IT’S Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, full to the brim with the brightest stars in the world.
So it’s no surprise that our best-loved actors have pulled out all the stops for tonight’s Oscars.
The red carpet for the 97th Academy Awards kicked off tonight at the legendary Dolby Theatre with some serious glamor.
Ariana Grande and Elle Fanning led the stars, with the Wicked lead looking ethereal in a structured beige dress while Elle wore a white lace gown.
Ariana's fellow Wicked stars Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater and Cynthia Erivo were among the early arrivals.
Cynthia wore a stunning green gown as a tribute to Hollywood icon Hattie McDaniel.
The musical's co-stars - British star Cynthia and pop star Ariana - are nominated for best actress, and best supporting actress, respectively, for the prequel to The Wizard Of Oz.
Both women performed a tear-jerker medley of songs to open up the awards ceremony.
Netflix musical Emilia Perez leads this year's nominations with 13, but has also hit headlines after social media posts made by star Karla Sofia Gascon made about Islam, the death of George Floyd and diversity at the Oscars resurfaced following the musical's release.
Despite the backlash, Karla showed up to the ceremony and even smiled as host Conan O'Brien cracked a joke about the scandal.
Timothee Chalamet opted for a yellow suit, and girlfriend Kylie Jenner skipped the red carpet but supported him in the audience in a busy black gown.
Doja Cat stunned in a strapless leopard-print number on the red carpet, but Oscars viewers were less than impressed with her James Bond tribute performance.
Julianne Hough oozed Hollywood glamour in a nude draped dress, and Mindy Kaling dazzled in silver.
Felicity Jones also wowed in silver, while Ariana's co-star and boyfriend Ethan Slater put on a dashing display in a black suit.
Sadly, red carpet royalty Zendaya did not attend the show, after her film Challengers was snubbed from all nominations.
On the stage
This year's ceremony takes place following the wildfires which ravaged parts of Los Angeles in January.
The ceremony was hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.
Presenters include British stars Andrew Garfield, and Joe Alwyn, Irish Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, Scarlett Johansson, Emilia Perez actress Gomez, and talk show host Oprah Winfrey.
A representative for Indiana Jones film star Harrison Ford confirmed that he would not be attending the ceremony to present due to having the infectious and painful rash shingles.
Different format
For the first time in 80 years, the Oscars will cut a massive portion of the ceremony.
Fans are outraged as best original song nominees will not be performed, so artists like Selena Gomez and Elton John won't take the stage.
In January, Bill Kramer and Janet Yang, the CEO and president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said they wanted to focus more on songwriters this year.
"We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life," they said.
"All of this, and more, will uncover the stories and inspiration behind this year’s nominees."
Meanwhile, the best picture win is anyone's game, as nominations have been blasted over racism scandals and an artificial intelligence controversy.
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