Oscars 2024: Jimmy Kimmel roasts Robert Downey Jr., other highlights

FROM LEFT: Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., John Cena, and Jimmy Kimmel (Photos from AFP)

From a wardrobe malfunction to a birthday suit, Oscars 2024 never ran out of surprises and Easter eggs for viewers, as the awards ceremony produced awe-inspiring performances from celebrities.

The Christopher Nolan-helmed film “Oppenheimer” dominated Hollywood’s biggest night and earned applause during the 96th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California on March 10 (March 11 in the Philippines), with Best Actor winner Cillian Murphy dedicating his award to the “peacemakers everywhere.”

However, some key highlights of the of the 96th Academy Awards will certainly make the awards night memorable.

Here are some of the most notable events:

Jimmy Kimmel celebrates strike victories

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue included the usual jabs at the Hollywood elite with a reference to best supporting actor nominee Robert Downey Jr.’s history of drug abuse and joking that “Barbie” co-stars Margot Robbie, who was snubbed for a best actress nomination, and Ryan Gosling, who is nominated for best supporting actor, had already won “the genetic lottery.”

He also celebrated the end of a difficult year in Hollywood, where strikes by actors and writers halted production of movies and television for months.

Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the Oscars on March 12, 2023 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Kimmel will host the Oscars 2024 on Mar. 10 (Mar. 11, Philippine time). Image: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

“Actors no longer have to worry about getting replaced by AI thanks to this historic agreement. Actors are now able to go back to worrying about being replaced by younger, more attractive people …

“This long and difficult work stoppage taught us that this very strange town of ours, as pretentious and superficial as it can be, at its heart is a union town. It’s not just a bunch of heavily botoxed, Hailey Bieber smoothie-drinking, diabetes prescription-abusing, gluten-sensitive nepo babies with perpetually shivering Chihuahuas. This is a coalition of strong, hard-working, mentally tough laborers, women and men who would 100% sure die if we even had to touch the handle of a shovel.”

Protesters on and off the carpet

As stars began arriving to walk the red carpet, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters angered by the Israel-Gaza conflict shouted and slowed traffic in the blocks surrounding the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

“While you’re watching, bombs are dropping,” one sign read.

On the red carpet, Oscar nominees, including Billie Eilish and Mark Ronson, wore red lapel pins calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Actor Mark Ruffalo praised the protesters as he entered the theater and raised a clenched fist. “We need peace,” he said.

First-time Oscar winners Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. 

“Oppenheimer” star Cillian Murphy savored his first ever Oscar win and nomination  for Best Actor as he appeared to be in shock upon being called to receive his gold statuette. Putting his hand over his mouth, the Irish actor paused before giving his speech.

Cillian Murphy wins Best Actor for his role in #Oppenheimer at the 2024 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/UmRAiLO9Qg

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 11, 2024

“I’m a little overwhelmed. Thank you to the Academy,” he said. “I’m a very proud Irish man standing here tonight. We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or worse we’re living in Oppenheimer’s world, so I’d really to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.”

Downey, meanwhile, threw peace signs in the air after clinching his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a film, a well-deserved recognition after several years of being considered for the best actor award.

“I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy, in that order,” he said which drew laughter. “I’d like to thank my veterinarian, I meant wife, Susan Downey over there. She found me, a snarling rescue pet, and loved me back to life. That’s why I am here.”

#Oppenheimer star Robert Downey Jr. wins the award for best actor in a supporting role at the 2024 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/J8z5GBEPSp

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 11, 2024

The 2023 movie also bagged Best Picture and Best Director, among many other awards.

Ryan Gosling, Billie Eilish as scene-stealers

Clad in his hot pink suit, Ryan Gosling started his “I’m Just Ken” performance by singing behind the film’s lead star Robbie who was already laughing at his antics. He then went on stage — in all “Kenergy” glory — and performed the hit song with his fellow Kens Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir.

Gosling, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, delivered his overwhelming charisma, where among the highlights include him lying down in a pool of Barbie faces.

Ryan Gosling and the cast of “Barbie” perform “I’m Just Ken” at the #Oscars. https://t.co/UNgGySGz3r pic.twitter.com/00hd0Jw8cy

— Variety (@Variety) March 11, 2024

Meanwhile, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell reminded the audience of Barbie’s heart-wrenching journey from doll to human with a performance of “What Was I Made For.” The stage then earned a standing ovation from Robbie and director Greta Gerwig.

The track ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song, weeks after bagging Song of the Year at the Grammys.

Billie Eilish and Finneas performing “What Was I Made For?” at the #Oscars
pic.twitter.com/OKdKL3Ghti

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 10, 2024

Emma Stone’s wardrobe snafu

Before accepting her Oscar for Best Actress for “Poor Things,” Emma Stone suffered a little wardrobe malfunction. As she was walking up the stage to receive her gold statuette, Stone was gesturing towards her back, explaining that the zipper of her strapless mint-green peplum dress from Louis Vuitton came undone.

A seemingly distressed Stone had to show her backside to the women onstage who were previous Oscar best actress awardees who were more than ready to help her hold her golden statuette.

Emma Stone gestures toward her dress as she wins the Oscar for Best Actress for “Poor Things” during the Oscars show at the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Blake

“Oh, my dress is broken. I think it happened during ‘I’m just Ken,’ I’m pretty sure,” she said, referring to Gosling, who had then just performed, before she turned her back and quickly walked off the stage.

Stone and Gosling were together in “La La Land” for which she won her first Best Actress. For this year’s Oscars, Gosling is nominated for Best Actor for “Barbie”.

John Cena drives a point

Professional wrestler and actor John Cena drew laughs after doing a butt-naked spiel — while covering his lower body with the envelope — about the importance of costumes in a movie as he presented the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

John Cena, left, and Jimmy Kimmel speak during the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

This was actually a reenactment of an Oscar event 50 years ago when a man ran across the stage naked flashing a peace sign behind actor David Niven, a legendary piece of Academy Awards history that host Jimmy Kimmel said he wanted to commemorate.

To celebrate the anniversary, Cena walked on stage wearing nothing but the envelope containing the name of the winner of the best costume Oscar.

“Costumes are so important,” Cena deadpanned. “Maybe the most important thing there is.”

John Cena walks onto the #Oscars stage. https://t.co/UNgGySGz3r pic.twitter.com/zPrsl5oiCy

— Variety (@Variety) March 11, 2024

Cena was then given a Greek-inspired robe by the award ceremony’s crew, much to the laughter and cheers from the audience.

John Cena’s quick costume change at the #Oscars

See the full winners list: https://t.co/IctYZ9WO3B pic.twitter.com/euLSjjIth0

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 11, 2024

Vanessa Hudgens is a momma

Many longtime fans of the hit film trilogy “High School Musical” were reminded of their age after Vanessa Hudgens announced that she’s pregnant with her first child with her husband, baseball player Cole Tucker.

Vanessa Hudgens on the Oscars 2024 red carpet. Image: Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP

The actress-singer confirmed she’s going to be a mother by gracing the red carpet in a body-hugging gown that showed off her baby bump.

Messi’s spotlight

Messi, a seven-year-old Border Collie who had a supporting role in Best Picture nominee “Anatomy of a Fall,” had his own seat at the Dolby Theater.

Messi at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/YLQPOivlcn

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 11, 2024

Throughout the ceremony, the handsome pooch caught the attention of the audience, almost to the point of a crew member making him clap his paws. The dog was also a scene-stealer during the promo activities of the French film.

Yoko Ono gets a Mother’s Day shout-out

Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, asked the audience to wish his famous mother a happy Mother’s Day when he took the stage with the winners of the best animated short Oscar for a film he collaborated on, “War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko.”

“My mother turned 91 this February, and today is Mother’s Day in the UK,” Lennon said. “So would everyone please say ‘Happy Mother’s Day, Yoko?'”

The audience obliged.

Ukraine’s first Oscar

“20 Days in Mariupol” director Mstyslav Chernov delivered a powerful speech in accepting his award for best documentary feature, Ukraine’s first-ever Oscar. Chernov’s film documents his time as a video journalist covering the first three weeks of Russia’s siege of the Ukrainian city.

“Probably I will be the first director on this stage that will say I wish I never made this film,” he said. “I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities … but I cannot change history. Cannot change the past.

“But we all together, you, some of the most talented people in the world, we can make sure the history record is set straight and that the truth will prevail and that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories. And memories form history.” — with a report from Reuters