Earlier rounds of winners in this year’s awards were announced earlier this week. Those included Ava DuVernay for Outstanding Director, “The Color Purple” for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture, “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” for Outstanding Animated Series and Michelle Buteau for Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television).

This year’s awards ceremony was hosted at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Presenters included Jeffrey Wright, Kerry Washington, Donnie Wahlberg, Idris Elba, Sterling K. Brown, Leslie Jones, Taraji P. Henson, Morris Chestnut and Kenya Barris. The show also featured a performance by actress and singer Andra Day.

The Image Awards were established in 1967 to honor Black actors, authors, writers, directors, producers and actresses. Only members of the NAACP are allowed to vote.

The full list of winners announced as part of the live show is below:

• Entertainer of the Year
  Usher
• Outstanding Motion Picture
  “The Color Purple”
• Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
  Fantasia Barrino, “The Color Purple”
• Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
  Colman Domingo, “Rustin”
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
  Taraji P. Henson, “The Color Purple”
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
  Colman Domingo, “The Color Purple”
• Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
  India Amarteifio, “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”
• Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
  Damson Idris, “Snowfall”
• Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
  Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
• Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
  Mike Epps, “The Upshaws”

The post ‘The Color Purple’ Takes Top NAACP Image Awards at 2024 Ceremony appeared first on TheWrap.

This year, the awards show features 90 categories, with some winners being revealed as early as Monday, March 11. So far, Ava DuVernay won Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture for “Origin,” Cord Jefferson won Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture for “American Fiction” and “The Jennifer Hudson Show” won for Outstanding Talk Series, to name a few.

The red carpet show, which is powered by the Black-owned social media app Spill, kicks off at 7 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 16. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the 55th NAACP Image Awards live.

When are the 55th NAACP Image Awards?

The 55th NAACP Image Awards will premiere live on Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. EST/PST on BET and CBS and will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Will the 55th NAACP Image Awards be streaming?

Yes, the 55th NAACP Image Awards will be streaming live on CBS and will be available to Paramount+ subscribers.

The 55th NAACP Image Awards can also be watched on BET, CBS, BET Her, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Paramount, Smithsonian Channel and TV Land.

Who will be hosting 55th NAACP Image Awards?

Queen Latifah will be returning for her second consecutive year as host of the NAACP Image Awards.

Who are some of the presenters at the 55th NAACP Image Awards?

Presenters for the 55th NAACP Image Awards include Jeffrey Wright, Kerry Washington, Donnie Wahlberg, Idris Elba, Sterling K. Brown, Leslie Jones, Taraji P. Henson, Morris Chestnut, Kenya Barris and more.

Who will be performing at the 55th NAACP Image Awards?

Singer and actress Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) will be the only performer at the 55th NAACP Image Awards live show.

Who will be receiving special honors at the 55th NAACP Image Awards?

R&B group New Edition will be inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame, Frankie Beverly will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, Amanda Gorman will receive the Chairman Award and Usher will receive the President’s Award.

When does the red carpet show start for the 55th NAACP Image Awards?

The 55th NAACP Image Awards red carpet live show starts at 7 p.m. EST and will be hosted Terrence J, Naturi Naughton and Novi Brown.

The post Where to Watch the 55th NAACP Image Awards: Are They Streaming? appeared first on TheWrap.

“Thirty-five years ago, my brother, Jeffrey Lee, passed away when he was just 29 years old from AIDS. Growing up at the time we did, in the community we did, we didn’t have the language to understand or speak about sexuality and gender in the way we do now,” Winfrey said. “And at the time, I didn’t know how deeply my brother internalized the shame that he felt about being gay. I wish he could have lived to witness these liberated times and to be here with me tonight.

“What I know for sure is that when we can see one another, when we are open to supporting the truth of a fellow human, it makes for a full, rich, vibrant life for us all,” she continued. “And that’s what I wish my brother Jeffrey could have experienced: a world that could see him for who he was and appreciate him for what he brought to this world. I am proud to receive this honor. Thank you GLAAD.”

TheWrap caught the entertainment icon backstage moments after her win for exclusive standalone portraits along with GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, who also gave one of the highlight speeches of the night.

Elsewhere, pop star and actress Reneé Rapp (a winner for Outstanding Music Artist), history-making “Pose” Emmy nominee Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Matt Bomer, Sherry Cola, JoJo Siwa, Allison Williams and many more stars swung by TheWrap’s exclusive portrait studio for quick photo sessions with creative director Jeff Vespa, posing for stunning shots among the stars.

Honoring 16 of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ entertainment — and featuring show-stopping musical performances by Oscar nominee Kate Hudson and Grammy-nominated R&B singer Chloe — the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards also presented Niecy Nash-Betts with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, with an assist from Sharon Stone. The event was hosted by the newly out-and-proud Wayne Brady with charming aplomb and was followed by an afterparty featuring speciality cocktails from sponsors Hornitos tequila and Ketel One vodka.

The awards will stream on Hulu beginning March 29. Remaining winners for the 33 total categories will be announced at the organization’s New York ceremony on May 11.

Catch TheWrap’s exclusive photo gallery below.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey & Sarah Kate Ellis

Oprah Winfrey

Reneé Rapp

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Sherry Cola

Matt Bomer

JoJo Siwa

Allison Williams

Allison Williams & Alexander Dreymon

Alexander Dreymon

Matt Bomer, Allison Williams & Jelani Alladin

Jelani Alladin

Jasmin Savoy Brown

Liv Hewson

Liv Hewson & Jasmin Savoy Brown

Chyler Leigh

Trace Lysette

Shangela

Samantha Lux & Frankie James Grande

Salina EsTitties, Luxx Noir London & Mistress Isabelle Brooks

Salina EsTitties

Mistress Isabelle Brooks

Luxx Noir London

Michelle Visage

Dylan Mulvaney

Priyanka

Meredith Marks

Mayan Lopez

Jodi Balfour

ALOK

Chrishell Stause

G Flip

Christine Chiu

Cristóbal Fernández

David Archuleta

UMI

Alexandra Vittz

Fedro

Ashlee Marie Preston

Constance Marie

Fancy Hagood

Vincent Rodriguez III

Tarek Ali

Ruby Bella Cruz

Ronen Rubinstein

Paloma Garcia-Lee

Omar Sharif Jr.

James Charles

Jade LeMac

Isis King

Gloria Calderón Kellett

The post Oprah, Reneé Rapp, Matt Bomer and More Join TheWrap’s GLAAD Media Awards Portrait Studio | Exclusive Photos appeared first on TheWrap.

The “Big Bang Theory” star and former “Jeopardy!” host said she has “opinions about a lot of things that went down at the Oscars,” but the one she was willing to share is that “every single human being” should have been calling for the hostages’ release by terrorist group Hamas.

Mark Ruffalo, Billie Eilish and Ava DuVernay, meanwhile, were among the talent on Sunday’s red carpet wearing a red pin calling for an Israel-Hamas cease-fire, a move that came after more than 400 entertainers signed Artists4Ceasefire’s open letter to President Joe Biden similarly calling for the administration to “honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza and the safe release of hostages.”

The actress also shared that her opinions included thoughts on not just the red carpet but events that took place on stage. “Zone of Interest” director Jonathan Glazer has notably faced significant pushback for his comments as he accepted the film’s Oscar in which he stated that he and others on stage refuted their “Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.” That includes public disagreement from one of the film’s executive producers, Danny Cohen.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by mayim bialik (@missmayim)

Bialik’s post read in full, “Of course I have opinions about a lot of things that went down at the Oscars both on the red carpet and on the stage, but here’s what I’m going to say: I sure wish every single human being at the Oscars would have worn a yellow ribbon to show support for Hamas immediately returning the hostages who have been held since they were seized from their homes on October 7 — including American citizens. The cease-fire offer on the table demands the return of captive women, elderly and the injured. It has been rejected by Hamas.”

The actress captioned the post with the hashtag #BringThemHome.

Bialik’s public call-out of artists who were not visibly and publicly calling for the release of hostages at the Oscars came after months of the entertainer being quite vocal on social media following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, targeting antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments.

In one such instance, she recorded herself emotionally reciting the final text messages of Israeli victims during the Hamas attacks. She’s faced criticism for some of her responses, including for one where she recorded herself laughing at comedian Dan Ahdoot’s routine about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Two months after the attack, Bialik was fired as the rotating host of “Jeopardy!” alongside Ken Jennings.

“Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of ‘Jeopardy!’” she wrote in the Dec. 15 announcement. “I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the ‘Jeopardy!’ family.”

An individual with knowledge told TheWrap at the time that while Sony did not provide a specific reason for Bialik’s firing, the timing of the decision points to her social media activity being a contributing factor given that she was still under contract to host the show.

A second individual with knowledge of the decision said Bialik’s social media content had “absolutely” nothing to do with her exit.

The post Mayim Bialik Is Disappointed Oscars Attendees Did Not Wear Ribbon Demanding the Return of Israeli Hostages appeared first on TheWrap.

“We’re in a room of very influential people, very privileged people, which is exciting and also a huge privilege to be a part of,” Rapp said during her acceptance speech for the Award for Outstanding Music Artist. “Having said that, I’d like to take the opportunity to show support and call for an immediate cease-fire and permanent cease-fire in Gaza.”

Rapp read the speech off of her phone onstage at the Beverly Hilton. She won the award for her debut album “Snow Angel,” which came out in August 2023.

“Please continue to advocate for yourselves, continue to advocate for your friends, for your queer friends, and for those who can’t advocate for themselves,” the “Mean Girls” star added.

In addition to Rapp, “Ted Lasso,” “Yellowjackets,” David Archuleta and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” also took home major awards Thursday.

Rapp began her acceptance speech by talking about how she embraced her identity as queer, and more recently, lesbian. She also called the experience of living authentically both scary and rewarding, as well as validating and exciting.

Hosted by Wayne Brady, the Los Angeles ceremony honored Niecy Nash-Betts with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for an out LGBTQ person who raises visibility for the community, and Oprah Winfrey, who received the Vanguard Award for championing allyship.

Other guests in attendance and on the carpet included Jason Sudeikis, Sydney Sweeney, Chrishell Stause, Shonda Rhimes, Jonathan Bailey, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Alexandra Shipp, Melanie Lynskey and more of the cast of “Yellowjackets.” Chlöe and Kate Hudson performed.

A New York ceremony will take place May 11 as part of the dual celebration. The full Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards ceremony will air on Hulu on March 29.

The post Reneé Rapp Calls for ‘Immediate’ Cease-Fire in Gaza at GLAAD Media Awards | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

It’s the first of two dual ceremonies — the second happens May 11 in New York City — but we’ll go out on a limb and say it’s the best one because it’s first, and in Los Angeles (just kidding). And prior to the awards actually being handed out, the stars were out in force with some absolutely iconic looks for the Red Carpet.

Among them were Sydney Sweeney, Wayne Brady, Chlöe, Jason Sudeikis, Niecy Nash, and that’s barely a sample. Read on and see some of the best outfits and fiercest attitudes from the GLAAD Media Awards 2024.

Sydney Sweeney

Wayne Brady

Niecy Nash

Jason Sudeikis

Tony Lee

Ryan Mitchell

Jay Valle

Joshua Specks

Francesca Amiker

Daus Mendoza

Carmen Carrera

Ashlee Marie Preston

Chrishell Stause

Jade LeMac

Mayan Lopez

Shangela

Tarek Ali

Lushious Massacr

Fancy Hagood

Chyler Leigh

Chlöe

Luxx Noir London

Mistress Isabelle Brooks

Salina EsTitties

Dylan Mulvaney

Daniel Franzese

G Flip

Billie Joe Armstrong

Jennifer Tilly

Jelani Alladin

Dewayne Perkins

Cristo Fernández

Alexandra Shipp

Dr. Shanell L. McGoy

Fernando Carsa

Robbie Rogers

Sophie Thatcher

Constance Marie

Tory Devon Smith

Frankie Grande

Chilli Pepper

Christine Chiu

SNOW WIFE

UMI

JoJo Siwa

John Ortiz and Clemente Ortiz

Trace Lysette

James Charles

Jessica Betts

Shonda Rhimes

Courtney Eaton

Paloma Garcia-Lee

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michelle Visage

Jesseca Dupart

Elisa Donovan

Mark Hoying and Scott

The post GLAAD Media Awards Red Carpet 2024: Sydney Sweeney, Jason Sudeikis, Chlöe and More | Photos appeared first on TheWrap.

On Thursday, TV personality and comedian Wayne Brady hosted the awards show for LGBTQ-friendly media, complete with performances from Chlöe and Kate Hudson debuting their songs “FYS” and “Talk About Love,” respectively.

Talk show icon Oprah Winfrey received the Vanguard Award, while Emmy-winning actress Niecy Nash-Betts was honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for her work toward eliminating homophobia.

As far as the other winners go, the list included “Ted Lasso,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Bottoms,” “Yellowjackets” and many more. Singer-songwriter Reneé Rapp was given the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist, presented by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong.

Check out the full list of 2024 winners and presenters, below.

• “Fellow Travelers” received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, presented by Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
• “Ted Lasso” received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, presented by Alexandra Shipp and Sydney Sweeney
• “Monica” received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release, presented by Scott Evans
• “RuPaul’s Drag Race” received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, presented by Meredith Marks and Heather DuBrow
• “Yellowjackets” received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series, presented by Chrishell Stause and G Flip
• Reneé Rapp received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist, presented by Billie Joe Armstrong
• Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist: David Archuleta (Archie Music)
• Outstanding Film — Wide Theatrical Release: “Bottoms” (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
• Outstanding Children’s Programming: “Ada Twist: Scientist” (Netflix)
• Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Animated: “Hailey’s On It!” (Disney Channel)
• Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: Out
• Outstanding Video Game: Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
• Outstanding Comic Book: “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (Marvel Comics)
• Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology: Four Color Heroes (Fanbase Press)
• Spanish Language – Outstanding Scriptd Television Series: “La Noches De Tefia” (Atresplayer)
• Spanish Language – Outstanding TV Journalism: “Adolescentes trans relatan su experiencia” Noticiero Telemundo (Telemundo)

Recipients of Special Recognition awards were “The Dads” (Netflix), “Love in Gravity,” “Relighting Candles” (Hulu), “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” (AMC Theaters), “The Tennessee Holler,” “Yes I Am: The Ric Weiland Story,” “Drag Latina” (Revry/LATV), “Enamorándonos” (UniMás), “El Sabor de la Navidad” and “Wendy Perdida Pero Famosa” (Vix).

The GLAAD Media Awards were executive produced by GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, alongside Rich Ferraro and Anthony Allen Ramos. GLAAD’s Toni Morrison served as supervising producer and Jose Useche was a producer. Wendy Shanker was the event’s head writer. The Los Angeles ceremony was produced in partnership with STAMP Event Co.

The New York ceremony announcing the rest of this year’s winners will take place on May 11.

The post ‘Ted Lasso,’ ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ ‘Bottoms’ and More Win at 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards appeared first on TheWrap.

But we hear the world’s most famous couple, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, blew in for Madonna’s A-list Coldwater Canyon extravaganza, joining winners, nominees and other famous faces hanging out into the wee hours. Here are more of our favorite parties where photos (and press) are allowed.

The Governors Ball at the 96th Annual Academy Awards

Dolby Theatre, Hollywood

The first stop after Best Picture is awarded is always the Governors Ball, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All the winners turn up to get their statues engraved; this year, that meant the “Oppenheimer” freight train rolled into its last stop of the 2023 movie awards season. 

First-time winners included the film’s Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Cillian Murphy and Jennifer Lame, as “Oppenheimer” took home seven trophies. Emma Stone’s onstage Louis Vuitton dress emergency was repaired by the time the Best Actress winner arrived; and Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Best Supporting Actress trophy complemented her Louis Vuitton gown nicely, as both women ultimately found good luck with that couture brand.

Everyone fueled up with Wolfgang Puck’s sublime bites, including paella, pasta and his signature pizzas, then it was off to make the rounds, as viewing soirées across the City of Angels turned into after parties – that started at the very early hour of 8 p.m., due to the early start of this year’s show.

Elton John AIDS Foundation 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party

West Hollywood Park, West Hollywood

Elton John is standing better than he ever did after pulling out all the stops at his 32nd annual Academy Awards viewing party with cohosts David Furnish, Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka and Tiffany Haddish, together raising a record $10.8 million for his namesake AIDS research foundation to “end AIDS for all.” 

TheWrap was in the midst of the scene for the flashy fête and auctions’ after party, held in an impressively constructed event space and featuring bite-sized desserts, two bustling open bars and a show-stopping, soulful performance from Gabriels in the main banquet hall, which capped with a surprise appearance from John himself singing 1978’s little-known “Are You Ready for Love.”

Guests like pop stars Kesha and Avril Lavigne were seen embracing outside the dining room with Kyle Richards along for the ride, then that trio made their way to the dance hall under a massive, mirrored disco ball as Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” played overhead. We spotted Billy Eichner winding through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd to the bar featuring cocktails from Tequila Don Julio, a brand bent on sponsoring every single Oscar party. Taylor Swift-approved rock trio Muna, meanwhile, held court in the back corner while eager partiers waited for their Hollywood moment in the event’s speakeasy-themed photo booth. 

Other familiar partygoers ran the gamut of music industry royalty (Toni Braxton, Brandi Carlile, Smokey Robinson and Elton John’s longtime collaborator, lyricist Bernie Taupin), screen-acting favorites (Danny DeVito, Sharon Stone, Patricia Arquette) and many more. – Benjamin Lindsay

2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills

Vanity Fair’s Oscar party always causes a crazy traffic jam in Beverly Hills, as winners, former winners, ever-hopefuls, ingenues and anyone else who can score the hot ticket gather at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for the massive indoor-outdoor celebration. It’s a bit surreal to see the world’s most beautiful people standing patiently in line to pose on the massive red carpet, but fun to see which women did a Houdini-like quick change into a whole new ensemble, makeup look and hairstyle.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph switched up her look, with hair piled high and a form-fitting Valdrin Sahiti strapless black gown and black lipstick to match, while Rita Moreno, the nonagenarian EGOT winner (having earned the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award) in the crowd, stuck with her ruffled black Badgley Mischka look from the show. John Legend, another member of the EGOT club (there have only been 19 people who have ever achieved that milestone), went with a traditional black tuxedo with his gorgeous wife Chrissy Teigen on his arm.

Previous Oscar winners Jennifer Lawrence and Matthew McConaughey had a happy moment on the VF carpet, too, helping to celebrate 30 years of this iconic event, along with the countless others who made sure to make the legendary party. See a full gallery of arrivals here and then for fun, compare to what they wore to the Academy Awards show here.

DirecTV Streaming With the Stars Oscar Viewing Party

Spago Restaurant, Beverly Hills

DirecTV started a new Oscar-night tradition this year by hosting their first annual Streaming With the Stars Oscar Viewing party. They started out with a bang, combining a perfect place – Wolfgang Puck’s iconic Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills – with a host whose Academy Awards history is legendary.

Rob Lowe was 35 years old in 1989, with a successful film career and a huge fan following. Then Alan Carr, the producer of that year’s Oscar show, had a brainstorm and convinced Lowe to jump into an 11-minute opening musical number, singing and dancing alongside Snow White and a multitudinous cast of other characters. And the rest is history, as that has long been considered the biggest fiasco in the history of the Academy Awards.

“I flash back on it every year, every Oscar Sunday,” he told TheWrap with a hearty laugh. “It’s impossible to forget. And I was probably the only one who gave Will Smith a standing ovation when he smacked the shit out of Chris Rock, because instantly I wasn’t the biggest fiasco of the Oscars any more!”

Lowe, who’s been known to be the DirecTV spokesman in the past (along with his doppelgänger “super creepy Rob Lowe”) brought his son to the bash, joining a gaggle of “Real Housewives” from various cities including Erika Jayne, Guerdy Abraria, Lesa Milan and Kelly Bensamon, and other familiar faces like Paula Abdul and Audrina Patridge. From caviar by Meredith Marks to Champagne by Dom Perignon and Spago’s luscious bites – plus popcorn and candy, too – DirecTV’s first venture into Oscar celebrations was a culinary winner.

Women in Film

Catch Steak Restaurant, Los Angeles

Women in Film threw its 17th Oscar Nominees Party ahead of the 96th Annual Academy Awards, with a celebration held at Catch Steak Los Angeles, honoring the 75 Oscar nominations garnered by women in front of and behind the camera. 

Sponsored by Johnnie Walker, the bash offered themed drinks like “77 Pear-fect Nominees,” as well as sublime appetizers to soak up all that scotch, before all of the nominated women on hand gathered onstage to introduce themselves and announce their nominations.

WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer pointed out that only three women in history have won the Oscar for Best Directing, yet still only one — which wasn’t Greta Gerwig for “Barbie,” the billion-dollar-plus blockbuster — was nominated this year. That was Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall.”

“We’re rooting for you, Justine!” Schaffer proclaimed.

“I don’t know why they gave me a mic, but I’m Danielle Brooks,” “The Color Purple” star and Best Supporting Actress nominee Danielle Brooks said with a laugh. Other Hollywood women (and men, too) who filled the party to capacity included Celine Song, Eva Longoria, Gloria Calderón Kellett, Anna Sophia Robb, Mayan Lopez, Sherry Cola, Dylan Mulvaney, Diane Warren, Cara Jade Myers, Jeffrey Wright and many more.

“There’s so many women nominated this year that we can’t fit them all on the stage!” Schaffer exclaimed. – Dessi Gomez

The 18th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards

Bad Robot Studio, Santa Monica

Every year during the lead-in to Oscar Sunday, the Irish, Irish-Americans and the people who love them gather in Los Angeles to rejoice in the unique creativity that emanates from the Emerald Isle. It’s also a celebration of the longstanding U.S.-Ireland Alliance created by the org’s president, Trina Vargo, to encourage Hollywood’s decision-makers to bring film and TV production to Ireland.

“Oppenheimer” Best Actor Oscar winner Cillian Murphy popped by, as did other Irish-born 2024 nominees including Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, whose “Poor Things” was nominated for Best Picture. But all eyes were on the three honorees – Richie Baneham, Pierce Brosnan and Molly Shannon – and their famous friends, as guests packed in a bit too close on the top floor of Bad Robot, J.J. Abrams’ studio in Santa Monica, shivering in the cold.

Three-time Oscar winner James Cameron began the ceremonies with a laugh, saying, “This is the Oscar Wilde Award, which is probably the closest I’m going to get to an Oscar after my whole ‘king of the world’ thing!” The Canadian (and Scottish) auteur was there to award Baneham with the Oscar Wilde, honoring the Irishman who has supervised animation and VFX on Cameron’s “Avatar” films since 2005.

Roma Downey then took the mic to wax ecstatic over Brosnan, the night’s second awardee; both remembered their childhoods in Ireland and the lure of Hollywood that brought them both to living permanently in L.A.

“I have been an actor all my life,” Brosnan mused, “a working actor is what I am. And I wish all the young men and women here tonight who have dreams of creating a career, I wish them every success.”

With pints of Guinness and drams of Writers Tears Whiskey to warm them up, the party rollicked on, as Maura Tierney, Donal Logue, Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater, Miss Universe Ireland Fionnghuala O’Reilly and many other of Ireland’s finest enjoyed their special night out on the town.

GBK Brand Bar’s 15th Annual Oscar Luxury Lounge

Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills

There were lots of luxury gifting suites all over town on the days leading up to Oscar Sunday, from WOW to Ignite: A Fire Gifting Lounge to Ecoluxe to Babor’s Oscar Retreat up in the hills and DPA’s soirée at Anahit Ghazaryan’s Beverly Hills atelier, but the only one to draw big guns like EGOT winner Viola Davis and Emmy and Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris was the GBK Brand Bar, celebrating its 15th year as grandaddy of them all.

It’s no wonder the Hollywood stars and Oscar nominees turn up at GBK. This year’s celebration gifted over $100,000 worth of luxury goods, with travel packages leading the way. Who doesn’t want to go to Uganda to see the gorillas with Lush African Safari, head off to Greece to enjoy Andronis Arcadia and Gundari resorts or escape to Turks and Caicos to discover Sailrock Resort’s beautiful luxury beachfront villas? 

And, as Cheech Marin, Ricki Lake, Storm Reid, Cedric the Entertainer, Christopher McDonald and a host of 2024 Oscar nominees including Nazrin Choudhury, Tal Kantor, Amrit Gicelter and Misan Harriman discovered, there were Ike’s Love and Sandwiches and California Caviar to nosh on, paired with Fog Crest Wines and DeBrand Fine Chocolates – plus many more gifts to enjoy, too.

And there were puppies as part of the charity initiative always present at GBK lounges, which raised over $80,000 benefiting Angel City Pit Bulls, Paws for Life K9 Rescue, Food on Foot and The Collective Identity Mentoring.

Saint Laurent x Vanity Fair x NBCUniversal “Oppenheimer” Party / Giorgio Armani Oscar Party Honoring Martin Scorsese

YSL at a Private Residence/Giorgio Armani, Beverly Hills

Haute couture has always been at the heart of the Academy Awards experience, and as the years go by, more and more top designers are having ultra-chic, ultra-private soirées that remind the A-listers in town for Oscar weekend that their looks are the top fashion-forward choices. It’s especially true in recent times, as stars have begun to wear one ensemble to the actual Academy Awards show, then do one – or even two – quick changes as they flit from one high-profile after party to another.

This Oscar week brought two of the world’s most famous labels to the scene, as Saint Laurent joined forces with Vanity Fair and NBCUniversal on Friday night to honor “Oppenheimer” with a very posh dinner at an unnamed private residence.

Naturally, members of the “Oppenhomie” gang turned up, with Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. and Josh Hartnett on the scene, along with Channing Tatum and Zöe Kravitz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sharon Stone, Donald Glover, Jon Hamm, and “The Holdovers” newcomer Dominic Sessa. Saint Laurent clad most of the big names, of course!

And then on Saturday evening, it was time for Giorgio Armani’s Oscar Party salute to Martin Scorsese, as Roberta Armani invited her A-list friends to the Armani atelier on Rodeo Drive for cocktails and a look at the latest styles. Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” nominees Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro and Cara Jade Myers all wore their Armani finery, as did Nicolas Cage, Willem Dafoe, Sissy Spacek and Jeffrey Wright as they all mixed and mingled.

Please send party/event invites to Jenny.Peters@TheWrap.com.

The post The Party Report: Oscars 2024 Mixes Fashion, Food and Superstars appeared first on TheWrap.

Farhadi, winner of two Academy Awards for foreign language films, was found guilty in 2022 in an Iranian court of plagiarizing the story and faced everything from prison time to fines. The Wednesday ruling was expected put the matter to rest.

“A Hero” centers on a man who finds a bag of gold coins while on a brief leave from debtor’s prison. He resists the temptation to keep the treasure and tries to find its owner — a choice that leads to a cascade of unintended consequences.

The fictional film is based on the same true story as “All Winners and Losers,” a documentary that Azadeh Masihzadeh developed while she was a student of Farhadi’s. The director maintained that he had been researching the tale independently.

Masihzadeh called him out, triggering a defamation lawsuit against which she countersued – and won. According to multiple accounts in Iranian media, the panel examined both filmmakers’ works and several hours of footage from the film workshops she attended before clearing Farhadi, noting that the true story had been widely reported in the news and on social media in Iran.

U.S.-based representatives for Farhadi did not have an immediate comment on Wednesday.

News of the ruling broke in Iranian outlets and was first reported in the West by The Hollywood Reporter.

The post Iran Court Clears ‘A Hero’ Director Asghar Farhadi of Student Plagiarism Allegations Tied to Oscar-Winning Film appeared first on TheWrap.

Whoever runs the X account for Ava DuVernay’s 2023 film “Origin” advanced the conflict with distributor Neon by calling the company out on Monday for not inviting her and other filmmakers on its roster to its Oscar party Sunday night.

“Is it odd that the filmmakers of Neon’s current film in theaters weren’t invited to this Neon celebration? Nope. Standard operating procedure for [Neon CEO founder Tom] Quinn and team. That’s how Neon rolls,” read the tweet.

It was a re-tweet of a post by Tomris Laffly, who shared a photo from Neon’s Oscars party of the Best Original Screenplay statuette won by “Anatomy of a Fall” director Justin Triet Sunday night.

In January, DuVernay told the Associated Press that the marketing for “Origin” was “disappointing,” adding “that’s a mechanism of our distributors’ limited budget and strategy in the way that it’s been rolled out.”

She credited Array, the independent distribution company she founded in 2011, as well as the cast of the film, who helped promote the movie. “When people do see it, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, overwhelmingly connected,” said DuVernay, who made similar comments that the film had “no advertising or promotion outside of theaters” beyond her and Array’s promotional work in an Instagram post last month.

The “Origin” X account has been calling out Neon all awards season: On Feb. 27, they shared a screenshot of a Showbiz 411 article that said Neon “put all its eggs in the ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ basket,” to the detriment of its other contenders.

“Neon Pictures has already snuffed out Ava Duvernay’s ‘Origin’ and Michael Mann’s Ferrari,” columnist Roger Friedman wrote. He also noted that he hadn’t gotten a press release about Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days,” which received an Oscar nomination for Best International Film.

The same account has also re-shared tweets about Neon’s “erratic distribution” and “mishandling” of the 2019 Alfre Woodard-led movie “Clemency,” as well as the 2022 lawsuit filed by “Amazing Grace” producer Alan Elliott, who accused the company of “Hollywood accounting” and “kneecapping” the Aretha Franklin concert film to avoid paying bonuses.

At the time, Neon, “We are extremely proud of the campaign and release we’ve forged for ‘Amazing Grace,'” and dismissed the Elliott’s allegations as “meritless and baseless.”

Neon declined to comment on this story. TheWrap has also reached out to DuVernay.

Variety first reported this story.

The post ‘Origin’ Social Media Account Deleted After Dissing Neon for Not Inviting Ava DuVernay to Oscar Party appeared first on TheWrap.