The women who rocked the 2016 Academy Awards

Cheryl Boone Isaacs

This year's nominee lists sparked widespread criticism about the lack of diversity of those recognized, culminating in a protest led by Rev. Al Sharpton the night of the big event. After host Chris Rock lobbed some pretty awesome jokes about diversity, Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs addressed the issue head on, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.  and promising to take "dramatic" steps to do better: "I am confident that together we can shape a future of which all of us can be proud."

Brie Larson

The first-time golden girl took home an Oscar for her heart wrenching turn in Room (written by Irish-Canadian author Emma Donoghue) and also managed to squeeze in a shoutout to the Toronto International Film Festival during her acceptance speech. Give her a visa already!

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

The Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker won her second Oscar for her short documentary on honour killings, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness. The film follows 18-year-old Saba, who survived being shot in the head and left for dead.


 


 

Mad Max and Jenny Beavan

Mad Max: Fury Road, with its kick-ass female-heavy cast, took home the most awards by winning six out of 10 categories it was nominated in. Costume designer Jenny Beavan raised some (male) eyebrows when she rose to collect her prize and showed off a studded leather jacket and pants. Reminder: It’s 2016.

Assault survivors

Lady Gaga gave a moving performance of her song she co-wrote for a documentary on rape on college campuses, “Til It Happens to You.” She shared the stage with sexual assault survivors — together they drew a standing ovation.


 


 


 

The Girl Scouts of America

Chris Rock was feeling some dad guilt about missing “most of Girl Scout cookie season” due to his Oscars overtime, so he brought his daughters (and their troupe) out into the millionaire-filled audience to sell their treats. The Scouts raised over $65,000, and Julianne Moore got her very own box of Thin Mints. So everybody won.

Angela Bassett

Bassett prerecorded a hilarious bit celebrating Jack Black for a “Black History Month Minute” — all while looking AMAZING. She’s 57, in case you were wondering.

Rachel McAdams

She may not have clinched the Best Actress in a Supporting Role statue, but McAdams’ film, Spotlight, took home Best Picture. Also, if there was a category for Best Awards Season Fashion Judgment, she’d have nabbed that, no question.

Cate Blanchett, fairy princess

The ethereal Best Actress nominee — and, fittingly, a presenter for Best Costume — is officially the only person in the world who can wear the hell out of seafoam and floral appliqués. We are not worthy.

Acrobat lady

Canadian artist The Weeknd has a mighty smooth falsetto, but during his performance of the Oscar-nominated song “Earned It,” our attention was stolen by the aerial contortionist giving him a high-flying assist in the background.

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