For its “let’s still do this” attitude to the previous unprecedented year or so, awards season is nothing if not unprecedented. That’s to be anticipated, and the Oscars did their utmost to compensate with a dramatic staging (produced by Steven Soderbergh) and unorthodox speech moments including Daniel Kaluuya mortifying his mother and Glenn Close doing the “Da Butt” dance. The evening didn’t hold many surprises, but maybe The Academy was saving them for the end, as viewers were stunned to learn that the late Chadwick Boseman didn’t win Best Actor for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Instead, Anthony Hopkins took home the award for The Father, which shocked even Anthony Hopkins. The Oscars’ decision to go against tradition and announce Best Actor as the last award didn’t help the uncomfortable atmosphere, and there was little to smooth over the unwelcome news. In addition, Joaquin Phoenix abruptly ended the show:
It was as quiet and noisy as one would expect from Joaquin, who won the Joker last year after an unconventional campaign. Joaquin kept the film industry’s feet to the fire during the crusade, exposing a number of topics aimed at slowing climate change. He encouraged sustainability at this year’s ceremony by continuing his apparent promise from last year to wear the same tux for the duration of his Arthur Fleck-centered awards season. According to USA Today:
Last night, Joaquin Phoenix attended the Oscars in the same suit he wore to the 2020 ceremony, fulfilling a pledge he made.
In order to save money, Phoenix wore the same black tuxedo with a white button shirt and bow tie. Last year, he vowed to wear the Stella McCartney tux for the entire awards season, and it appears that he will keep that promise in 2021.
Joaquin’s promise from last year, by the way, was never voiced by him. Instead, McCartney broke the news on Instagram. “This man is a winner… wearing custom Stella because he chooses to make choices for the future of the planet and all of its creatures,” she wrote. “He has also chosen to wear this same Tux for the entire award season to reduce waste. I am proud and honoured to join forces with you Joaquin, keep inspiring and keep shining your light x Stella.”
So, why not repurpose fashion? Putting on a new suit for each awards show is wasteful, as Joaquin evidently thought when he continued to speak after giving an award to an actor who didn’t show up. What a king he was.
