Sightings, hearings and happenings around town, brought to you by Engine Vision Media — behind Los Angeles, Pasadena and Orange Coast magazines and historic Downtown L.A. restaurant Engine Co. No. 28
In his second year as Oscars host, Conan O’Brien led Hollywood through a nearly four-hour show with his trademark wit. “Last year when I hosted, Los Angeles was on fire. But this year, everything’s going great,” he said with a laugh, mocking industry perils like AI, monopolistic mergers and the Trump administration. Later in the telecast, he remarked, “It’s the first time since 2012 that there are no British actors nominated for best actor or best actress. A British spokesperson said, ‘Yeah, but at least we arrest our pedophiles.’”
No one was off limits — not even four-time Academy Award nominees. In his monologue, O’Brien also poked fun at Timothée Chalamet’s recent comments during a CNN and Variety town hall that insinuated “no one cares” about ballet and opera. “Security is extremely tight tonight,” the comedian said. “I’m told there’s concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.”
The night saw some historic wins. Jessie Buckley became the first Irish actress to win best lead actress for Hamnet, while Sinners’ Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win for cinematography.
Sinners also racked up Oscars for Ludwig Göransson’s score; writer-director Ryan Coogler’s original screenplay; and Michael B. Jordan, who become the sixth Black actor to win in the best actor category.
However, One Battle After Another emerged as the night’s big victor. The Paul Thomas Anderson vehicle took home Oscars for best casting, editing, adapted screenplay, supporting actor, director and picture.
Center Stage
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 11: Demi Lovato performs onstage during An Unforgettable Evening at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on March 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Women’s Cancer Research Fund)Credit: Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Women’s Cancer Research Fund
After being introduced via a dance number, Liza Minnelli made a surprise appearance at the GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 5. Singer/co-author Michael Feinstein presented the EGOT winner with the first-ever Liza Minnelli Storyteller Award for her new memoir.
The awards also marked one of two recent gala appearances by Demi Lovato. After opening the GLAAD Awards with a racy performance of “Kiss” from her 2025 album It’s Not That Deep, she entertained guests at An Unforgettable Evening benefitting the Women’s Cancer Research Fund at the Beverly Wilshire on March 11. Lovato got the crowd dancing to hits like “Sorry Not Sorry” — but not before surprise guest Jennifer Lopez honored fellow Bronx native Kerry Washington.
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And on Oscar night, Grammy winner Lola Young gave a star performance of favorites, including “Messy” for revelers such as Adam Lambert, Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka at the 34th Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards After-Party.
Seen Around Town
Syrinthia Studer, Kate Hudson and Kirsten SchafferCredit: Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock for WIF
When the 2026 female Oscar nominees introduced themselves at the WIF soirée hosted for
the second year at the former Bette Davis party villa in West Hollywood, Kate Hudson passed the mic to Diane Warren. “It’s my 17th nomination and I’ve lost 16 of them!” the songwriter joked.
At Giorgio Armani’s awards season bash at the Beverly Hills flagship, fans accosted guests like Macaulay Culkin and the cast of Heated Rivalry for selfies. Meanwhile, Minnie Driver and Samuel L. Jackson showed their own fandom by wearing looks with the late designer’s portrait.
Bloomingdale’s launched its California Love campaign with a breezy cocktail party attended by stylish guests such as Matt Bomer, Zoey Deutch and Sophia Bush — plus Baby2Baby’s Kelly Sawyer and Norah Weinstein, whose nonprofit the company supports.
And during Frieze week, artist Lauren Halsey teamed up with L.A. denim brand Citizens of Humanity for a creative fête at RVR in Venice, attended by friends Chris Rock and Santigold, and featuring music curated by Grammy-winning saxophonist Kamasi Washington.
Coupled Up
Credit: Virgile Guinard
Chanel and Charles Finch’s 17th annual Pre-Oscar Dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge on March 14 proved a date night for fashionable couples, including Scott Stuber and Molly Sims, Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman, and Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale. Also there — but separately— were Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon, who portray lovebirds John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in FX’s hit anthology Love Story.
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