Oscars 2024: A Night of Snubs, Celebrations, and Shifting Tides in Hollywood
The 2024 Oscars ceremony was a spectacle of rictus grins and relentless backslapping, yet beneath the surface, Hollywood's tectonic plates appeared to be shifting in subtle but significant ways. While the evening celebrated cinematic achievements, it also revealed underlying tensions and evolving dynamics within the industry.
Jacob Elordi's Notable Snub and Jessie Buckley's Joyful Triumph
Australian actor Jacob Elordi, 28, lost out on the Best Supporting Actor prize to Sean Penn for his role in Frankenstein. The disappointment was compounded by what appeared to be a deliberate snub from the film's cast and crew. Costume designer Kate Hawley, who won an Oscar for her work on Frankenstein, made no mention of Elordi in a press room interview, instead repeatedly praising director Guillermo del Toro.
An onlooker noted, "It felt as if Jacob was snubbed—very few of the cast and crew mentioned him. Kate didn't mention Jacob once." This omission sparked talk of Elordi being overlooked amid the post-award discussions.
In stark contrast, Irish actress Jessie Buckley's delight was palpable as she clinched the Best Actress award for her role in Hamnet. Buckley shared an emotional moment with journalists, revealing, "My daughter got her first tooth this week. I woke up with her lying on my chest, snuggling me." She reflected on the profound connection between her role and personal life, stating, "What a gift to get to explore motherhood through this incredible mother that Agnes is and was, and then to become one myself."
When asked about a message for fans in her native Killarney, Buckley joked, "Don't go to bed, keep partying! That's what I'm going to do." Her exuberance highlighted a night of mixed emotions for Hollywood's elite.
Vanity Fair's Exclusive Oscars Afterparty: Glamour and Gatecrashers
Those heeding Buckley's advice found ample opportunity at Vanity Fair's annual Oscars afterparty, held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The gilded event featured fast food from In-N-Out Burger and Domino's Pizza, with Elle Fanning notably snapped posing with a partially eaten burger. However, Fanning's carb indulgence seemed an outlier, as many actresses on the red carpet—including Emma Stone and Demi Moore—appeared worryingly thin, fueling rumors of Hollywood's growing reliance on weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Vanity Fair's editor, Mark Guiducci, boasted of making this year's event more exclusive with a truncated guest list. Yet, the pewter carpet was still plagued by C-list celebrities, including British pop star Rita Ora in a bizarre feathered hat and Julia Fox, known primarily as Kanye West's ex-girlfriend, in a garish cream dress. Model Heidi Klum, despite no serious acting credentials, attended in a matronly yellow gown, while Harvey Weinstein's ex-wife Georgina Chapman walked the carpet with boyfriend Adrian Brody, a double Oscar winner.
The party's exclusivity did little to deter intrusions, but it did attract A-list guests like Usher, Jane Fonda, the Kardashians, and Mick Jagger. Behind-the-scenes photos showed guests relaxing with copious amounts of booze, many changing out of their formal award show attire. Priyanka Chopra Jonas opted for a shimmering gown with an exposed back, while Kylie Jenner swapped her red sequin dress for a black gown with a hip cut-out.
Star-Studded Moments and Emotional Tributes
The afterparty was filled with memorable interactions. Michael B. Jordan proudly displayed his first Oscar for Best Actor in Sinners, embracing Ethan Hawke in a brown ensemble and rose-colored sunglasses. Jessie Buckley showcased her gold trophy in a sparkly black gown, while Olivia Rodrigo was seen enjoying herself with actress Iris Apatow and record producer Daniel Nigro.
Other notable moments included Robert Pattinson posing with girlfriend Suki Waterhouse, Nicole Kidman with host Mark Guiducci, and Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly representing their roles in the Hulu series Love Story. The event also featured a surprise performance by John Batiste, who danced with Mick Jagger.
The Oscars ceremony itself, hosted by Conan O'Brien, was a mix of well-deserved wins, shock snubs, and emotional tributes. The most poignant moment came with a tribute to the late director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle, led by Billy Crystal. A bevy of stars, including Meg Ryan and Cary Elwes, joined hands on stage in a somber remembrance.
The evening was not without its awkward moments. Barbra Streisand teared up during a tribute to Robert Redford, while Timothee Chalamet faced jokes from O'Brien over his controversial comments about opera and ballet. Despite these hiccups, the Oscars 2024 underscored a Hollywood in transition—where snubs and celebrations coexist, and exclusivity battles with intrusion in the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment.
