United States-based writer Janet Susan Nepales shares her behind-the-scenes experiences at the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday (US time).
HOLLYWOOD --- The 84th Academy Awards held at the Hollywood and Highland Theater (formerly known as the Kodak Theatre) came back to life thanks to a crop of very good movies, great script for the presenters, the Cirque du Soleil number, and the wonderful host Billy Crystal.
But let us take you behind the scenes as we go from the red carpet to the interview room.
On the red carpet, we were entertained by the presence of Crystal the monkey from “The Hangover 2” dressed in a pink dress and wearing a necklace. Then she was followed by a group of penguins.
One of the most adorable couples we anticipated to walk down the red carpet but didn’t were Kermit and Miss Piggy. But we were happy to see Darren Criss perform a duet with Kermit and do “Rainbow Connection.”
Darren said, “I am a small guy like you. You should be in ‘Glee.’” To which Kermit replied, “And you should be in a ‘Muppet’ movie. So why don’t you talk to your people and I will talk to my people and let us make it happen.”
Halle Berry, at the last minute, cancelled her appearance at the Oscars due to a broken foot. She broke it, she said, while trying to chase her three-year-old daughter Nahla.
Producer Brian Glazer told a reporter that he advised actors “to be classy, funny and on time.”
Glenn Close of “Albert Nobbs” was probably the only actress who wore a jacket over her green gown. Just like George Clooney, she went straight to the screaming fans, to say hello before posing for photographers on the red carpet.
P. Diddy came as an executive producer of the winning documentary feature “Undefeated.” The documentary tells the story of the underprivileged and underfunded Manassas Tigers football team and their coaches as they hurdle their struggles and become heroes.
Eco-friendly gown for ‘The Artist’ actress
Missy Pyle of “The Artist” turned out in an eco-friendly, flowing blue gown that won the third annual sustainable couture competition known as the “Red Carpet Green Dress” in the hopes that “more actresses will grace the red carpet in eco-friendly gowns.” She said her gown, designed by Valentina Delfino was made from silkworms. She is the first actress in an Oscar nominated film to wear the annual competition’s winning design.
She was selected for her willowy 5 foot 11 inch frame and her interest in sustainability. Of course, with “The Artist’s” nominations, a lot of attention will also be showered on her. Her gown is made from gluten-free silkworms, she said.
The wife of “Avatar” director James Cameron, Suzy Amis Cameron, started the competition and was the first one to wear the winning eco-friendly design at the Oscars.
The Dictator Meets the American Idol (Host)
Ryan Seacrest, another host of E!, was excited to interview Sacha Baron Cohen who at first was denied to arrive at the Oscars red carpet as his character in his next movie, “The Dictator.” But at the last minute, the Oscar producers allowed him.
So when Sacha walked the red carpet as General Aladeen, the despot he is portraying in his upcoming movie, “The Dictator,” he talked to Ryan while two lovely assistants in military outfits stood beside him, one on each side.
He exclaimed, "Ryan, hello! Death to the West!"
Then Ryan asked him what he was wearing and he said, “I am wearing John Galliano (the designer who was found guilty of racist comments to customers in a café) but my socks are from Kmart! Because as Saddam Hussein once told me, ‘Socks are socks. Don’t waste money!” Ryan even pulled up his pants to show Sacha’s Kmart socks.
Ryan then asked the dictator if one of the biggest perks of being so powerful was that he got to attend the Oscars.
Sacha replied, “It gave me an opportunity to bring my dear friend and doubles tennis partner, Kim Jong II (the late North Korean leader).” Sacha was carrying what looked like an urn with the picture of Kim Jong II on it. “It was his dream to come to the Oscars and be sprinkled over the red carpet and HalleBerry’s chest again.”
Then Sacha accidentally stumbled and poured the ashes from the urn all over Ryan’s Burberry tuxedo, causing a commotion among Ryan’s colleagues. Two burly guards suddenly get Sacha out of the area while Sacha pretended to clean up Ryan.
Sacha shouted, “If they ask you who you are wearing, just say Kim Jong II!”
Ryan, who was visibly stunned, said while cleaning up the ashes from his tux, “I had an idea something was coming. I just didn’t know in what fashion or form.
Then Kelly Osbourne said, “We do not know what to say!” Giuliana Rancic said to Ryan, “Do you know how lucky you are? You were the chosen one by The Dictator!”
“Is this a vision of luck?!” Ryan replied while dusting him off. “Now all these cameras are focused on me dusting off.”
Good thing Ryan said, he brought two tuxedos because “my mother always told me to pack two. I did not understand her before but now I know why. Thank God I listened to my mom.”
Best dressed actresses
Some of those who made our “best dressed” list were:
Jennifer Lopez in her Zuhair Murad gown
Angelina Jolie in her high front slit, black Atelier Versace gown
Gwyneth Paltrow in her classic white Tom Ford cape and gown
Stacy Keibler in her gold off-shoulder Marchesa gown
Cameron Diaz in her flowing off-shoulder beige Gucci gown
Michelle Williams was hot in a coral Louis Vuitton strapless gown with ruffled bodice
“The Artist” actress Berenice Bejo wore a very feminine lacey long-sleeved Elie Saab mint-colored gown
Jessica Chastain of “The Help” was stunning in her black and gold brocade Alexander McQueen gown and $2 million in Harry Winston jewelry. She also brought her grandmother to the Oscar while “Moneyball’s” Jonah Hill brought his mom.
Penelope Cruz looked younger in her shorter shoulder-length hair and in a smoke-blue Giorgio Armani fitted bodice and long flowing train
Viola Davis made a strong and sexy statement in her custom-made Vera Wang emerald green corseted gown with a floral crystal appliqué and a chiffon pleated skirt. She also wore her own hair minus wigs and so she thanked Vera Wang for her outfit and “my mom for my hair.” She said it was her husband Julius Tennon who encouraged her not to use a wig. “Step into who you are! It’s a powerful statement,” he said.
Backstage
Meryl Streep encouraged all girls to do what they want and not to be discouraged. She also became emotional again when she talked about the support her husband gives to her to do what she loves to do.
Octavia Spencer was still in tears when she walked backstage and hugging her Oscar statuette tightly. She still could not believe that she has won.
Christopher Plummer, 82, said that he was not the oldest winner but thinks that Charlie Chaplin was the oldest. - GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
