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Jimmy Kimmel mocks Al Pacino’s Best Picture Oscars 2024 flub

Say hello to my different presenting style.

Oscars 2024 host Jimmy Kimmel jokingly slammed Al Pacino’s presentation of the coveted Best Picture award while appearing on “Live with Kelly and Mark.”

“I guess he’s never watched an awards show before,” Kimmel, 56, told Kelly Ripa, 53, and Mark Consuelos, 52, in a clip aired on Monday. “It seems like everyone in America knows the rhythm of how it’s supposed to go, down to ‘And the Oscar goes to…’ but, uh, not Al.”

The “Scarface” actor — who was supposed to reunite with his co-star Michelle Pfeiffer until she dropped out last-minute — appeared during Sunday’s star-studded assembly to present the top honor … with his own twist.

Instead of building the tension and suspense — as other presenters have before — by naming each of the 10 nominated films, the “Godfather” star just blurted out the victor.

“This is the time for the last award of the evening, and it’s my honor to present it. Ten wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for Best Picture,” Pacino stated while fumbling to open the envelope. “And, uh, I have to go to the envelope for that, and I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer.’ Yes. Yes.”

Pacino’s abrupt announcement took some by surprise inside LA’s Dolby Theater — and others at home.

The Post reached out to Pacino for comment.

Several critics were quick to react on social media, too.

“Wish Al would have read all of the nominees first. I was looking forward to seeing the sizzle reels, and a bit of tension,” one person posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“The downside of elderly legends giving out the biggest award,” stated a second person. “Pair them with a younger star to make sure they do what they are supposed to do or tape the announcement of the ten nominees. Disrespectful to not give them their due.”

“Didn’t anyone tell him he had to read the names of the nominated films before he opens the envelope,” a third user lambasted. “Was he drinking?”

Despite several negative reviews, others defended him.

“People think he forgot to say the nominees, but they did the same non-announcement for Best Song,” a user pointed out. “Perhaps they skip saying the nominees in both categories because each song was sung and each movie highlighted during the ceremony.”

“This always happens at the end of these awards shows especially when they have an 80-year-old presenting. You can’t blame them. Get over it,” another angry X user posted.

“Another old Hollywood legend hung out to dry at the end of the show,” a third person lamented.

Although Kimmel teased Pacino, a source claims to E! News that the actor’s abbreviated speech was a creative direction by production.

Christopher Nolan’s three-hour epic, which was nominated for 13 awards, took home the top prize, beating out “American Fiction,” “Barbie,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “The Holdovers,” “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Past Lives” and “Maestro.”

The biopic also earned gold statues for Best Director (Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Score.

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Daniel Day-Lewis breaks from retirement to fete Martin Scorsese

NEW YORK (AP) — Daniel Day-Lewis took a break from retirement to present Martin Scorsese the award for best director at the National Board of Review Awards in midtown Manhattan on Thursday night.

Scorsese’s Osage epic, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” was the top honoree at the 95th NBR Awards. In awards announced earlier but handed out Thursday, “Killers of the Flower Moon” was the group’s pick for best film, along with best director for Scorsese and best actress for Lily Gladstone.

The night’s biggest surprise guest was Day-Lewis, who quit acting after Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film “Phantom Thread” and has since largely avoided public life. Day-Lewis sat next to Scorsese throughout the gala at Cipriani’s 42nd Street before presenting the directing award.

“I was a teenager when I discovered Martin’s work,” Day-Lewis said. “With a light of his own making he illuminated unknown worlds that pulsed with a dangerous, irresistible energy — worlds that were mysterious to me and utterly enthralling. He illuminated the vast beautiful landscape of what is possible in film and he clarified for me what it is that one must ask of one self to work in faith.”

Day-Lewis, who starred in Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York” (2002) and “The Age of Innocence” (1993), called working with the director “one of the greatest joys and unexpected privileges of my life.”

When Scorsese took the stage and accepted the award, he returned the compliment, calling working with Day-Lewis “one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

“Maybe there’s time for one more,” added Scorsese with a grin as the crowd gasped at the possibility. Day-Lewis, standing to the side of the stage, smiled and held out his hands.

Much of the appeal of the NBRs is the pairing of presenters and honorees. Laura Linney introduced best supporting actor Mark Ruffalo, a reunion of the “You Can Count on Me” stars. Patti Smith presented Lily Gladstone with the best-actress award.

“Of course this is not a dream to be sitting in between Patti Smith and Daniel Day-Lewis,” joked a staggered Gladstone.

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The night’s most moving moment came earlier in the evening when Michael J. Fox took the stage with Davis Guggenheim, the director of the documentary winner “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.” The crowd gave Fox a rousing standing ovation before the actor reflected on how Parkinson’s disease has changed his life for the better.

“Parkinson’s has been a gift. It’s been a gift that keeps on taking,” Fox said. “It’s been a gift because it’s given me an audience to talk about what’s possible.”

Fox worked in jokes throughout his speech but returned to that theme, noting Parkinson’s has been more meaningful to him than his success in entertainment.

“It just opened my eyes in a way I didn’t expect,” Fox said.

Bradley Cooper, recipient of the Icon Award for “Maestro,” also paid tribute to Fox as he recalled watching “Secret of My Success” and “Family Ties” while growing up.

“I felt like he was my friend,” Cooper said.

While there was little suspense to the ceremony, given that the awards had been announced earlier, a clue was dropped to one of awards season’s biggest mysteries.

French director Justine Triet, whose “Anatomy of a Fall” was honored for best international film, provided a hint for moviegoers debating whether the film’s protagonist, played by Sandra Hüller, was guilty of the murder she is tried for in the film.

“I have one advice: Watch the dog,” Triet said. “He’s an animal. He has instincts. Maybe he knows.”

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Ben Affleck reveals why he appeared miserable at Grammys 2023

Ben Affleck denies having a bad time at the 2023 Grammy Awards and claims his viral unenthused face was due to host Trevor Noah catching him off guard for a skit.

“I saw [Noah approach] and I was like, ‘Oh, God,’” the Argo director told The Hollywood Reporter in a new feature published Thursday.

“They were framing us in this shot, but I didn’t know they were rolling.”

Just before the skit began, cameras captured Affleck having a conversation with his wife, Jennifer Lopez.

The “Gone Girl” star, 50, said that he had been joking with the “Jenny From the Block” singer, 53, telling her, “As soon they start rolling, I’m going to slide away from you and leave you sitting next to Trevor.”

Affleck said he didn’t know cameras were “rolling” when host Trevor Noah sat next to them.

Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The actor added that he and his wife had just shared a joke when he was caught off guard.

Getty Images for The Recording Academy

“She goes, ‘You better f–king not leave,’” Affleck adds. “That’s a husband-and-wife thing. I mean, some of it is, I’m like, ‘All right, who is this act?’”

In the skit, Noah, 39, pretended to be on the phone with his mom after Sam Smith’s controversial performance of “Unholy,” and quipped, “Mom, it wasn’t the actual devil. No, they were just dressed as the devil, mom.”

At the time, the host was seated next to Lopez, who could be seen sternly patting her husband on the chest amid a brief chat.

After the moment went viral, everyone from fans to experts weighed in on the exchange.

A lip reader thought Lopez told her husband, “Look more friendly. Look motivated.”

A body language expert claimed the “Shotgun Wedding” star’s gesture was “reproachful” and was an attempt to show “control.”

Lopez claimed on Instagram that she had the “best time” with Affleck at the Grammys.

CBS

However, Lopez tried to quiet the noise by taking to social media soon after the Grammys and sharing that she had the “best time” with her “love” at the awards show.

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Multiple sources previously told Page Six that Affleck was seen in a great mood backstage, and one insider shared with us an exclusive video of the “Armageddon” actor laughing with Queen Latifah.

Affleck insisted to the Hollywood Reporter that he had a “good time” at the Grammys, although he did consider the award show to be his “wife’s work event.”

Affleck insisted to the Hollywood Reporter that he had a “good time” at the awards show.

Austin Hargrave

“My wife was going, and I thought, ‘Well, there’ll be good music. It might be fun,’” he said.

“At movie award shows, it’s speeches and, like, sound-mixing webinars. But I thought this would be fun.”

Affleck recognized, though, that he has gone to Hollywood events “pissed” or drunk “a bunch” in the past.

Affleck insisted to the Hollywood Reporter that he had a “good time” at the awards show.

Photography by Austin Hargrave for The Hollywood Reporter

“Nobody ever once said I’m drunk. [But at the Grammys] they were like, ‘He’s drunk,’” the “Deep Water” star said.

“And I thought, that’s interesting. That raises a whole other thing about whether or not it’s wise to acknowledge addiction because there’s a lot of compassion, but there is still a tremendous stigma, which is often quite inhibiting.”

Affleck, who revealed in March 2017 that he went to rehab for alcohol addiction, concluded, “I do think it disincentivizes people from making their lives better.”

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Michelle Yeoh wins Best Actress at 2023 Oscars

Michelle Yeoh is taking home the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”

Yeoh, 60, is the second woman of color to win in the category, following Halle Berry for “Monster’s Ball” (2001).

In her speech on stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, she tearfully thanked her cast and crew in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and her family.

“For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities,” Yeoh said. “This is proof that dreams, dream big, and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you’re ever past your prime.”

She honored her mom with the award during her speech.

“I have to dedicate this to my mom, all the moms in the world, because they are really the superheroes and without them, none of us will be here tonight. She’s 84 and I’m taking this home to her,” she said.

In the speech, she thanked the Academy for making history.

AFP via Getty Images

“Thank you to the Academy, this is history in the making, thank you!” she said as she exited the stage.

Actresses Halle Berry and Jessica Chastain presented the award, breaking from the Oscar tradition of the previous year’s Best Actor winner coming back to present the award for Best Actress. Will Smith has been banned from appearing at the ceremony for 10 years following last year’s slap.

Yeoh beat out fellow nominees Cate Blanchett (“Tár“), Andrea Riseborough (“To Leslie“), Michelle Williams (“The Fabelmans“) and Ana de Armas (“Blonde“).

The actress made history as the first Asian woman to be nominated in the category in 85 years.

In “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Yeoh stars as laundromat owner Evelyn Wang, a Chinese immigrant who is swept into parallel universes in order to save all of existence.

She also made history as the first Asian woman to take home the Best Actress award at both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards.

Yeoh was in hot water earlier this month for possibly violating the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “References to Other Nominees” rule after reportedly posting a photo of a Vogue article, which suggested fellow frontrunner Blanchett doesn’t need a third Oscar.

The actress posted the photo on her Instagram account mere hours before official Oscar voting ended and then promptly deleted it, according to the Daily Beast.

Riseborough also sparked controversy and was subjected to a full investigation by the academy over the campaign to nominate the “To Leslie” actress. She was cleared by the investigation and allowed to remain on the ballot.

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Maverick’ song at the Oscars

Lady Gaga will perform her Oscar-nominated song at the awards show after all.

Just a few days after Oscars producer Glenn Weiss said that Gaga will not be performing at the ceremony, a source close to production confirmed to The Associated Press that she will actually be singing “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick.”

The addition of Gaga means all of this year’s nominees for Best Original Song will be performing at the Academy Awards.

Other nominees who will perform this year include Rihanna (“Lift Me Up”), Sofia Carson and Diane Warren (“Applause”), Stephanie Hsu, David Byrne and Son Lux (“This Is a Life”) and Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava (“Naatu Naatu”).

Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick.”

It was reported earlier that the “Poker Face” singer had to turn down the offer to perform due to scheduling conflicts, Weiss confirmed Wednesday during the Oscars Creative Team press conference.

“We invited all five nominees. We have a great relationship with Lady Gaga and her camp. She is in the middle of shooting a movie right now. Here, we are honoring the movie industry and what it takes to make a movie after a bunch of back and forth … It didn’t feel like she can get a performance to the caliber that we’re used to with her and that she is used to,” Weiss said.

“So she is not going to perform on the show, however, this is all, from our point of view, about someone making a movie and us completely understanding that that’s what is priority in this business, especially when we are honoring movies,” Weiss continued.

Gaga is currently in the process of filming the upcoming “Joker” musical sequel “Joker: Folie à Deux” with Joaquin Phoenix, where she will play Harley Quinn.

Gaga is the first artist to receive three nominations in the Best Original Song category with “Holy My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Til It Happens to You” from “The Hunting Ground” in 2016, and “Shallow” from “A Star Is Born” in 2019.

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Sarah Ferguson to present at Oscars — thanks to the Presley family

Sarah Ferguson could be making a surprise appearance at the Oscars 2023 telecast on March 12.

The Duchess of York, 63, is rumored to be presenting at the 95th annual Academy Awards on Sunday — on behalf of her late pal Lisa Marie Presley.

The acclaimed Baz Luhrmann biopic “Elvis” is nominated for eight of the golden statuettes, including Best Actor for star Austin Butler, Best Picture and Best Sound.

“There have been discussions about the Duchess attending and it now looks as though that will happen — the plan is for her to present an award,” a source revealed to the The Sun.

The insider continued: “She has been a very close friend of the Presley family, especially Elvis’ daughter Lisa Marie, and she even spoke at her funeral recently.”

Fergie’s emotional memorial appearance “sparked some conversations about the possibility of her attending – and after some back and forth it looks like it’s happening,” the source added. “It’s a big deal to have her there, but it’s a big deal for the Duchess too. America looks likely to play a big part in her future after the problems in the UK over recent years.”

Sarah Ferguson and Lisa Marie Presley’s friendship became public in 2009.

Instagram/Sarah Ferguson

The Duchess of York, who is currently promoting her new memoir “Finding Sarah,” made a speech at Presley’s memorial back in January.

The “To Whom It May Concern” singer died suddenly on Jan. 12 at the age of 54, after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Ferguson had appeared at Presley’s funeral just days later, even quoting her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth ll, at the Graceland memorial service.

“I think it’s time to stoke our flames within … to celebrate the extraordinary Lisa Marie,” Ferguson said to a crowd of Presley’s loved ones on Jan. 22.

“[The Queen] used to say that nothing [that] can be said can begin to take away the anguish and the pain of these moments, because grief is the price we pay for love. And how right she was.”

The “Finding Sarah” author paid tribute to Presley at the time of her passing, calling the late singer her “sissy.”

“You have been my devoted friend for many years, and I am here for your family to support and love them. I am deeply saddened, my sissy, you are in my heart,” the royal wrote on social media.

Presley died on Jan. 12 at the age of 54.

The two’s seemingly unlikely friendship surfaced back in 2009, following the death of Presley’s ex-husband, pop icon Michael Jackson.

Presley had reportedly resided at Ferguson’s villa in Marbella, Spain, to grieve the loss.

The songwriter also attended Fergie’s 50th birthday bash in London in 2009 and her daughter Princess Beatrice’s 21st birthday party.

The Post has reached out to the Duchess of York for comment.

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Lori Loughlin attends first awards show since college admissions scandal

Lori Loughlin beamed from ear to ear in her first awards show appearance since the infamous college admissions scandal.

The “Full House” star posed for snaps at the 30th annual Movieguide Awards in Los Angeles on Friday in what marked her first ceremony attendance since being released from prison in December 2020.

Loughlin, 58, stepped out in a vibrant pink ensemble consisting of a silk blazer and trousers of the same color, as well as a silky blouse of a darker shade.

She completed the look with minimal makeup and her hair up in a bun, with several tresses let down and curled.

She accessorized with a dark pink clutch and a pair of pointy heels of the same shade.

Loughlin poses with Candace Cameron Bure at the Movieguide Awards on Feb. 10, 2023.

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Loughlin, Bill Abbott and Candace Cameron Bure attend the 30th Annual Movieguide Awards at Avalon Hollywood on Feb. 10, 2023.

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On the flashy red carpet, the actress was seen rubbing shoulders with her longtime pal and former co-star Candace Cameron Bure. The pair laughed and posed for pictures together before heading into the ceremony.

The pair, who were co-presenters at the award show in Hollywood’s Avalon Theater, purposefully avoided all questions from the media.

Other stars at the event included “This Is Us” actress Chrissy Metz, Paula Abdul, supermodel Kathy Ireland, Haylie Duff, “The Office” actress Kate Flannery, and Tiffany Daniels.

The event marks Loughlin’s second red carpet-appearance since her release from jail. She attended the DesignCare Gala in June 2022.

Loughlin’s daughters, Isabella Rose Giannulli, left, and Olivia Jade Giannulli, right.

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Loughlin exiting the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse after answering charges for her role in the college admissions scandal on April 3, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts.

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The actress and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, plead guilty in May 2020 to bribing daughters Olivia Jade Giannulli and Isabella “Bella” Giannulli into the University of Southern California as fake rowing recruits.

After both serving time in prison, Loughlin and Mossimo, 59, were released in December 2020 and April 2021, respectively.

Loughlin’s awards show return comes over six months after she made her first TV appearance since the highly publicized scandal.

The “Fuller House” alum was a guest on KTLA’s “Lead with Love 3 telethon” in June to promote her work with the Project Angel Food charity in Los Angeles.

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What you didn’t see on TV

The 2023 Grammys live broadcast may have been filled with memorable moments – but what fans didn’t see on TV was just as entertaining.

Inside the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the nominees were spotted having the time of their lives as they watched the hours-long show in the VIP section near the stage.

Lizzo was one of the first celebrities to make her way inside the venue and was hard to miss in her stunning bright orange gown by Dolce & Gabbana.

Lizzo and Adele were the life of the star-studded party inside the Crypto.com Arena Sunday night.

Getty Images for The Recording A

The “Good as Hell” singer was seen snapping pics near her table before the crowd of A-listers assembled into their assigned seats after walking the red carpet.

And Lizzo was truly giving off “bad bitch o’clock” energy throughout the night, turning up with her industry pals. Even when the cameras weren’t rolling, Lizzo and Adele were seen exchanging laughs as they conversed and pumped up their nearby peers.

The awards show besties also posed for pics with Beyoncé.

Lizzo won big herself Sunday night – taking home the Record of the Year award for “About Damn Time” – but was all about spreading good vibes to her fellow artists.

She showed Harry Styles major support throughout the evening by excitedly jumping up and down as he scored multiple wins, including Album of the Year. The two were seen snapping a ton of pics together and cheering each other on after their performances.

The singer was spotted snapping selfies with Harry Styles.

Lizzo also couldn’t seem to help herself from fangirling over Beyoncé before and after giving the “Crazy in Love” singer a shoutout in her acceptance speech.

“I won,” Lizzo later wrote on Instagram, sharing snaps of herself posing with Beyoncé and her awards show bestie Adele.

Beyoncé arrived fashionably late to the awards show.

CBS via Getty Images

Speaking of Beyoncé, the crowd went absolutely wild when she finally entered the venue fashionably late in a shimmering metallic dress.

Page Six reported earlier Sunday that the “Cuff It” singer missed her first win of the night – for Best R&B Song – due to being stuck in heavy LA traffic.

The songstress nabbed multiple wins Sunday night.

CBS via Getty Images

The songstress also received a standing ovation from what appeared to be the entire crowd – including those who were seated at the very top of the venue – after crushing the record for most Grammy wins ever.

Celebs at the front of the stage immediately flocked to her side to give her hugs and tell her congratulations as she made her way down the stairs and back to her seat.

Machine Gun Kelly was everybody’s buddy during commercial breaks.

During commercial breaks, Page Six spotted plenty of celebs mingling, especially Machine Gun Kelly, who seemed to be everybody’s buddy.

The “Bloody Valentine” rocker was constantly out of his seat, chatting it up and saying hello to nearly every artist in the VIP crowd, including rap legend Jay-Z.

The rocker was accompanied by his fiancée, Megan Fox.

Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Meanwhile, the rocker’s fiancée, Megan Fox, stayed seated at the couple’s table for most of the show after revealing one night prior that she had broken her wrist and suffered from a concussion.

The actress did not share any further details about the incident on social media but appeared to be in good spirits at the Grammys with MGK. However, unlike their usual appearances at awards shows, the lovebirds didn’t show much PDA in the crowd.

Taylor Swift reunited with ex Harry Styles at the annual awards show.

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One of the highlights of the evening was seeing famous exes Taylor Swift and Harry Styles reunite in public again. Page Six saw the two interacting a few times throughout the duration of the show and they appeared to be friendly and supportive of one another.

At one point, we spotted Swift – chic in a bedazzled Roberto Cavalli look – approach Styles’ table during a commercial break. The “Midnights” singer even patted Styles on the back, seemingly to tell him congratulations, before returning to her own seat next to producer Jack Antonoff.

And while Swift was a dancing diva all night long, we caught her pulling out her best awards show moves as Styles performed “As It Was” from his Grammy-winning “Harry’s House” album.

She jumped right out of her seat shortly after the song began and was the only one at her table standing up and vibing along to the catchy track.

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Grammy 2023 snubs and surprises, from Beyoncé to Taylor Swift

Somehow after Beyoncé became the winningest artist in Grammy history with 32 gramophones, she still managed to come off as a loser — yet again — when Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House” won Album of the Year over B’s “Renaissance.”

But — deep breath — how could Beyoncé still not have an Album of the Year gramophone after four nominations, when she should already have at least two?

Her game-changing surprise self-titled set lost to Beck’s “Morning Phase” in 2015, and “Lemonade” — one of the best albums of the century — bowed out to Adele’s “25” in 2017.

But the Queen B wasn’t the only artist to get snubbed — or pull a surprise — at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Here, we look back on some of the other major shockers on music’s biggest night.

Beyonce became the winningest artist of the Grammys with her 32nd award tonight — but that fact wasn’t enough to beat Harry Styles for Album of the Year.

Snub: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift took home an award for Best Music Video, but was shut out of both Song of the Year and Best Country Song.

Yes, T-Swizzle — who dutifully showed up to the awards even though she (and everybody else) knows that 2024 is really her year— won Best Music Video for “All Too Well: The Short Film,” she failed to pick up gramophones for either Song of the Year or Best Country Song for the tunes that were nominated for her re-recorded versions of “Red” and “I Bet You Think About Me.” While this has been a great move for Swift from a principal and pocketbook standpoint, it’s not exactly what the Record Academy wants to award yet with so much truly new music out there.

Surprise: Bonnie Raitt

A shocked Bonnie Raitt takes in the applause.

Who doesn’t love Bonnie Raitt? But when you’re competing against the likes of Adele, Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift and Lizzo — all superstars at the top of their game — it just doesn’t make any kind of sense that the 73-year-old would win Song of the Year for “Just Like That” — a tune that most people (like, almost everybody) haven’t even heard.

Surprise: Muni Long

Sorry, who? Muni Long beat out legend Mary J. Blige — among other big names — for Best R&B Performance.

Um…who is Muni Long? Well, hopefully the world will get hip to this R&B singer-songwriter after she beat out not only Grammy winners Mary J. Blige and Jazmine Sullivan but Beyoncé — let’s repeat that, Beyoncé — for Best R&B Performance for “Hrs & Hrs.” Proof that the Grammys are not, indeed, rigged — expect to see her streams go through the roof tomorrow.

Snub: Mary J. Blige

Something is wrong with a system that shuts out Mary J. Blige, who deserved to win for her album “Good Morning Gorgeous.”

Wait a minute — so Mary J. Blige, the indisputable Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, was nominated for Album of the Year for “Good Morning Gorgeous” for only the second time in her career (after 2005’s “The Breakthrough”), she lost out to neo-jazzman Robert Glasper — a worthy winner in his own right — for “Black Radio III.” But when you are nominated for Album of the Year and you can’t even win in your own genre category — especially a deserving diva such as MJB — something is wrong with the system.

Surprise: Madonna

Madonna presented the much ballyhooed performance of “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras.

When you’re the Queen of Pop, you only step out to present awards when it really means something to you. And after all of her work and representation for the LGBTQ community over the years, Madonna sure was the perfect person to present the performance of non-binary artist Sam Smith and trans singer Kim Petras — who had already become the first trans performer to win a Grammy when their “Unholy” won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance earlier in the night. Certainly, it made sense that Madonna is reminding folks about her own impact last as a fierce LGBTQ ally as she gets set to launch her “The Celebration Tour” honoring her 40th anniversary in music later this year.

Surprise: Samara Joy

Bronx-born jazz singer Samara Joy was a surprise winner for Best New Artist at the Grammys on Sunday night.

It was a pretty open field for Best New Artist year, with no clear favorite among a motley crew that ranged from buzzy indie duo Wet Leg to Brazilian star Anitta. At the end of the day, the edge seemed to go Italian glam rockers Maneskin for perfectly playing the industry game — and helping to revive a dying genre. But a 23-year-old jazz vocalist from The Bronx somehow, who has been compared to Sarah Vaughan, surprised everyone in one of the night’s biggest shockers.

Surprise: Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny opened the 2023 Grammys with a historic performance.

Was it going to be Adele? Was it going to be Harry Styles? Or was it going to be the ever-elusive Beyoncé opening the 65th annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena — opening the first time the show has been held in LA since COVID shut the world down? But the primo placement went to Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny, who made history with “Un Verano Sin Ti,” the first Spanish-language LP to be nominated for Album of the Year. Kicking off his medley of “El Apagon” and “Despues De La Playa,” he brought the fiesta through the audience — no social distancing in 2023! — Bad Bunny made up for his no-show at last November’s American Music Awards, where he was the top nominee. While he could have went a little harder on wardrobe — his white t-shirt and jeans made him look like he was still in rehearsals — he got the party started after a semi-slow start. His festive if somewhat chaotic performance got Taylor Swift, Jack Harlow and even 93-year-old Motown founder Berry Gordy out of their seats.

Surprise: Beyonce ties the record stuck in traffic

Nile Rogers (inset green) accepted Beyonce’s award for Best R&B Song (“Cuff It”).

When Beyoncé tied the record for the most Grammy wins ever, she was — in true diva fashion — late showing up to the awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

But seriously, CBS, weren’t they supposed to wait for her to arrive?

Still, when Viola Davis — who had already made history herself by becoming an EGOT by winning a Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling for the audio book of her memoir, “Finding Me” — presented the award for Best R&B Song to a no-show Beyoncé, who was apparently stuck in LA traffic, it was one of the all-time diva moments.

The legendary Nile Rodgers, who co-wrote and plays guitar on “Cuff It,” helped to make up for it with an emotional speech that made it all good.

Snub: Diana Ross

The 78-year-old Motown queen — who somehow has been underrated and underappreciated as an artist over a supreme six decades — had never won a competitive Grammy in her legendary career, despite 12 nominations. The streak sadly continued with her unlucky 13th nomination (Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Thank You”) on Sunday night.

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Graeme Drendel wins Australian portrait prize after ironic twist

The winner of Australia’s richest portrait prize — one of the most coveted in the Australian artistic world — has been revealed.

Victorian artist Graeme Drendel claimed the $150,000 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for 2022 for his portrait of fellow artist Lewis Miller, in Sydney on Wednesday.

In an ironic twist, Lewis Miller’s own portrait of Mr. Drendel was also selected as one of the 30 finalists for the prize.

Mr. Drendel was a competition finalist in both 2021 and 2017 and an Archibald Prize finalist in 2018.

Victorian artist Graeme Drendel claimed the $150,000 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for 2022.

DAN HIMBRECHTS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Australian art historian and museum administrator Gerard Vaughan AM and Peter Moran, representing the Moran Arts Foundation, judged this year’s prize.

They were joined by Lucy Culliton, one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists.

“The portrait has everything I was looking for: a freshness of paint, a likeness of the subject. The eyes meet the viewer,” Ms. Culliton said of Mr. Drendel’s painting.

“The palette of colours used is subtle but mixed in good skin colours.

Lewis Miller’s own portrait of Drendel was also selected as one of the 30 finalists for the prize.

“Interestingly when we viewed the paintings in real life, although I knew the painting was small, I was surprised at how small the portrait was.”

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