Oscars 2022 live blog: How to watch the Academy Awards, news from the red carpet and more

The Covid-19 protocols in place

Guests will be required to show proof of vaccination and two negative Covid tests, The New York Times reported. But presenters and performers will not be required to be vaccinated. They just need to show proof that they have tested negative for the coronavirus.

That is, of course, a shift from last year’s April 25 show, which was relocated to Union Station, where the audience was just 170 people.

The real-life Williams family was an ‘integral part’ of ‘King Richard’

The international superstars Venus and Serena Williams received executive producer credits. Isha Price, one of their half sisters and a fellow executive producer, went to the set virtually every day and consulted on the story. Lyndrea Price, another half sister, served as a costumer and helped re-create the 1990s-era outfits and styles.

The key creative players behind the project always believed getting input from the real-life extended Williams family was essential, both for factual accuracy and emotional truthfulness, according to Trevor White, one of the producers.

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Ariana DeBose slays red carpet in captivating cape and pant suit

Ariana DeBose arrived at the Oscars wearing a captivating red paint suit paired up with a dramatic red cape. 

DeBose could make history tonight becoming the first Afro Latina and first openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award for acting. She’s nominated in the best supporting actress category for her performance reviving the iconic role of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s version of “West Side Story.” 

More show support for Ukraine on the red carpet

Jason Momoa wore a handkerchief with the colors of the Ukrainian flag, and Yoon Yeo-jeong had a blue ribbon pinned to her outfit.

The Academy Awards, by the numbers

Here’s a rundown of some of the notable numbers that have shaped the ceremony over the years.

• In the history of the awards, only two women have won the Oscar for directing: Chloé Zhao in 2021 for “Nomadland” and Kathryn Bigelow in 2010 for “The Hurt Locker.”
• Oscar nominees continue to be overwhelmingly white across the eight marquee categories. According to Insider, from 2011 to 2020, white people accounted for 79 percent to 98 percent of nominees across the best picture, best director, acting and writing categories. In 2020, the year “Parasite” won best picture, 85 percent of the nominees in those categories were white.
• Six ties have been recorded in Oscars history, most recently in 2013, when “Skyfall” tied with “Zero Dark Thirty” in the sound editing category.
• More than 90 movies have received 10 or more nominations.
• “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” the third installment of the fantasy series, pulled off the largest sweep in Oscars history, winning in all 11 categories in which it was nominated, including best picture.
• Fourteen nominations is the most any movie has received; three movies have done it: “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.”
• Seven movies have won both best actor and best actress awards. The last time that happened was with 1997’s “As Good As It Gets,” with Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson.
• Adrien Brody was the youngest person to earn the best actor Academy Award when he won for “The Pianist” in 2003, at 29. Marlee Matlin was the youngest person to earn the best actress Oscar when she won for “Children of a Lesser God” in 1987, at 21.

‘The ribbon is about the refugee crisis …’

Jamie Lee Curtis on the Oscars red carpet explained the “ribbon ring” she’s wearing to honor Ukrainian refugees. “The ribbon is about the refugee crisis,” Curtis said. “It’s an incredibly important moment given what’s happening in Ukraine, the displacement of human beings in the world. The exodus of human beings is a crucial story for our time right now.”

Curtis noted the importance of supporting nominated films that talk about displacement, such as “Flee” and “Encanto.”

Everything you need to know…

The hosts: Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall were officially named as the hosts last month — marking the first time the ceremony has had a host since Jimmy Kimmel took the stage in 2018.

The presenters: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences released its final slate of presenters Wednesday: Josh Brolin, Jacob Elordi, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Momoa, Jill Scott, J.K. Simmons, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Rachel Zegler (the “West Side Story” star’s fans were outraged after she initially shared on social media that she had not been invited).

The performers: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and Finneas, Reba McEntire and Sebastián Yatra will all perform their nominated songs.

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