A Look Back at the 2014 Academy Awards

The culmination of award show season arrived last night with the 86th Academy Awards. Hosted by the always endearing, Ellen DeGeneres, the 2014 Oscars will standout in Academy History.

Unlike years gone by there was a noticeable (though not unwelcome) absence of over-the-top skits and dance numbers we at home have grown so accustomed too. Instead DeGeneres’ opened the ceremony by simply introducing many of the nominees and attendees along with a few well-placed Hollywood jabs and jokes. She told Jared Leto he was the most beautiful, and teased Jennifer Lawrence about her perpetual award show tumbles. DeGeneres was even bold enough to voice what some at home were thinking: “Anything can happen, so many different possibilities. Possibility number one: 12 Years a Slave wins best picture. Possibility number two: You’re all racists.”

The selfie that broke Twitter

Seven years have passed since the comedian last hosted the Oscars, and if Twitter is indicative of a larger picture, DeGeneres was a sight for sore eyes. Perhaps her best moment of the night was her epic celebrity-filled selfie. Meryl Streep, Bradley Cooper, Lupita Nyong’o, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Lawrence were just some of the stars who crammed next to DeGeneres for a photo that went on to break Twitter shortly after. The picture broke retweet records, earning a higher number of Twitter and Facebook shares than even President Obama’s 2012 victory speech. And she did it in only 30 minutes.

While it’s impossible to ignore the lack of female directors nominated – all five nominations were men – last night’s show did make some groundbreaking moves. Lupita Nyong’o won Best Supporting Actress for her work as Patsy in 12 Years a Slave. Though the actress has won a handful of awards this season for her first ever feature film, many were concerned that the highest honor might not be awarded to the black actress.

Nyong’o’s acceptance speech was one of the night’s best. She thanked her brother, and 12 Years’ director Steve McQueen along with her character, Patsy. “It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s, so I want to salute the spirit of Patsy. For her guidance.”

The Kenyan raised, Yale-trained actress is only the seventh African American woman to win an Oscar for acting, and the sixth to win Best Supporting Actress. Halle Berry remains the only black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress, for her work in Monster’s Ball in 2001. Nyong’o concluded her speech on a hopeful and empowering note. “When I look down at this golden statue may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from your dreams are valid.”

The excitement of Nyong’o’s win carried through the rest of the night and was topped off when Will Smith announced that 12Years a Slave won best picture. Though the film’s win meant that Megan Ellison (producer of both American Hustle and Her, and the first woman to ever receive two best picture nods in the same year) did not take home win, history was still made. For the first time in 86 years a black director was awarded the Academy’s top honor.

Lupita Nyong’o on the red carpet. Stunning in Prada.

Other highlights of the night included Cate Blanchett’s acceptance speech for Best Actress. Not only did she thank all the other nominees, most notably Amy Adams: “everything you do is amazing,” and Dame Judi Dench, Blanchett also challenged the stereotype that films with a women at center are niche.

“Audiences want to see them […] And they earn money!” She exclaimed clutching her award. Despite the recent resurgence of the Woody Allen controversy, Blanchett offered a short acknowledgment to the director for casting her in Blue Jasmine, but focused the majority of her speech on the importance of women in film. This is Blancett’s second Oscar, she won Best Supporting in 2005 for her role in Aviator.

If ever an Oscars felt jubilant last night’s show was it. The standing ovations, the Wizard of Oz tribute, Idina Menzel and Karen O’s performances, but most of all it was the feeling of camaraderie and hope. Maybe this Academy Awards will set a precedent for future awards shows. It’s time we stopped being able to tally black actresses and female directors wins on our hands.

Photos Courtesy of ABC Media and Twitter