10 moments you missed at the Oscars this year

The 95th Academy Awards are over – and with them, the anticipation.

As the stars breathe out and let off some steam at various afterpartieswe’re taking a magnifying glass to the ceremony that was to find some of the best split-second moments and controversies you may have missed.

Ahead, we catch you up on 10 major moments you might not have noticed that eagle-eyed viewers can’t stop talking about.

AS IT HAPPENED: Winners, surprises and biggest moments from the 2023 Oscars

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1. Malala’s iconic response to Jimmy Kimmel

Number one has to go to this iconic on-screen moment from Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai.

While walking through the crowd, host Jimmy Kimmel decided to take the mic to Yousafzai and ask her a pretty silly fan question.

In fact, many online have called it “insulting” to the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Claiming to be reading out a question from a fan, Kimmel asked: ”Do you think Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine?”

To this, Yousafzai replied, “I only talk about peace.”

Kimmel awkwardly moved on from the activist’s reply saying, “You know what, that’s why you’re Malala and nobody else is.”

Despite some criticism of the question from viewers, Yousafzai owned the moment in an entirely unexpected way with a single comment on Twitter.

READ MORE: Full list of winners and nominees for the 2023 Oscars

Resharing a clip of the moment, the activist captioned it “Treat people with kindness”, which of course, is the name of a Harry Styles song.

So perhaps we know where she stands after all.

2. Lady Gaga dressing down (and going bare-faced) for her performance

Lady Gaga has been a topic of major conversation after the star decided to completely transform her glamorous Oscars look for her mid-show performance.

READ MORE: Shocked Brendan Fraser breaks down over Oscars win

The star wore a gorgeous sheer Versace gown for the occasion, with dramatic make-up, but when she took the stage to perform her Top Gun: Maverick hit, Hold My Handshe looked incredibly different.

While the star kept her tight braid, she removed all of her make-up, and opted for a simple black T-shirt, ripped black jeans and Converse sneakers combo.

Fans on Twitter couldn’t help but make a comment about the star’s major dress change.

“Lady Gaga’s makeup artist after she took it all off to perform,” one joked, sharing a clip of a crying man.

3. Michelle Yeoh makes history

Michelle Yeoh was the favourite, alongside Aussie Cate Blanchett, to win Best Actress this year.

And while many have celebrated the Everything, Everywhere, All At Once star’s win, not many may have realised just how important it is.

Yeoh is now the first and only woman of Asian descent to ever win Best Actress at the Oscars. Prior to her, Halle Berry was the only woman of colour to win the coveted award.

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In her speech, an emotional Yeoh sent a sweet message: “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dreams do come true.”

4. Mindy Kaling changing into the black version of her red carpet dress

This moment with Mindy Kaling is, honestly, still pretty perplexing.

The actress and comedian stunned on the red carpet in a white corseted Vera Wang gown, which saw her receive plenty of snaps from the fashion-conscious.

But a few moments later, the look was gone and replaced with something else.

READ MORE: Michelle Yeoh makes history after winning Best Actress gong

What proved more confusing was the fact Kaling’s second look wasn’t all that different.

Taking to the stage during the ceremony to present Best Original Score with actor John Cho, Kaling appeared in a black dress was exactly the same as her white number.

We’re unsure if the actress simply couldn’t decide on a colour, or if there was a deeper message behind this odd costume change, but one thing’s for sure: She looked sensational.

5. Hugh Grant reunites with Andie MacDowell

Ah, the Four Weddings and a Funeral reunion we didn’t know we needed!

Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell took to the stage to present the Oscar for Best Production Design, and delivered a hilarious gag in the process.

“We’re actually here to do two things,” Grant, 62, joked on stage.

“The first is to raise awareness about the vital importance of using a good moisturiser. Andie’s been wearing one every day for the last 29 years. I’ve never used one in my life. She’s still stunning and I’m basically a scrotum.”

READ MORE: John Travolta’s tearful Oscars tribute to Olivia Newton-John

The second, of course, was to present the Oscar, but by that time, viewers were likely too busy marvelling at MacDowell, 64, and her ageless complexion.

6. Bill Nighy’s Sylvanian bunny and James Hong’s googly eyes

We’re all about the details, and these tiny details in Bill Nighy and James Hong’s outfits certainly captured our attention.

Eagle-eyed viewers noticed Nighy donned a Sylvanian Bunny on his suit during the night, with many wondering why.

One fan had the answer.

READ MORE: Oscars host unleashes on Hollywood elite

“I think it’s a reference to his film Living,” they wrote, referring to the film Nighy was nominated for Best Actor for on the night.

“In the film, one of his younger colleagues he befriends wants to make toys and I think this is one of them.”

Meantime, Everything, Everywhere, All At Once star Hong wore a pair of googly eyes on his bow tie, which was also a direct reference to his film.

The 94-year-old star, who has appeared in over 650 projects, spent the night proudly showing off his googly eyes, with plenty of fans online declaring him a “legend”.

7. Rihanna’s secret entrance at the beginning of the show

Rihanna, as Rihanna does, spent the night serving all kinds of looks. But her best, for some, was worn for her secret and very dressed-down arrival at the event.

During the ceremony, footage emerged of the singer rocking up to the event hours beforehand in a green bucket hat, an oversized shirt and sneakers.

So, let it be said – as much as Rihanna rocks some epic high-fashion maternity wear, she does love her comfort.

READ MORE: Tearful Jamie Lee Curtis’ sweet shoutout to late parents

8. Morgan Freeman’s satin glove

Some fans were surprised to see acting legend Morgan Freeman sporting a silk glove on one of his hands during an on-stage appearance with Aussie starlet Margot Robbie.

The reason for Freeman’s glove, however, is well-known.

Back in 2008, the actor was left with irreparable nerve damage and a paralysed left hand after a horror car crash.

The crash saw Freeman’s car flip multiple times on a Mississippi highway, with the star having to be removed from the crushed vehicle with the jaws of life.

9. Lady Gaga sprints to help reporter

Lady Gaga has made it on the list once more for an epic act of athleticism early in the night.

The singer was seen rushing to the aid of a fallen reporter, who tripped over the train of her dress while moving past her.

10. A random Happy Birthday chorus from the entire crowd

The team from the live action short film An Irish Goodbye seized their moment to wish Irish actor James Martin, who has Down Syndrome, a very happy birthday.

After winning the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, the team insisted, “This award is actually the second most important thing about today, because it’s this man’s birthday.

“He’s out here in Hollywood wearing a leopard print suit jacket. We’d like to use the rest of our time to sing for James.”

And so they did. Just about every celebrity in the room sang Martin Happy Birthdaywith actor Colin Farrell excitedly throwing a thumbs up his way.