Oscars (L-R top row) Jamie Lee Curtis, winner of the Best Supporting Actress award, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, winner of the Best Actress in a Leading Role award, Jonathan Wang, winner of the Best Picture award, Stephanie Hsu, Daniel Scheinert, winner of the Best Director and Best Picture award and (L-R bottom row) Ke Huy Quan, winner of the Best Actor In A Supporting Role award and Dan Kwan, winner of the Best Director and Best Picture award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once," pose in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
From first-time wins to a haunting performance without the glitz and glamor of the show and smiles and tears, here are five can’t-miss moments from the 2023 Academy Awards.
Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis were all first-time Oscar winners this year for their roles in the big winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Brendan Fraser took home his first Oscar, winning the best actor award for his role in “The Whale.”
Yeoh, 60, was the first Asian woman to win best actress and the first non-white actress to take home the Oscar in 20 years, The Associated Press reported.
“Ladies, don’t let anyone ever tell you you’re past your prime,” Yeoh said.
Yeoh’s 84-year-old mother was watching the awards show in Kuala Lumpur. Yeoh spoke directly to her mother while accepting the Oscar, Insider reported.
“I have to dedicate this to my mom, all the moms in the world, because they are really the superheroes. And without them, none of us will be here tonight,” Yeoh said, according to Insider. “I’m taking this home to her.”
Curtis, 64 — whose parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, both had their own Oscars — won her first Academy Award, taking home the statue for best supporting actress in what the AP called one of the most competitive categories this year. She had faced Angela Bassett, who would have been the first actor in a Marvel movie to take home the honor if she had won.
Fraser, 54, who had several past comedic and action performances in films such as “Encino Man,” “George of the Jungle” and “The Mummy,” was largely forgotten by Hollywood in recent years. It was his casting in “The Whale” and enduring hours in the makeup chair to transform into his 600-lb. role that earned him his first Oscar, beating Austin Butler for best actor.
Quan, who was a child actor who left the industry for years before being cast in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” took home his first Oscar for best supporting actor for the multiverse movie, the AP reported. Quan shared the challenges he faced growing up before embarking on his Hollywood career.
“My mom is 84 years old and she’s at home watching,” Quan, 51, said, according to USA Today. “Mom, I just won an Oscar! My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp. And somehow, I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage. They say stories like these only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me. This — this is the American dream.”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” won best picture, which also brought one of the most memorable moments from the awards show. Harrison Ford, who played Indiana Jones alongside Quan as Wan “Short Round” Li in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” announced the best picture award. As soon as the cast got on the stage, Quan motioned for Ford to join him and the two embraced. Once the show was done, Quan and Ford were seen talking, Entertainment Weekly reported.
Reunion Ke Huy Quan (R) accepts the award for Best Picture for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" from Harrison Ford onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Reunion Ke Huy Quan (R) accepts the award for Best Picture for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" from Harrison Ford onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
This isn’t the first time the two have come back together decades after the second Indiana Jones film. Ford and Quan also reunited at Disney’s D23 Expo last year. Quan said he wasn’t sure if Ford would know who he was, since “the last time he saw me, I was a little kid.” But Ford knew. Quan said as soon as he got close to Ford, “He looks and points at me and says, ‘Are you Short Round?’ Immediately, I was transported back to 1984, when I was a little kid, and I said, ‘Yes, Indy.’ And he said, ‘Come here,’ and gave me a big hug.”
Another A-lister had a front-row seat to see Quan take home the Oscar on Sunday night: Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw. Spielberg directed “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and Capshaw starred in the film alongside Quan and Ford.
Quan told reporters backstage, according to Entertainment Weekly: “I ran up to Steven Spielberg and he gave me a big hug, and he put his arms around me and he said, ‘Ke, you are now an Oscar-winning actor.’ And hearing him say that meant the world to me, and I still cannot believe it. I mean, wow.”
3. Lady Gaga’s performance
Lady Gaga walked the red carpet — which was champagne-colored for the first time since 1961 — in full makeup and a black gown, but when she took the stage to perform “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick,” she had a toned down, more comfortable look, sporting little to no makeup, a black T-shirt and ripped jeans, USA Today reported.
Lady Gaga Lady Gaga attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga Lady Gaga performs onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
“We need a lot of love to walk through this life, and we all need a hero sometimes,” Gaga said before she belted out the song. “There’s heroes all around us, in unassuming places, but you might find that you can be your own hero even if you feel broken inside.”
She wasn’t the only music superstar who took the spotlight before and during the Oscars ceremony.
Rihanna, who is pregnant with her second child, wore a form-fitting leather and maxi skirt ensemble complete with sheer panels and long train on the red carpet, CNN reported. But when she took the stage to sing “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” she changed into a baby-bump-framing outfit designed by John Galliano from fashion house Maison Margiela.
Rihanna Rihanna attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Rihanna Rihanna performs onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
4. In Memorium
John Travolta introduced the segment that honored those in front of and behind the cameras who have died over the past year.
Speaking emotionally and not mentioning his “Grease” co-star, Olivia Newton-John, by name, Travolta said, “They’ve touched our hearts. They’ve made us smile, and became dear friends who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to,” referencing Newton-John’s hit “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” Newton-John died last year at the age of 73 from breast cancer, USA Today reported.
While Newton-John was among those who were included in the 4-minute remembrance, there were several actors who were left out, including Leslie Jordan, Anne Heche, Paul Sorvino and Tom Sizemore, Entertainment Weekly reported.
Estelle Harris, Gilbert Gottfried, John Aniston and Lisa Marie Presley were also not included, as well as Charlbi Dean who was nominated for three awards during Sunday’s broadcast, according to Entertainment Weekly.
5. Hugh Grant red carpet interview
As some actors fawned over each other, Hugh Grant acted as if he didn’t want to be bothered by questions before the show. In an interview conducted by Ashley Graham, Grant seemed annoyed.
Graham first asked the “Bridget Jones’ Diary” star what his favorite thing about the Oscars was.
CNN said he paused, then answered, “It’s fascinating … the whole of humanity is here, it’s vanity fair.”
Then she asked if he was excited by the competition, wondering if he had anyone he wanted to win.
Grant answered, “No one in particular.”
Graham eventually asked the question that all red carpet reporters ask, who was he wearing, to which he responded, “Just my suit.”
She then tried to redirect Grant to his own performance in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” but he responded with, “Well, I’m barely in it. I’m in it for about three seconds.”
Graham tried to pry more out of the actor, saying “Well yeah, but still you showed up and you had fun?” Grant responded with, “Almost,” before Graham ended the exchange, CNN reported.
Some called Grant rude, while others said he was being himself while answering the typical questions that are posed during these events, CNN reported.
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Ke Huy Quan, winner of Best Actor in a Supporting Roll award for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once', Michelle Yeoh, winner of the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once', Brendan Fraser, winner of the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for ’The Whale', and Jamie Lee Curtis, winner of the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ pose in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images) (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Sarah Polley, winner of the Adapted Screenplay award for "Women Talkinh," poses in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Harrison Ford walks onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Paul Rogers, winner of the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" poses in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: John Travolta speaks onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: M.M. Keeravaani and Chandrabose, winners of Best Music (Original Song) award for ’RRR’, pose in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images) (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Elizabeth Banks and Cocaine Bear speak onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Edward Berger, winner of the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film for "All Quiet on the Western Front", poses in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Janelle Monáe and Kate Hudson speak onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Michelle Yeoh, winner of the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ poses in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images) (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Holden Fraser, Brendan Fraser, winner of the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for "The Whale," and Leland Fraser, pose in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Jamie Lee Curtis accepts the Best Picture award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Andie MacDowell and Hugh Grant are seen backstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Jessica Chastain and Halle Berry speak onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Jonathan Wang, winner of the Best Picture award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once," poses in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images ) (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Ross White, James Martin, Tom Berkeley and Seamus O'Hara attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Ruth Carter, winner of Best Costume Design award for ’Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ attends the Governors Ball during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
2023 Academy Awards winners, biggest moments HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Mark Weingarten, James Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor, winners of the Best Sound award for "Top Gun: Maverick," pose in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images ) (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: The 95th Academy Awards ceremony was set for Sunday in Los Angeles. (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Brendan Fraser attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Michelle Yeoh attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Angela Bassett attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
2023 Oscars: Austin Butler attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
2023 Oscars: Vanessa Hudgens attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Jamie Lee Curtis arrives at the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Laverne Cox attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Erin Lim attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Zuri Hall attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Sherry Cola attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Nikki Novak attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Kayla Oaddams/WireImage)
2023 Oscars: Reece Feldman attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: DJ M.O.S., left, and DJ Kiss attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Kaala Bhairava, left, and Rahul Sipligunj attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Andrew Eure and Florencia Martin attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro arrive at the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Fan Bingbing attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Tems attends the 95th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)
2023 Oscars: Stephanie Hsu attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: James Hong arrives at the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Samuel L. Jackson attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Jessica Chastain arrives at the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
2023 Oscars: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)