ROBERT Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez let it go with a victory kiss. STHANLEE MIRADOR
Backstage at the Oscars, we could tell if a winner was also the media folks’ choice. The journalists, who were typically multitasking, listened to the show via headphones and watched the monitors while, more urgently, minding the winners in front of them.
MERYL Streep arrives. Ruben V. Nepales
The announcement of Lupita Nyong’o as Best Supporting Actress winner was met with a loud buzz of approval.
Kristen Anderson-Lopez surprised her husband, Filipino-American Robert Lopez, with a garland made of pasta shells on which were written the letters, “EGOT” which she put around his neck.
By winning an Academy Award Sunday evening, Robert joined a group of only 12 “EGOT” talents who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. At 39, Robert is the youngest to make it to that elite circle.
Kristen said, “The girls (their two young daughters) and I made something for you, Bobby. Just in case this moment happened. We made it last week.” Robert quipped, “Oh, no.” “It’s made of pasta,” she explained. “Thank you,” he said.
POWER couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie work the red carpet. Ruben V. Nepales
Kristen explained their process in writing songs, including “Let It Go” and the other songs they made for “Frozen,” which also won the Best Animated Feature prize: “We both performed all the songs that we wrote. We created demos in our little studio… John (Lasseter, Disney’s chief creative officer) played the demo that had me singing ‘Let It Go’ in his car for months and months.”
Overdrive
Robert joked, “We imagined him getting pulled over by state troopers as he hit the accelerator when the music went into overdrive.”
The Inquirer asked “Frozen” codirector Jennifer Lee (who was dressed to win in a black gown by Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino)—when she, Chris Buck and producer Peter Del Vecho talked to the media backstage—about collaborating with the Lopezes.
“We worked with them via video conference for a few hours a day, every day, for about 14 months and we worked on the script with them as much as we did on the songs,” replied Jennifer, who is the first female director of a feature length Disney animation film. “I mean, they wrote the songs. We went back and forth and ‘Let It Go’ for us was a game changer. When we heard it, we knew that we could do something very special with Elsa and we rewrote the movie. We understood and really felt the emotional power of that song.”
Jennifer’s humorous essay on her adventures dressing up for the red carpet in the hectic awards season ran in the Los Angeles Times on Sunday.
JARED Leto and Bono will stand out anywhere. Can you spot them? Ruben V. Nepales
Just how popular is “Let It Go”? Several journalists sang along with Idina Menzel as she belted the power anthem, drawing raised brows and incredulous stares from the other reporters who were composing their reports, trying to beat their deadlines.
Traffic jam
By now, the whole world knows that presenter John Travolta introduced Idina as Adele Dazeem in what has since become a “Huh?!” moment. The flub spurred a new Twitter account, @AdeleDazeem.
Screen gods make mistakes, it turns out, like ordinary mortals. Speaking of which, by virtue of sheer star density, the red carpet at times felt like a traffic jam, or a hall packed with a crowd of the most recognizable faces in the world.
Occasionally, a form stood out, heads turned and cameras flashed—a reminder that they were, indeed, the opposite of ordinary mortals.
STARS and noncelebs in one packed hall RUBEN V. NEPALES
Model Chrissy Teigen, John Legend’s gorgeous wife, was resplendent in a billowing Monique Lhuillier gown. Pharrell Williams’ tux with custom Lanvin “long shorts” definitely drew attention.
Best-dressed
Bono proved once more that he is one of the most admired, most famous men on the planet. Whenever he is around, everyone—everyone—scrambles for photo ops. When he leaves the room, many leave, too, to follow him and… take more snapshots.
The two Oscar winners this year, Cate Blanchett and Lupita, were among the best dressed on the red carpet—Cate in Armani, Lupita in Prada.
Lady Gaga was surprisingly elegant in a meat-less, body-hugging Versace gown. The pregnant Kerry Washington was positively glowing.
WOLFGANG Puck, official chef for the postprogram Governor’s Ball, and his team bring out Oscars cake and treats. RUBEN V. NEPALES
Bring your mom
It’s a growing trend among Hollywood actors to bring their moms to big events. Jared Leto, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey were among those who brought their mothers to this year’s Oscars.
Jared endeared himself even more to the media by letting the reporters take turns holding his Best Supporting Actor trophy as he fielded questions. The man is a certified rock star, chill and no-fuss.