Along with the beautiful dresses and recapping the most memorable films of the year, The Academy Awards also came with a number of memorable speeches this year. The speeches have always been an essential part of Oscar Sunday! Along with the fashion and debating who was the best dressed, the Monday after the Oscars you can bet that people will also be discussing the best and most memorable speech. Jared Leto won the first Oscar of the night and definitely captured the hearts of those who may not have known who he was before. He told the story of his supportive mother who encouraged him every step of the way and his brother who is his best friend, both present in the audience and so excited for him.
Another memorable speech was a moment that made you appreciate that the Oscars are live. The moment I’m referring to is when “20 Feet from Stardom” won Best Documentary feature. Director Morgan Neville came on stage along with Janet Friesen, and singer Darlene Love. After the Director thanked everyone Darlene approached the microphone and began to sing “Eye is on the Sparrow”! Clearly she was so joyous and it was infectious, the audience couldn’t help but give her a standing ovation.
I cannot speak about great speeches of the night without addressing Lupita Nyong’o. There was not a dry eye in the house! Her excitement and her surprise were felt throughout and social media went crazy with support for the new golden girl. She too thanked her wonderful parents and her brother who is her best friend, along with Steve McQueen and her cast mates. But she did not leave the stage without words of encouragement. She stated that no matter where you’re from or what you look like, “Your dreams are valid”. Lupita is now a living example that dreams do come true.
Matthew McConaughey was the favorite to win Best Actor in a Leading Role, and he did just that. He jumped up and headed to the stage but not without giving his wife a lingering kiss! But what really made McConaughey’s speech stand out is that he thanked God. “First off I want to thank God, because that’s who I look up to. He’s graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or any other human hand”. McConaughey was the first to thank God the entire night and it was truly refreshing and did not go unnoticed. So not just the fashion, or who wins, but what they say when they win also matters. In the grand scheme of things the Oscars have so many pieces that deem it successful. I would say this year’s Academy awards had all the right pieces to a successful show. A hilarious host, success stories, and memorablebspeeches, definitely worth watching!
