With the 91st Academy Awards now in the rear-view mirror, there are a lot of stunning moments from Hollywood's biggest night to look back on and appreciate.
Lady Gaga, Rami Malek and Spike Lee all took home their first Oscars, with Lee literally jumping into dear friend Sam Jackson's arms after the big win.
(MORE: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper deliver emotional 'Shallow' performance at 2019 Oscars)Spike Lee jumping into @SamuelLJackson's arms after winning his first #Oscar is literal #FriendshipGoals. https://t.co/TLYl9ttHkN pic.twitter.com/Kz9NWEhvsJ
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
But the performances also were stellar, with Queen kicking things off with "We Will Rock You" and with Bette Midler later taking the stage to sing a nominated song from "Mary Poppins Returns."
And how about the pace of the show with no host, running just over three hours, with fewer jokes and skits and a greater focus on the movies themselves.
Here are the top 5 moments:
(MORE: Oscars 2019: 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' 'Green Book' lead the way with multiple awards)The performances 'rocked you'
Talk about an opening! Adam Lambert and Queen opened the show with "We Will Rock You," then moved into "We Are the Champions."
Relive @queenwillrock and @adamlambert's opening performance. #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/mGQrdJCuyZ
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 25, 2019
It was a moment of true chills when Lambert sung the iconic words, "no time for losers" because "we are the champions of the world."
But along with Queen, we got performances from Jennifer Hudson -- "I'll Fight" from "RBG," Bette Midler -- "The Place Where Lost Things Go" from "Mary Poppins Returns" -- and Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper -- "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born."
Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings also sang "When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings" from "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs."
(MORE: These celebs had the best reactions to Queen's Oscars performance)Literally living for this moment with Bradley Cooper and @ladygaga at the #Oscars right now. https://t.co/TLYl9tc5Wd pic.twitter.com/jiDYkW9dhw
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
The winners, moving speeches and more
It sure was an exciting show with some empowering victories. Regina King kicked it all off with best supporting actress for her role in "If Beale Street Could Talk."
On the actors' side, it was Rami Malek and Mahershala Ali’s year as both men took home best actor and supporting actor, respectively. And in the biggest category of all, best picture, "Green Book" stunned the crowd as it took home the last award of the evening.
(MORE: Oscars 2019: 'Green Book' wins best picture)Mahershala Ali gives an acceptance speech for his second Best Supporting Actor award.
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
He dedicated the award to his grandmother for her encouragement. "I would not be here without her." https://t.co/XQU450bcno pic.twitter.com/Nc1wqhBFWT
When Spike Lee won for adapted screenplay, he literally jumped into Sam Jackson's arms to celebrate his first win. He spoke about his grandmother, who put him through school, and his African-American ancestors, especially during Black History Month.
And the #Oscars winner is... pic.twitter.com/x03BJgsMIQ
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 25, 2019
When Lady Gaga won best original song for "Shallow," she thanked her sister, her co-star and director, Bradley Cooper, and finally she told people watching at home, "If you have a dream, fight for it!"
"It's about how many times you stand up and are brave," she added.
Well said, @ladygaga pic.twitter.com/LtcSl6NXDI
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 25, 2019
Rami Malek spoke about his father, who never got to see him act, and how he's looking down on him right now. He also spoke about being a first-generation American and "could not be more grateful to each and every one of you."
In a heartfelt speech, Oscar winner Rami Malek praises his mom, says he knows his dad is looking down on him, thanks Queen, and says the world "is longing for stories" about people being "unapologetically" themselves.
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
Watch the whole thing: https://t.co/XQU450bcno #Oscars pic.twitter.com/vXI7TZfuxJ
No host, no problem
In addition to Lambert and Queen opening the show, the first group to grace the stage was a special trio of funny ladies.
Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph stepped out to present outstanding supporting actress right after a short montage of 2018 films.
"We are not your hosts, but we are going to stand here a little too long," the ladies joked.
(MORE: Oscars 2019: Host-less show opens with Queen singing 'We Will Rock You'; funny ladies Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph)
They gave a mini monologue like a host may have delivered but with repeated jokes about not being the hosts for the night. They also riffed on President Donald Trump's wall and current events like the Fyre Festival, telling the audience to look under their seats for the infamous cheese sandwich from the failed music event. Then it was right into the nominees for best supporting actress.
This was a sign of things to come as the lack of a host paved the way for a quick, witty, powerful show.
There weren't many skits or dragged-out jokes, just a night celebrating the actors, actresses and films.
Serena Williams, John Lewis, Barbra Streisand and more
The Academy chose the likes of Serena Williams, John Lewis and Barbra Streisand as representatives outside the film industry to speak about the power of this year's eight best picture nominees.
"When we're young, we all have dreams of what we can accomplish in life," Williams said of "A Star Is Born."
The tennis icon also spoke about the highs and lows of stardom for the film's main character, played by Lady Gaga.
John Lewis received a standing ovation after he stepped out to talk about "Green Book."
Representative and civil rights icon John Lewis received a resounding ovation at the 2019 #Oscars. https://t.co/XQU450bcno pic.twitter.com/DwBV1EtQjQ
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
"I can bear witness that the portrait of that time and place in our history is very real," he said of his brothers and sisters "treated like second-class citizens."
"Our nation bears the scars of that time, as do I," he added.
Barbra Streisand had a humorous, yet powerful, story of how she connected with "BlacKkKlansman" director Spike Lee and how the two began an unlikely friendship over their love for the film ... and their hometown of Brooklyn.
(MORE: Spike Lee wins his first Oscar for 'BlacKkKlansman')'We're not worthy!'
Two more legends who made headlines Sunday night were Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, who brought back their "Wayne's World" characters to introduce "Bohemian Rhapsody" as a nominee for best picture.
It was fitting, as the movie ended up dominating the awards show with four wins.
So when's Waynes World 3 happening? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/MSxi27yYLo
— Tyler Calvert (@Tyler_Calvert23) February 25, 2019
They bowed down to Queen and yelled those classic words, "We're not worthy!"
We’re not worthy of a #WaynesWorld reunion. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ZXxdB8tMRL
— LightsCameraJackson (@LCJReviews) February 25, 2019
Fans on Twitter were quick to ask when "Wayne's World 3" would be happening. Hopefully it'll feature a cameo by Queen.
