Sun Mar 02 14:07:07 UTC 2025: **Oscars 2025: Emilia Perez Leads Nominations, Controversies and Star-Studded Lineup**

LOS ANGELES – The 97th Academy Awards are set to take place this Sunday, March 2nd, at the Dolby Theatre, promising a night of glitz, glamour, and potential upsets. The ceremony, hosted for the first time by Conan O’Brien, will air on ABC at 7pm ET/4pm PT and stream on Hulu.

Leading the nominations with a record-breaking 13 nods is the Spanish-language musical *Emilia Perez*, a crime drama about a transgender cartel leader. This marks a historic high for a non-English language film. Close behind with 10 nominations each are *The Brutalist*, a Holocaust survivor story, and the *Wicked* origin story.

The Best Picture category boasts a diverse lineup of 10 films, including *Anora* (a strong early favorite), *Conclave* (a BAFTA and SAG winner), and the critically acclaimed documentary *No Other Land*, which explores the stark realities faced by Palestinians and Israelis. *No Other Land’s* nomination highlights its powerful message of inequality.

This year’s nominations have been marked by both groundbreaking inclusions and surprising snubs. Karla Sofia Gascon’s nomination for Best Actress in *Emilia Perez* makes her the first openly transgender actor nominated for an Oscar, but the revelation of past offensive social media posts has sparked controversy, leading Netflix to withdraw her from promotional activities. Notable omissions include Selena Gomez, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, and Denzel Washington.

A star-studded lineup will present awards, featuring past winners like Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., and Da’Vine Joy Randolph alongside Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, and Oprah Winfrey. Musical performances will include Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande from *Wicked*, Doja Cat, Lisa from Blackpink, Queen Latifah, and Raye, accompanied by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Nick Offerman will serve as the show announcer.

While *Anora* and *Conclave* are considered strong contenders for Best Picture, the Best Actor race is predicted to be a close call between Adrien Brody (*The Brutalist*) and Timothée Chalamet (*A Complete Unknown*), while Demi Moore (*The Substance*) is among the frontrunners for Best Actress. The Oscars promise a captivating evening filled with both celebration and controversy.

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