By Rivea Ruff ·Updated March 28, 2022
With historic wins, saucy humor, surprise appearances, and unforgettable moments, the 2022 Academy Awards
The 2022 Academy Awards was one that winners, nominees, and viewers alike won’t soon forget.
With Will Packer in the driver’s seat as showrunner and Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer hosting, the show’s production skewed more inclusive and exciting this year, with performances from the likes of Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion surprising and delighting attendees. Hall’s humorous hijinks were a major standout, and monumental first-time wins for Will Smith, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, and Ariana DeBose cued viewers that these honors are keeping up with the progression of the film industry and diverse audience interests.
With the ceremony sure to be a hot topic on social for weeks to come, take a look at some of the most memorable melanated moments from the Academy’s big night.
01Beyoncé Opens The ShowThe Academy kicked off the evening’s festivities with a HUGE bang, with Beyoncé delivering a powerful and colorful performance of her Best Original Song nominee, “Be Alive” from the soundtrack to King Richard, live from the tennis courts in Compton where Venus & Serena trained to become tennis superstars. To cap it all off, Blue Ivy made a cameo among the dancers. 
02Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall Open The ShowThe ladies – introduced by DJ Khaled – kicked off the show with a hilarious opening set featuring standout digs at LeBron James and jokes with Samuel L. Jackson, among others. 
03Daniel Kaluuya and H.E.R. Take The StageLasy year’s Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Song winners from Judas and the Black Messiah graced the stage early in the show, with the songstress making sure to show off her brightly-colored gown and gorgeous natural hairstyle. 
04Ariana DeBose wins Best Supporting ActressThe actress became the first Afro-Latina, openly queer woman to win in the film industry’s highest honor for an actress in a supporting role. This is her season! 
05Regina Hall’s “COVID Protocols”In a hilarious gag, Regina called for eligible men out of the audience for a “random” testing measure – a PCR test she said would involve her swabbing their mouths with her own – even cheekily suggesting Will Smith come get entangled in the action as well. She also gave Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa a good “COVID patdown” on the way out for good measure. 
06Wesley Snipes, Rosie Perez, and Woody Harrelson ReuniteWith this year marking the 30th anniversary of their classic film White Men Can’t Jump, “Sidney,” “Gloria,” and “Billy” reunited to present the award for Best Cinematography at the 94th Annual Academy Awards. 
07Megan Thee Stallion Remixes EncantoBruno said it looked like rain…but it was actually Tina Snow, arriving on the scene to join the cast of Disney Pixar hit Encanto in an Oscars-reimagining of the infectious earworm Best Original Song nominee, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” She became the first-ever female rap performer in the history of the ceremony. 
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