Hollywood’s award season continued its parade to the Oscars with the Critics’ Choice Award on Sunday, which Taye Diggs kicked off with a song and dance.
Diggs put his Broadway background to good use as he celebrated a year of cinema that was packed with diversity.
‘It was particularly a great year for African Americans, black filmmakers earned a record $1.5billion at the domestic box office,’ Diggs told the crowd full of celebrities.
Then, to the tune of Cardi B’s hit song ‘I Like It’, Diggs launched into a celebration of the ‘representation of my brothers and sisters’.
Hollywood’s award season continued its parade to the Oscars with the Critics’ Choice Award on Sunday, which Taye Diggs kicked off with a song and dance about diversity
Diggs put his Broadway background to good use as he celebrated a year of cinema that was packed with inclusivity
His musical tribute featured references to a slew of this year’s biggest films, including Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman.
Diggs was accompanied by what he called his ‘Black up’ singers and dancers, who often chimed in with hilarious lines.
When Diggs referenced the Ku Klux Klan, the girls sang ‘they’re not cool, they’re racist’. When he mentioned Dick Cheney, portrayed in the nominated film Vice, the girls added ‘Dick Cheney’s not black’.
‘Barry Jenkins made us wonder what Beale Street would say,’ Diggs continued. ‘Where my Crazy Rich Asians at?’
To the tune of Cardi B’s hit song ‘I Like It’, Diggs launched into a celebration of the ‘representation of my brothers and sisters’
Diggs was accompanied by what he called his ‘Black up’ singers and dancers, who often chimed in with hilarious lines
His musical tribute featured references to a slew of this year’s biggest films, including Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman
‘Let’s give it up for the queen,’ he said, before revealing he was referring to Regina King.
Following Diggs’ opening tune, it was only natural that the first award of the night would be rewarded to Best Song.
And Lady Gaga continued her sweep of the category this award season for the hit Shallow, which won the Golden Globe just last week.
‘Oh my goodness, thank you so much,’ Lady Gaga told the crowd as she took the stage in a simple light pink gown.
Lady Gaga continued her sweep in the Best Song category for her tune Shallow from A Star Is Born on Sunday
‘Oh my goodness, thank you so much,’ Lady Gaga told the crowd as she took the stage in a simple light pink gown
Lady Gaga paid tribute to Bradley Cooper, who directed and starred alongside her in the film
‘I’ll never forget when we wrote this song together, I’ll never forget playing it for Bradley the first time and seeing his face light up and singing it live together, take after take,’ she continued as the crowd laughed.
‘I was mesmerized as myself and as my character Ally. I was basking in the brilliant transformation of Bradley into Jackson Maine, overwhelmed by the storytelling and power in his voice.’
‘This song is a conversation between men and women,’ she continued, echoing her words from the red carpet earlier that night.
‘Asking each other questions about life, and a desire for more depth in the shallowness of our modern era. I’m so happy it resonated with you.’
The first two acting awards of the nights were proof that Diggs’ song was speaking the truth, as Regina King and Mahershala Ali both nabbed supporting actor wins
Mahershala Ali paid tribute to Green Book composer Kris Bowers after winning Best Supporting Actor on Sunday
The first two acting awards of the nights were proof that Diggs’ song was speaking the truth, as Regina King and Mahershala Ali both nabbed supporting actor wins.
Ali brought Green Book composer Kris Bowers to the podium to pay him special thanks, revealing Bowers taught him how to play the piano for the role.
Both Ali and King won their categories at last week’s Golden Globes as well – a good sign as the race to the Oscars continues.
The Favourite nabbed Best Acting Ensemble, but stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz all skipped out on the ceremony – with presenter Cole Sprouse joking they were overseas for a ‘high stakes duck race’.
Sarah Silverman made a Bird Box joke as she presented the award for Best Sci-Fi or Horror Movie on Sunday
Diggs made a quick outfit change and got laughs from the crowd early on during the ceremony
Claire Foy accepted the #SeeHer award at the 24th annual Critics’ Choice Awards on Sunday
Darren Criss continued his own sweep for his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, which has also won him an Emmy and Golden Globe.
And the former Glee star scored laughs from the crowd as he apologized for any future ‘lackluster performances’.
‘I hope when that happens you will remember this moment, because I certainly will,’ he added.
There was a very rare tie in the Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries, with both Amy Adams and Patricia Arquette nabbing the award.
The pair stood arm in arm on the podium and went back and forth as they thanked their respective network, cast, and families.
Darren Criss contiued his own award season sweep for his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace on Sunday