengers co-star Robert Downey Jr. to present awards for the screenplay categories. The duo engaged in humorous banter, joking about gifts for the 14th anniversary of their first Avengers film. Evans revealed he had brought a signed copy of the original script by the entire cast, while Downey later surprised him with a sequined thong from Channing Tatum's Magic Mike, complete with a mirror ball effect.
Oscars 2026 Nominees and Snubs
The 98th Academy Awards celebrated the best films of 2025, with Ryan Coogler's horror flick Sinners leading the nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan. Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another followed closely with 13 nominations, while Marty Supreme and Frankenstein each secured nine.
In the Best Actor category, Michael B. Jordan faces stiff competition from Timothee Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and Wagner Moura. The race remains highly contested, with Chalamet's early awards season success challenged by Jordan's recent win at the Actor Awards. Notably, Chalamet has faced backlash for controversial comments about ballet and opera, adding tension to the proceedings.
Irish actress Jessie Buckley is the frontrunner for Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, competing against Emma Stone, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, and Renate Reinsve. However, the awards were not without surprises, as Ariana Grande was snubbed in the Supporting Actress category for Wicked: For Good, and the film failed to secure any nominations despite critical acclaim.
Host and Broadcasting Details
Conan O'Brien returned to host the Oscars for a second consecutive year, taking over from Jimmy Kimmel. The ceremony aired live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV, starting at 7pm ET/4pm PT. This year also introduced a new award for Best Casting, with nominees including industry veterans like Nina Gold and Francine Maisler.
