BEST OSCAR MOMENTS 2017

Viola Davis wins ‘Best-Supporting Actress’

Viola Davis became the first African-American woman to achieve the ‘Triple Crown of Acting’ (an Oscar, Emmy and Tony). Davis won “Best Supporting Actress” for her performance in ‘Fences’, alongside Denzel Washington. Davis’ moving speech brought a star-studded audience to tears.

“Thank you to the academy. You know, there’s one place, that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered; one place; and that’s the graveyard. People ask me all the time, ‘What kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola?’ and I say, ‘Exhume those bodies; exhume those stories; the stories of the people who dreamed? Big? And never saw those dreams to fruition? People who fell in love, and lost?’ I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life. So, here’s to August Wilson, who exhumed and exalted the ordinary people. And to Braun Pictures, Paramount, Macro, Todd Black, Molly Allen, Scott Rudin, for being the cheerleaders for a movie that is about people; and words; and life; and forgiveness; and grace. To Michael T. Williamson, Steven McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby… for being the most wonderful artists I’ve ever worked with. And, ‘Oh Captain, My Captain’, Denzel Washington; thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat; August and God; and they served you well. And to Dan and Mary Alice Davis who are the center of my universe; who were and are the center of my universe; the people who taught me good and bad; how to fail; how to love; how to hold an award; how to lose. My parents- I’m so thankful that God chose you to bring me into this world. To my sisters…thank you for the imagination. And for my husband and my daughter; my heart, you and Genesis’ – you teach me every day how to live; how to love; I’m so glad that you are the foundation of my life. Thank you to the Academy, thank you.”

Mahershala Ali Wins ‘Best-Supporting Actor’

Mahershala Ali took to the stage to accept his award for “Best Supporting Actor” in Moonlight, making him the first Muslim actor to ever win an Oscar. His speech was a perfect blend of reflection, emotion and humor,

“My Grandma would want me to ‘button up’ (adjusts tux). Wow. I want to thank my teachers, my professors; I had so many wonderful teachers. One thing that they consistently told me is, ‘It’s not about you; it’s about these characters. You’re a servant; you’re in service to these stories and these characters.’ I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity – cast and crew, it was just such a wonderful experience…It’s just such a wonderful experience and I have so many people to thank who’ve gotten me here. My manager who I’ve been with for 10 years, thank you so much. The rest of the cast, who did wonderful work; any one of them could be up here right now, holding this trophy. It’s such a gift getting to work with you (cast) and be inspired by you and the performances that you all offered up. Thank you to the Academy, I really appreciate this. Lastly, I just want to thank my wife who was in her third trimester during award season; we just had a daughter four days ago. I just want to thank her for being such a soldier through this process, and really carrying me through it all. Thank you, I really appreciate it; peace and blessings.”

Denzel Washington Officiates Spontaneous Wedding

After host, Jimmy Kimmel ushered a group of tourists into the Dolby Theater, a fan revealed that she was getting married, July 18th, to her fiancé, Gary. When asked who her favorite actor was, she pointed to Denzel Washington, ‘That man, right there.’ Washington jumped in to take a selfie with the couple stating, “I now pronounce you husband and wife, kiss the bride.”

Moonlight Wins ‘Best Picture’ & ‘Best Adapted Screenplay’

After the ‘Best Picture’ award mix-up was clarified and the dust had settled, the Moonlight cast took the stage to accept their much-deserved award. The critically acclaimed film also earned Best Adapted Screenplay.