The glitz and glam of the Academy Awards was back with all the big games in film. Vanessa Hudgens brought the energy as a co-host to ABC's Oscars Red Carpet Show interviewing stars as they arrive for the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. She chatted with anyone you can think of from her tick, tick...BOOM! co-star Andrew Garfield to Best Actress nominee Nicole Kidman. Vanessa brought the joy and hype to the pre-show event that got us ready for the big night. Before channeling her hosting persona, she went through rehearsals and was so excited she even called her mom, Gina to show her what she's up to.
She wasn't the only Filipino celeb spotted at the Oscars and the Vanity Fair after-party, H.E.R. and Dominic Fike also made appearances at the events. Check out their looks and what they wore.
Vanessa Hudgens in Michael Kors Spring Collection. She kept it classy in a black, floor length cut-out gown with matching emerald and diamond jewels to complete the look.
H.E.R. shines in a bright green high-low Carolina Herrera dress by Creative Director Wes Gordon. Although red seemed to be the color of the night, H.E.R. pulls off an equally stunning color with her signature shades.
Dominic Fike and Hunter Shafer hit the Vanity Fair after-party together with Dominic Fike in a black suit with a sequined jacket and Hunter in a taupe and gray Rick Owens fishtail gown.
Frederic Aspiras got a shout out from Lady Gaga herself for his Oscar nomination who was "responsible for all the hair artistry for the character Patrizia in House Of Gucci."
Cover Photo Credit: Vanity Fair Twitter
Awards season is in full force and the nominations for the Academy Awards are here! The event will name its winners on Sunday, March 27 with a live broadcast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. Many of the big films this year were nominated for multiple awards like Dune grabs 10 nominations, West Side Story and Belfast earned seven noms, while King Richard was nominated in six categories. This year three are 10 films nominated for Best Picture.
One of the announcements that's exciting for Filipino and Asian-Americans is the nominee for Frederic Aspiras who worked on House of Gucci. He is the second Asian-American nominated for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar. Aspiras, a longtime hairstylist for Lady Gaga was brought along for this project. He started working with Lady Gaga over 13 years ago on the Monster Ball. Since then, he's crafted for tours, photoshoots and covers, music videos, events, and more! On the daily, Aspiras is part of the Haus of Gaga team.
In addition to receiving an Oscar nominee, Aspiras was also nominated for a BAFTA which is the British version similar to the Academy Awards. He created a different character for Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani. Together with his creative partner in the film, Sarah Tanno researched the era, other notable style icons, and worked to build a style guide for the film to bring the character to life.
The recognition he earned, goes to show that there's still a long way for Asian-Americans to be represented in all facets of media. His journey has influenced others along his path to follow suit. He told Variety, "I started with Lady Gaga 13 years ago, and fans from around the world who have written to me telling me they have become hairdressers — that to me is probably one of the most rewarding things ever. It’s also about being a role model in that I am Asian American with refugee parents."
Frederic Aspiras mother, Suzie L. Nguyen came to San Francisdc as a refugee from Vietnam. Her journey as a single mother brought her to go to cosmetology school and open her own salon business. Here is where Aspiras was inspired by watching his mother put on makeup and prep people’s hair. Now, he's the next generation who continues his mother's legacy while breaking the mold of stereotypes. We'll be tuning in and having our fingers crossed this Oscars!
Cover Photo Credit: Frederic Aspiras Twitter
Chloé Zhao is the director of the drama film, Nomadland. The film had six nominations at the 93rd Academy Awards and snagged three statuettes. The project received Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Frances McDormand's performance. Zhao became the second woman in Oscar history to win Best Director and marked the first woman of color to receive the accolade.
In her acceptance speech, she talks about how she keeps going when things get hard. Zhao reflects back on a childhood memory with her father, recalling a game they played memorizing classic Chinese poems. According to Vanity Fair, "they recited them to each other and try to finish each other’s sentences. One of her favorites when translated into English meant, 'People at birth are inherently good.'" And that's what we all need right now, is to believe in the goodness of people.
"This is for anyone who had the faith and courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves, and to hold on to the goodness in each other...”
CHLOÉ ZHAO, OSCAR ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Nomadland is based on the nonfiction book by Jessica Bruder, Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century. It stars Frances McDormand as Fern, a nomadic woman living out of her van, working a series of odd jobs out on the road. The film received praise and other awards before the Oscar wins. It also won Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director at the 78th Golden Globe Awards, four more awards at the 74th British Academy Film Awards, and another four awards at the 36th Independent Spirit Awards. Catch the film now streaming on Hulu.
Cover Photo Courtesy of Vanity Fair Twitter, Taken by @QUILLEMONS
H.E.R. got a big win at the 93rd Academy Awards for Fight For You in the Best Original Song category. The song Fight For You is featured in the Oscar nominated film Judas and the Black Messiah. In her acceptance speech, she teases that she's always wanted to say "thank you to the academy..." and we're with her, who wouldn't? She also thanks her collaborators one the song, Dernst Emille II and Tiara Thomas plus her parents.
She walked the carpet with her beautiful Filipna mother and they attended the ceremony together. Catch her acceptance speech below.
The film also received the award for Best Supporting Actor in which actor Daniel Kaluuya (Black Panther) won. He completed the award season sweep also winning Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG Award, and Critics' Choice. In addition to having two actors nominated from the film for Best Supporting Actor, it also earned nominations for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. The movie’s nomination for Best Picture made history for featuring an all-Black producing team.
"Knowledge is power, music is power. As long as I'm standing, I'll always gonna fight for us. I'm always going to fight for my people and fight for what's right..."
H.E.R. on accepting the oscar
Just this last March, H.E.R. won 2 more Grammy Awards and now she can add Oscar winning artist to her accolades. When she was nominated for the Oscar, H.E.R. was nothing but grateful. According to ABC News, H.E.R. says, “I’m feeling crazy man..."
“This just doesn’t happen. It’s just a whole different world I’m stepping into. It’s just a crazy, crazy part of my journey. I never would have imagined this would even happen. I’m super, super grateful. That’s the foundation of how I feel. It’s just gratitude.”
ABS-CBN and TFC Reporter Yong Chavez had a quick chat with H.E.R. after the win in the virtual press area. She H.E.R. speak Tagalog in a little banter. She's on one of the biggest stage representing her roots and not afraid to show it!
Cover Photo Credit: H.E.R. Music Facebook
