Oscars 2021 best moments: Daniel Kaluuya's speech, Youn Yuh-jung fangirls Brad Pitt, and a service dog on the red carpet

The awards may have been scaled down, but there was still plenty of star power on the night

Sophie Prideaux author image
Sophie Prideaux
Apr 26, 2021
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This year's awards season was rounded off on Sunday night with Hollywood's biggest night, the Oscars, taking place in Los Angeles.

The 93rd Academy Awards was a scaled-down affair, but there was still plenty of action as the great and good of Hollywood joined together, in a socially distanced manner, of course, to celebrate the best of the big screen from the past 12 months.

From charming speeches to Glenn Close's surprising dance moves, here are some of the best moments from the night ...

Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson make history – and almost leave without their Oscar

Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson made history on Sunday, becoming the first black women to win an Oscar for Makeup and Hairstyling for their work on Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. 

Mia Neal, Jamika Wilson and Sergio Lopez-Rivera, winners of the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" pose in the press room at the Oscars, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 25, 2021. Chris Pizzello/Pool via REUTERS
Mia Neal, Jamika Wilson and Sergio Lopez-Rivera, winners of the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', pose in the press room at the Oscars. Reuters

“I stand here, as Jamika and I break this glass ceiling, with so much excitement for the future,” Neal said as she collected her Oscar.

So much excitement, in fact, that she almost left the Oscar behind on stage, and had to be prompted to run back and grab it.

Daniel Kaluuya’s mother and sister react as he wins Best Supporting Actor

Reaction of Daniel Kaluuya’s mother as he wins Oscar sets internet alight

Reaction of Daniel Kaluuya’s mother as he wins Oscar sets internet alight

British actor Daniel Kaluuya has swept this awards season, making it five for five at Sunday's Oscars with Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Judas and the Black Messiah.

“To chairman Fred Hampton,” Kaluuya said in his acceptance speech, paying tribute to the Black Panther Party activist he portrays in the film. “What a man. How blessed we are that we lived in a lifetime where he existed.”

Speaking of Hampton’s legacy, he added: “There’s so much work to do. That’s on everyone in this room.”

Kaluuya’s mother and sister were in LA's Union Station to watch him accept the award live, and their reactions set the internet alight.

“Daniel Kaluuya's mom's face during that moment was priceless,” one user wrote.

“Daniel Kaluuya's mom's face says it all! Face with tears of joy,” wrote another.

Thomas Vinterberg pays tribute to his late daughter

Director Thomas Vinterberg got emotional as he accepted the award for Best International Feature Film for Another Round, as he paid tribute to his daughter.

Ida, 19, died when he was just days into production on the film, in which she was due to have a starring role. She was killed in a road accident after being hit by a driver who was on their phone.

"She was supposed to be in this and if anyone dares to believe that she's here with us somehow, you'd be able to see her clapping and cheering with us," Vinterberg said in his speech.

"We ended up making this movie for her – as her monument. So, Ida, this is a miracle that just happened, and you're a part of this miracle – maybe even pulling some strings somewhere. But this one is for you."

Youn Yuh-jung fangirls Brad Pitt

Youn Yuh-jung has become a runaway hit this awards season, thanks to her witty comments as she has accepted numerous awards for her supporting role in Korean-language film Minari.

Not only has she made history by becoming the first South Korean actress to win at the Baftas, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and now the Oscars, but she’s also won a legion of fans.

And that included some of her A-list peers on Sunday evening, after raising more than a few smiles when she accepted her award from Brad Pitt.

"Mr Brad Pitt, finally, nice to meet you!” she exclaimed. "Where were you when we were filming?"

She also made tongue-in-cheek comments about the number of times people in the US and Europe had got her name wrong over the course of the awards season. However, after taking home the Oscar, she said, "you are all forgiven".

Paying tribute to her fellow nominees, which included the likes of Glenn Close, Olivia Colman and Amanda Seyfried, she said they were all deserving of the win. “Tonight I’m luckier than you,” she joked.

"I'd like to thank my two boys who made me work so hard," she said. "This is the result, because mummy worked so hard."

Halle Berry enjoys her red-carpet moment

It might have been a slim-lined red carpet this year, but there was still plenty of A-list power, thanks in no small part to Halle Berry. The actress is no stranger to the Academy Awards, setting the bar in 2002 as the first (and only) black woman to win the award for Best Actress.

epa09160339 Halle Berry arrives for the 93rd annual Academy Awards ceremony at Union Station in Los Angeles, California, USA, 25 April 2021. The Oscars are presented for outstanding individual or collective efforts in filmmaking in 24 categories. The Oscars happen two months later than originally planned, due to the impact of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on cinema. EPA/Chris Pizzello / POOL *** Local Caption *** 55864152
Halle Berry arrives for the 93rd annual Academy Awards ceremony at Union Station in Los Angeles, California. EPA

And Berry was back this year to present the award for Best Production Design, but not before she basked in the spotlight of the famous red carpet.

Using the moment to debut a new A-line bob, Berry had plenty of fun, fanning out her floaty, mauve Dolce & Gabbana dress for the cameras, creating one of the night’s top fashion moments.

Glenn Close does the ‘Da Butt’

She may have lost out in the Best Supporting Actress category to Youn, but that didn’t dampen Glenn Close’s spirit.

The celebrated actress broke into dance during one of the ceremony's lighter moments, as she took part in event DJ Questlove's previous music winners quiz. Playing Close a segment of funk group Experience Unlimited's Da Butt, the DJ asked her if it had ever been nominated for an Academy Award.

Shocking everyone with her knowledge, Close revealed herself to be a fan of the song, which she correctly identified was not nominated for its appearance in Spike Lee's School Daze. She was then asked if she knew the dance to the song, prompting her to stand up and perform it for the very excited room.

Naturally, social media went wild.

“Glenn Close shaking her wagon on national TV ... get that woman her Oscar,” one viewer wrote.

"Glenn Close just won her first Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film," another said.

Frances McDormand howls like a wolf

Nomadland continued its awards season sweep, taking home the big award of the night, Best Picture. Director Chloe Zhao accepted the award alongside members of the cast and crew, including the film's star Frances McDormand, who followed Zhao's speech with one of her own.

Taking the moment to encourage audiences to return to cinemas, she said: “Please, watch our movie on the largest screen possible. And one day, very, very soon, take everyone you know into a theatre, shoulder to shoulder. In that dark space and watch every film that is represented here tonight. We give this one to our wolf."

She then proceeded to howl like a wolf, much to the joy of many on social media.

“Howl like the wolf you are Frances McDormand howl!” one user wrote.

“OK, but if you had asked me which Oscar winner was most likely to howl like a wolf while accepting an award, Frances McDormand would absolutely be my number one pick,” wrote another.

‘Crip Camp’ makers bring service dog to the red carpet

The makers of Best Documentary nominee, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, attended the Oscars red carpet alongside service dog Goji LaVant, who drew much attention from attendees and social media users alike.

“I love that Goji is decked out too!” one Twitter user wrote.

“Goji’s red carpet bling,” another added.

There was also praise for the crew's custom red-carpet attire. Co-director Jim LeBrecht, who has spina bifida, turned up wearing a custom Gucci suit.

Read More
Chloe Zhao arrives for the 93rd annual Academy Awards ceremony at Union Station in Los Angeles, California. EPA 
Oscars 2021: 'Minari' star Youn Yuh-jung makes history with Best Supporting Actress win
Oscars 2021: All of the winners at the 93rd Academy Awards

Speaking to Variety ahead of the event, LeBrecht talked of the significance of seeing someone in the disabled community wear custom Gucci.

“I think it’s accepting the fact or really saying very boldly that it’s the person and it’s not what your body looks like,” he said.

"It's who you are and that elegance comes in many, many shapes and forms and sizes and colours and statures and that to really put their sizeable effort into dressing me and wanting me to represent them as a label is just, it almost brings me to tears, because it sends such a clear and positive big loud message."

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