The Oscars 2024 Luncheon: A Memorable Affair Filled with Surprises and Laughter
The annual Academy Awards luncheon took place in Los Angeles on Monday, bringing together 179 of this year’s nominees for a delightful afternoon of mingling, fine dining, and the iconic “class photo.” While not every nominee was able to attend, there was no shortage of stars, stunning outfits, and unexpected moments that kept everyone entertained. Let’s take a closer look at some of the highlights from this year’s luncheon.
1. A La La Land reunion
In a delightful twist of fate, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, who were both nominees for the critically acclaimed film La La Land in 2017, made a return to the Academy Awards this year. However, they were nominated for different films this time around, with Gosling being recognized for his role in Barbie and Stone for Poor Things. Gosling paid a subtle tribute to his previous best picture-nominated film by donning a lilac suit.
2. Two nominees formed a backbenchers club
Actor Sterling K Brown and songwriter Diane Warren found themselves standing together in the back row of the class photo. Both nominees are aware that their chances of winning in their respective categories are slim. Brown even openly admitted in an interview that he knows he won’t win and is just happy to be in the room. Warren, on the other hand, has been nominated an impressive 15 times for best original song but has never won. She humorously remarked that her song might cancel out another Barbie song in the running.
3. Is that… Godzilla?
One of the visual effects team members from Godzilla Minus One, Takashi Yamazaki, brought along a figurine of Godzilla to the event. This wasn’t the first time Yamazaki had brought the monster along to red carpets and premieres, so it was only fitting that Godzilla made an appearance in the class photo as well.
4. DOG
Messi, the border collie who stole hearts with its performance in Anatomy of a Fall, flew all the way from France to attend the luncheon. Messi and its trainer Laura Martin Contini were popular among the actors at the event, including Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper, who had the pleasure of meeting the talented dog. Unfortunately, Messi was not included in the class photo, leading to a formal complaint being submitted to the Academy.
5. Carey and Emily repped for the Brits
Emily Blunt and Carey Mulligan were the only two British actors nominated this year. Both made it to the luncheon and posed for photos together before the meal. While Irish stars also had a notable presence in the awards season, only Blunt’s Irish co-star Cillian Murphy received an Oscar nomination.
6. Save a seat for us in the front row, will you please
The front row of the class photo was filled with star power, featuring directors Christopher Nolan and Martin Scorsese alongside acting contenders Lily Gladstone and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The awards buzz surrounding these individuals is undeniable, making this row a coveted spot for any film enthusiast.
7. Billie Eilish kept it casual
Known for her unique and innovative fashion choices, Billie Eilish turned heads once again at the Academy luncheon. Sporting a casual bandana, yellow jacket, and tartan trousers that matched her brother Finneas’ outfit, Eilish added her signature style to the event. She and Finneas are nominated for best original song, a category where they have already achieved success with a Grammy and a Golden Globe.
8. We would like to be friends with this man
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique stole the spotlight in this year’s class photo with his distinctive pose. Crossing his arms instead of looking straight ahead and smiling like most others, Libatique garnered attention from film fans who admired his energy and unique presence. Nominated for his work on Maestro, Libatique proudly showcased his pose on the red carpet as well.
9. Barbie was not snubbed
Margot Robbie, known for her portrayal of Barbie, made a fashionable appearance at the luncheon. Although she missed out on a best actress nomination, Robbie was present as a producer for a best picture nominee. Director Greta Gerwig, also associated with Barbie, was nominated in the best adapted screenplay category.
10. If something is funny, please share it with the rest of the class
During the process of capturing the class photo, there were inevitably some amusing mishaps. Some nominees were caught blinking at the exact moment the camera clicked, giving the impression that they were sleeping while standing up. However, the most eye-catching mishap came from Arthur Harari, nominated for best original screenplay for Anatomy of a Fall. Harari was seen laughing during the photo, and while the reason remains unknown, it is speculated that Paul Giamatti, known for his sense of humor
