The 2025 Academy Awards started with a surprising twist, with Conan O’Brien making his debut as the host. He managed to surprise everyone, earning praise as one of the greatest Oscar hosts of all time. In this post-Oscar celebration, the night was filled with dramatic moments, surprise wins, and heartfelt reactions, especially in the major categories of Best Actor and Best Actress.

Mikey Madison won Best Actress in a shocking upset, beating out the favored Demi Moore. Mikey’s win was seen as a Cinderella story, as she triumphed over Moore, who is 62 years old, while Mikey is just 25. The movie that earned her the Oscar, Anora, focused on themes of beauty standards and aging in Hollywood. Mikey, who is relatively new to the industry, had previously appeared in Better Things, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Scream. Her role in Anora required her to learn Russian and even pole dance. Despite her smaller body of work, Mikey’s dedication to the craft earned her the award.

On the other hand, Demi Moore, who had a large fan following, was seen by many as the true winner, with fans expressing their disappointment on social media. Still, Demi was gracious in defeat, with a lip reader reporting that she was seen saying “nice” when Mikey’s name was announced. Meanwhile, Demi was comforted by her daughters at Vanity Fair’s afterparty.

Adrien Brody made headlines in the Best Actor category, narrowly beating Timothy Chalamet. Brody’s victory marked a significant moment in his career, but the most notable aspect of the evening was his long acceptance speech, which became the longest in Oscar history, lasting a staggering 5 minutes and 40 seconds. In his speech, Brody thanked his supportive girlfriend and revealed how his children with ex-wife Harvey Weinstein affectionately call him “Popsy.” Brody was also caught off-guard when Halle Berry recreated their Oscar moment from 2003.

Another interesting dynamic was seen with Kieran Culkin, who took home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Kieran, who starred in Succession, won over his co-star Jeremy Strong. Kieran’s win marked another high point in his career, and he shared a humorous moment backstage with Jeremy, acknowledging the competition. Kieran’s family, including his brother Macaulay Culkin, was proud of his achievement.

In the Best Supporting Actress category, Zoe Saldana triumphed over Ariana Grande, who had performed earlier in the night alongside Cynthia Erivo in a Wizard of Oz medley. Zoe expressed her gratitude for the award and shared her appreciation for her family, while Ariana continued to enjoy her newfound fame following her Oscar nomination.

The evening also featured a powerful tribute to music icon Quincy Jones, introduced by The Color Purple co-stars Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah. Jones, who produced the soundtrack for The Wiz, received an emotional tribute for his contributions to music and film.

Other memorable moments included a tribute to Jean Hackman, who passed away recently, as well as the inclusion of other legendary figures in the Oscars’ In Memoriam section. Despite the absence of Michelle Tractenberg, who passed just days before the ceremony, the Oscars paid tribute to the many stars lost in the past year.

Overall, the Oscars were full of surprises, heartfelt speeches, and memorable performances, making for an unforgettable night of celebration in Hollywood.