The 2025 Oscars was a night full of excitement, anticipation, and controversy, but one thing was certain – host Conan O’Brien and Best Actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón stole the show. With their quick wit and sharp humor, they had the audience in stitches from the opening monologue to the final award announcement.
Conan wasted no time in addressing the elephant in the room – the controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez and its leading star, Karla Sofía Gascón. During his opening monologue, the US comedian made light of some of the most talked-about issues of this year’s awards season, from The Brutalist’s epic runtime to Wicked’s unusual premise. But it was his jabs at Karla’s recent controversy that had the audience laughing the hardest.
For those who may not know, Karla Sofía’s path to the Oscars was not without its challenges. Shortly after the announcement of her Best Actress nomination for the critically acclaimed Emilia Pérez, offensive social media posts from her past resurfaced. In these posts, Karla had criticized topics such as Islam, the Black Lives Matter movement, and diversity at award shows. She initially apologized and deleted her account, but later gave an interview to CNN where she claimed to be a victim of “cancel culture.” This controversy led to her being a no-show at several other awards shows where she was nominated, but she did attend the Oscars.
Conan didn’t hold back in poking fun at the situation. “Anora uses the F-word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist,” he joked, referring to the frequent use of profanity in the film Anora, which was also nominated for multiple awards.
He then added, with a mischievous smile, “Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, remember, my name is Jimmy Kimmel.” The audience erupted into laughter, knowing that Conan was referencing the mishap from a few years ago when Kimmel accidentally announced the wrong winner for Best Picture.
Despite the controversy and mixed reviews, Emilia Pérez made history as the most-nominated non-English-language film in Oscars history. And Karla Sofía, as the first openly trans performer to be nominated for an Oscar in an acting category, made history in her own right.
But the night was not just about controversy and history-making. It was also about celebrating the achievements of the talented individuals in the film industry. And the winners list was proof of that. Some of the biggest names in the industry were nominated, and the competition was fierce in every category.
The biggest winner of the night was Martin Scorsese’s period drama, The Brutalist, which took home six Oscars, including Best Director and Best Picture. The film’s epic storyline and stellar performances by its all-star cast, including Karla Sofía, captivated audiences and critics alike.
Other notable winners included The Substance, a thought-provoking drama about addiction and recovery, which won Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for its breakout star, Tyler Ventura. Wicked, a musical fantasy about a young witch’s journey to find her place in the world, won Best Original Song and Best Production Design. And, of course, Anora, the profanity-laden coming-of-age comedy, took home the award for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actress for its leading lady, Mariah Dupont.
The night was also filled with emotional and heartfelt speeches from the winners. Kieran Culkin, who won Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Substance, had his acceptance speech censored due to his colorful language, but he still managed to make the audience laugh and thank his fellow nominees. And Ariana Grande, who looked breathtaking in a dreamy pastel gown, gave a touching speech after winning Best Original Song for Wicked, dedicating her award to the LGBTQ+ community.
The 2025 Oscars was not just about the awards, but also about the fashion. As always, the red carpet was filled with glamour and high fashion. From Ariana Grande’s princess-like gown to Zendaya’s bold and daring ensemble, the stars pulled out all the stops to make a fashion statement.
But ultimately, the night belonged to host Conan O’Brien and Best Actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón, who kept the audience entertained with their comedic banter and effortless chemistry. They
