Oscar Nominees Celebrate at Pre-Awards Dinner and Class Photo Event/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Oscar nominees gathered Tuesday at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for a night of cocktails, dinner, and their annual class photo ahead of Sunday’s 97th Academy Awards. The event, typically a luncheon, was rescheduled due to Southern California wildfires but maintained its festive, collegial atmosphere. Nominees mingled, shared laughs, and received guidance on acceptance speeches from Academy President Janet Yang.
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Oscars Nominee Gathering Quick Looks
- Oscar nominees attended a pre-Academy Awards celebration with cocktails, dinner, and the traditional class photo.
- The event was rescheduled due to California wildfires but retained its cheerful, supportive tone.
- Best actress contenders Mikey Madison and Demi Moore mingled with best actor nominees Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody.
- Academy President Janet Yang urged nominees to keep acceptance speeches to 45 seconds.
- Nominees enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, photo sharing, and informal chats.
- First-time and multiple-time nominees were acknowledged for their achievements.
- Fashion ranged from gowns and tuxedos to casual-chic ensembles, showcasing personal style.
- Dinner was exclusive to nominees, celebrating both A-list stars and behind-the-scenes talents.
Oscar Nominees Celebrate at Pre-Awards Dinner and Class Photo Event
Deep Look
LOS ANGELES — With just five days until the 97th Academy Awards, Oscar nominees gathered Tuesday night at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for an evening of camaraderie, cocktails, dinner, and the traditional annual class photo.
This year’s event served as a substitute for the customary Oscars luncheon, which was canceled due to the Southern California wildfires. Despite the change in schedule, the atmosphere was celebratory as nominees across all categories — from blockbuster stars to independent filmmakers — mingled and celebrated their achievements.
“Everyone say Oscar nominee!” shouted best actress nominee Cynthia Erivo, eliciting enthusiastic cheers as the group posed for the class photo in the museum’s David Geffen Theater.
Star-Studded Moments
The event was marked by warm reunions and new connections:
- Best actress favorites Mikey Madison (“Anora”) and Demi Moore embraced and chatted.
- Best actor frontrunners Timothée Chalamet (“Wonka”) and Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”) exchanged friendly greetings.
- In the front row, nominees like Ariana Grande, Monica Barbaro, and Zoe Saldaña shared laughs and stories.
- Chalamet greeted reporters by name, underscoring the night’s casual vibe.
Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes talents — including sound mixers, animators, and short film creators — enjoyed their moment in the spotlight alongside household names.
Academy’s Guidance & Speeches
During the event, Academy President Janet Yang provided orientation tips:
- Reminded attendees that the Oscars air this Sunday.
- Requested acceptance speeches be limited to 45 seconds, urging nominees to be heartfelt yet concise.
- Emphasized the importance of community, support, and celebrating artistry.
“Forty-five!” the nominees chanted back as Yang encouraged brevity onstage.
A Night of Laughter & Connection
Memorable Moments:
- Mikey Madison and Isabella Rossellini swapped dog photos during cocktails.
- Jeremy Strong joked with Rossellini about her farm animals.
- Nominees including Sebastian Stan and Colman Domingo bonded over their shared experiences.
- Ariana Grande playfully asked the photographer to reshoot the class picture when a latecomer arrived.
Fashion Highlights
- Attendees embraced the “cocktail attire” dress code with varying interpretations:
- Demi Moore and Ariana Grande dazzled in elegant gowns.
- Isabella Rossellini sported a stylish smoking jacket and gold brooch.
- Timothée Chalamet opted for a shiny black denim-inspired suit paired with a bold gold chain.
- Jeremy Strong kept things relaxed with a bomber jacket and sneakers.
Looking Ahead to Oscars Night
As the evening concluded, nominees enjoyed an exclusive dinner while media and publicists stepped aside. The class photo — capturing the spirit of this year’s Oscars — serves as a reminder that whether seasoned veterans or first-timers, all nominees share this moment together.
With voting closed and winners determined, the countdown to Sunday’s Academy Awards is officially on.
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