Our Top 5 Oscars 2022 Highlights...No Slaps in Sight!

I've always been a massive fan of American "awards season". The glitz, the glamour, the drama, witnessing people's dreams coming true right before your eyes! I love it all!

The Academy Awards were back with a vengeance this year (in more ways than one unfortunately!) and, whilst one particular incident has dominated the media coverage, I wanted to shine a spotlight on some of my favourite positive highlights of the event...and there were so many!

1. Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall and Amy Schumer 

I wasn't sure about how this trio would work at first (joint hosting hasn't been a huge success in the past) but, whilst there were some cringey moments (Regina patting down Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa anyone?!), their monologues and punch lines were witty, funny and provided some actual laugh out loud moments which has been a rarity in recent years. 

2. Classic Movie Cast Reunions

I loved how the Academy paid homage to some classic movie anniversaries by reuniting their main casts on stage. Some of my fave reunions included Uma Thurman and John Travolta dancing around Samuel L. Jackson for Pulp Fiction, Wesley Snipes and Rosie Perez confirming that Woody Harrelson still can't jump, the legendary trio of Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Francis Ford Coppola commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Godfather and Jennifer Garner sparkling alongside Juno co-stars Elliot Page and J.K. Simmons. 

3. Breaking Long Overdue Records...We Still Have a Way to Go Though...

Whilst women were still in the vast minority for nominations and awards won, a record was made at this year's Oscars with Jane Campion winning the Best Director award. This represents only the third time in history that a woman took out the prestigious title and the first time a woman has been nominated twice for Best Director. 

I especially loved her Maori welcome and greeting to her home town of New Zealand and Australia. 

4. The Performances

What is an Oscars night without breathtaking performances and this year certainly didn't disappoint!

The extravaganza opened with Beyonce performing her Oscar nominated song, Be Alive, from the Oscar nominated movie King Richard. Complete with an orchestra, back-up singers (who NAILED the harmonies) and phenomenal dancers all donning bright yellow, they certainly brought their A-game to the very same tennis court in Compton where Venus and Serena Williams trained with their father when they were children!

Performances also included the cast of Encanto, who brought some of the movies colourful flavour to the Dolby Theatre when they performed the Oscar nominated, We Don't Talk About Bruno. Side note: I wonder if all the parents in the audience thought they'd gotten away with a night of no Encanto having left their children at home! 

The iconic Reba McEntire performed a beautiful rendition of her Oscar nominated song Somehow You Do from Four Good Days and the winners of the Best Music (Original Song) award, Billie Eilish and Finneas were pure magic as they performed their haunting title-song from No Time to Die.

5. The Fashion...Of Course...

It seemed to be quite a unique year in terms of trends on the red carpet. The colour du jour seemed to be red, but there was an air of old-Hollywood glamour with a splash of individuality this year. 

Best-dressed in our books was Penelope Cruz in Chanel, it was classic, stylish...and had pockets! We've included a few other notable looks below for good measure though!