Oscars 2017 Most Political Moments
At the 2017 SAG Awards, celebrities made the show a moment for activism, so it’s no surprise they carried that movement with them to the Oscars.
The yearly awards ceremony is among the biggest in Hollywood so when celebrities decided to speak out and voice their opinions, millions heard what they had to say. Some decided to make a statement via pins supporting the American Civil Liberties Union on their much-photographed outfits, while others used the podium to express their political beliefs (and of course, Jimmy Kimmel’s multiple references to Trump were hard to ignore). Stars ranging from Lin-Manuel Miranda to Dakota Johnson to Emma Stone used the Academy Awards to make a statement; some were small, but all brought the message of resistance to the show’s viewers.
The 2017 Oscar season featured plenty of films that opened viewers’ eyes and minds with their messages, including Hidden Figures, Lion, and Moonlight. These creatives weren’t afraid to use the platform to make their voices heard and stand up for their beliefs.
Kevin Mazur1/14Karlie Kloss
The supermodel hit the red carpet with an ACLU badge pinned to her Oscar gown. Karlie supported Hillary Clintonduring the 2016 election (notably, she is dating Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.) And though a pin does not on its own instill change, the act of standing in solidarity with the organization is more important than ever.
Jeff Kravitz2/14Ruth Negga
The actress, nominated for her role in Loving, wore an ACLU pin with her red carpet gown. Ruth’s movie Loving is about interracial couple Mildred and Richard Loving, who fought for their right to marry in 1950s Virginia. In fact, [ACLU lawyers helped fight in the landmark case that was] (http://ew.com/awards/2017/02/26/oscars-2017-blue-ribbons-aclu/?preview_id=5585103) featured in the movie.
Frazer Harrison3/14Dakota Johnson
The 50 Shades Darker star wore a clutch emblazoned with the Planned Parenthood logo on the red carpet in support of the organization that provides critical health services to thousands of people.
Frazer Harrison4/14Ava DuVernay
As a “small sign of solidarity,” the Selma director wore a dress by Ashi Studio, a designer from the majority-Muslim country of Lebanon. The choice comes after Donald Trump’s now-halted executive order that banned immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim majority countries from entering the United States.
Kevin Mazur5/14Lin-Manuel Miranda
The Hamilton creator, no stranger to making a political statement via his art, and his mother wore ACLU pins on their Oscars ensembles. The organization tweeted in support of the actor, saying that they were [sic] “glad you gladly join the fight.”
Jeff Kravitz6/14Colleen Atwood
The costume designer, who was nominated for her work in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, wore the bright blue GLAAD ampersand pinned to her Oscar gown. The ampersand is a symbol of solidarity and unity; several celebrities wore the pin on the red carpet to raise awareness for the LGBTQ community.
Jeff Kravitz7/14Emma Stone
Like Dakota, La La Land’s Best Actress nominee Emma Stone wore a gold Planned Parenthood pin on her ‘20s-inspired gold flapper gown.
Tibrina Hobson8/14Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad’s makeup team accepted their award with their roots in mind. “This is for all the immigrants!” said team member Alessandro Bertolazzi, who hails from Italy. While he didn’t reference Trump or the current political climate in his speech, his words are especially impactful given that immigrants may understandably feel targeted in today’s political climate.
Frazer Harrison9/14Ezra Edelman
The director of O.J. Made in America accepted their Best Documentary Series on behalf of victims Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, and then went on to honor the victims of “police violence … and racially motivated violence. This is their story. I am honored to accept this award on all their behalfs.”
Greg Doherty10/14Asghar Farhadi
The Iranian director, who won for Best Foreign Language Film for The Salesman, wasn’t at the ceremony to accept his award. Anousheh Ansari, the first female Muslim space explorer, accepted his award on his behalf; Farhadi boycotted the ceremony as a response to Donald Trump’s travel ban. “My absence is out of respect for the people of my country,” he said in a statement
Kevin Winter11/14Gael García Bernal
The actor spoke up before presenting the award for Best Animated Feature. “Actors are migrant workers; we travel all over the world,” he said. “We built a life that cannot be divided. As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I’m against any form of wall that wants to separate us.” The crowd gave him a standing ovation for his impassioned speech.
Kevin Winter12/14Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney
“All you people who feel like there’s no mirror out there, that your life is not reflected, the Academy has your back. The ACLU has your back. We have your back,” said Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, accepting the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney added, “This goes to all the black and brown boys and girls and non-gender conforming [individuals] who don’t see themselves … this is for you.” Tarell also wore a red ribbon pinned to his lapel, which represents HIV/AIDS awareness.
Kevin Winter13/14Moonlight
After a surprise win (Warren Beatty read La La Land at first!), Moonlight’s crew took the stage. “I hope it’s inspiring to black boys and brown girls at home who feel marginalized, who take inspiration from this amazing group of artists,” said producer Dede Gardner, celebrating their big win. “There was a time when I thought this movie was impossible,” noted director Barry Jenkins. However, Moonlight and its message of acceptance and self-realization will definitely go down in history, not just as a Best Picture winner but as a movement of its own.
