Kitty Williams | Associate Editor
It’s that time of year. The 89th Academy Awards will celebrate the year in film on February 26th at 7 p.m. in Hollywood’s Dolby Theater. Here are a few things you’ll want to know before tuning in to the ceremony:
1. Jimmy Kimmel is hosting
Host of his own late night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting this year’s Academy Awards. He is no stranger to the award show stage, having recently just hosted the Emmy awards last year.
2. Diversity in the nominees
Last year at around this time, “Oscars so white” was a trending topic. This was a response to the fact that there was a disappointing lack of diversity in the nominees. While the Academy is showing more diversity this year, it has been pointed out that the problem is not with the Academy, but with Hollywood as a whole and its lack of opportunity for diverse roles.
3. La La Land meets a record
This critically acclaimed film starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling has tap danced its way into the hearts of viewers and the Academy. After receiving 14 nominations including Best Picture, Leading Actress, and Leading Actor, La La Land is meeting the current record of nominations held by both All About Eve and Titanic.
4. Actors break records
Viola Davis earned her 3rd nomination for Best Actress for her role in Best Picture nominee Fences, making her the most nominated African American actress. Denzel Washington is now the most nominated African American man for his role in the same film. Meryl Streep also walked away with a record-breaking number of nominations. She broke her own record of 19 nominations when she earned her 20th for her titular role in Florence Foster Jenkins.
6. Streaming entering the game
Amazon isn’t just for ordering textbooks anymore. Amazon Studios was the production company behind Manchester by the Sea, a Best Picture nominee. While series released by streaming services are receiving more and more recognition in award shows, this marks the first time film from a streaming service got a Best Picture nomination.
7. Performances
All Best Original Song nominees will be performed on Oscar night. John Legend will be performing “Audition” and “City of Stars” from La La Land, Justin Timberlake will perform “Can’t Stop the Feeling” from Trolls, Sting will perform “The Empty Chair” from Jim: The James Foley Story, and Lin-Manuel Miranda will perform “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana with Auli’i Cravalho. Miranda is nominated for Best Original Song for this song. If he wins, he will be the youngest EGOT (winner of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). Be sure to watch the ceremony and see if history is made.
