The 2025 Oscars was the film industry’s night of nights — but not every magical moment made it to TV screens.
While acceptance speeches and glittering red carpet standouts stole the limelight on Sunday, March 2, at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, there were plenty of off-camera antics that Us Weekly caught firsthand.
A buzzing hub of talent, jitters and excitement, A-listers let their hair down as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded top honors to bold cinematic feats and the talents that helped bring them to life, including Adrien Brody in The Brutalist, Mikey Madison in Anora, Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain, Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez and more.
From long-awaited reunions, like a sweet moment between Vicky Christina Barcelona’s Penélope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson, and the surprise 2003 Oscars kiss recreation between Halle Berry and Brody, 51, to cozy catch ups everywhere you looked, the behind-the-scenes action rivalled all the entertainment happening up on stage.
As for the triumphs that got the crowd talking, the love was spread right throughout the nominations list with winners including Anora in the categories of Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, Concave winning in the category of Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Cinematography going to The Brutalist.
Wicked was also recognised, both in a showstopping opening medley performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and with the awards for Best Costume and Best Production Design.
Scroll down for more of the 2025 Oscars scene stealers you didn’t catch on TV:
Sebastian Stan and Annabelle Wallis Are Couple Goals
The couple were spotted kissing at The Hollywood Roosevelt before Wallis, 40, told Stan, 42, said, “I love you babe, good luck.” Stan’s mother joined the pair, who began dating in 2022, and looked incredibly proud of her son who was nominated for his role in The Apprentice. The group were waiting for a car to collect them.
Monica Barbaro Entered Right After Andrew Garfield
Despite avoiding one another inside the event, Garfield, 41, arrived with his mother and wider team just moments before A Complete Unknown star, Barbaro, 34, entered the 2025 Oscars. The pair are rumored to be dating.
Penélope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson Shared a Lovely Reunion
The Vicky Christina Barcelona costars bumped into one another on the red carpet, gripping hands as they caught up and smiled warmly at each other.
Mikey Madison Made Time For Her Fans
The Best Actress winner was seen saying hello to a fan, who asked Madison, 25, whether or not she was having fun at the event. Madison, who starred in Anora, told the fan, “Yes, I’m having so much fun!”
Georgina Chapman Was a Pillar of Support For Adrien Brody
Chapman, 48, was seen making Brody laugh at the bar. The loved-up pair cracked up together despite Brody looking a bit nervous prior to his win. The actor appeared to be drinking tequila on the rocks, while Chapman sipped on a white wine.
Gal Gadot and Rita Wilson Just Clicked
The Wonder Woman 1984 star, 39, and Wilson, 68, were spotted introducing themselves to one another before saying cheers over drinks. Gadot was drinking a white wine and the duo chatted as they waited to enter the ceremony.
Wilson was also seen approaching Jeremy Strong in a private waiting area a little later and the pair struck up a conversation prior to entering the ceremony.
Karla Sofia Gascón Was In Good Spirits
The actress, 52, was approached by many people and gave out a lot of hugs. She appeared to be really happy and shared a huge smile with the room. She also made her way to the bar with a group of people around her, while others tried to photograph her and stop her for selfies.
Emma Stone Has Margaret Qualley’s Back
Stone, 36, was seen picking up Margaret Qualley’s dress at one stage of the evening, asking if she needed her help. Qualley, 30, let her know she was fine before the pair chatted at the bar and enjoyed a drink together. Qualley and husband Jack Antonoff both hung out with Stone and her husband, Dave McCary.
Ariana Grande’s Mom is Her No. 1 Fan
Grande’s beaming mother, Joan Grande, was seen holding a glass of white wine in the lobby bar as she enjoyed the event.
The Best Actress Award Shocked the Room
When Madison was announced as the winner of the Best Actress award, many people in the lobby bar gasped and even shouted out loud with surprise. (Demi Moore was widely considered the category’s favorite after taking out wins at this season’s Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice awards and Screen Actors Guild awards.)
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Left Together
The pair, who were seen whispering after Culkin, 42, took out the award for Best Actor, exited together as Chalamet kept a close hold of Jenner, 27. They managed to stop multiple times to take photos with fans and there was a huge rush of people trying to take further photos of them.
With reporting by Amanda Williams
