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Hollywood's A-listers enjoy a free lunch at Oscar nominees' luncheon
Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, and Michael B. Jordan were among the stars who attended the Academy's annual event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, ahead of the Oscars on 15 March.
A relaxed prelude to the Oscars
The luncheon offers nominees a chance to socialize without the pressure of the main ceremony. This year's gathering was notably subdued, with fewer playful poses-likely a result of publicists advising stars to avoid viral mishaps in the age of social media.
The Academy also reversed last year's sitting arrangement, returning nominees to a standing formation for the traditional class photo.
Front-row favorites and standout moments
Best actor frontrunner Timothée Chalamet, starring in Marty Supreme, stood front and center in a sharp blue tuxedo. The 30-year-old actor is no stranger to the event, having been nominated last year for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Guillermo del Toro, director of Frankenstein, provided one of the few playful moments, stretching his arms wide in a rare break from the otherwise restrained poses.
Height and fashion highlights
Jacob Elordi, nominated for his role as Frankenstein's monster in Netflix's adaptation, towered over many of his peers at 6ft 5in (1.96m). Organizers strategically placed him next to Stellan Skarsgård (6ft 2in/1.88m), another tall nominee, in the back row.
Teyana Taylor stood out in a shimmering black overcoat, a strong contender in the supporting actress category for One Battle After Another. Taylor is the only actress in her category to secure nominations at the Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Awards, and SAG Awards.
Veterans and first-timers
Diane Warren, nominated for the 17th time for her song Dear Me from the documentary Relentless, remains winless despite her legendary career. Her extensive catalog includes hits like Unbreak My Heart (Toni Braxton) and I Don't Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith).
Michael B. Jordan, nominated for best actor in Sinners, radiated confidence in the photo. The film holds the record for the most Oscar nominations in history, with 16 nods.
British representation and colorful appearances
The UK was represented by Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku, the only British nominees in the acting categories. Mosaku, born in Nigeria and raised in Manchester, and Lindo, originally from Lewisham, added a touch of diversity to the lineup.
Kate Hudson brought a splash of color to the predominantly dark-suited crowd, wearing a striking red dress for her role in Song Sung Blue. Meanwhile, Ethan Hawke, nominated for Blue Moon, stood somewhat isolated at the end of a row.
Notable absences and Academy advice
Only two of the 20 nominated actors-Renate Reinsve and Sean Penn-were absent from the event. Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor used the occasion to offer practical advice for winners, emphasizing brevity in speeches and the importance of preparing remarks in advance.
"Don't read your speech from a phone-paper looks better on TV," she advised.
A record-breaking year for height and diversity
This year's class photo featured one of the tallest groups of nominees in recent memory, with several actors over 6ft (1.83m) strategically placed in the back row. The event also highlighted the growing diversity of Hollywood's most celebrated talents, from Wagner Moura's Brazilian roots to Mosaku's Nigerian-British heritage.
"This may be one of the tallest groups of Oscar nominees in recent memory."
Variety
