Why Was a Champagne Carpet Laid at the Oscars for the First Time in 62 Years?

Jimmy Kimmel "Confidence That No Blood Will Be Shed"

Oscar broke away from the traditional red carpet for the first time in 62 years. This year, the American Academy Awards venue was covered with a champagne carpet instead of a red carpet.

On the morning of the 13th (Korean time, afternoon of the 12th local time), the 95th Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles (LA), USA.

Rihanna attending the Academy Awards
Photo by REUTERS and Yonhap News

Traditionally, filmmakers attending the Academy Awards dress in gowns and tuxedos and walk the red carpet before the main event. This started at the 33rd Academy Awards in 1961 when attendees began stepping onto the red carpet to enter the ceremony.

On the champagne carpet that day, actors Yang Zichong (Yang Ziqing) and Fan Bingbing displayed elegant appearances, and Rihanna, who is pregnant with her second child, attracted attention in a full-term black dress. Nicole Kidman received the spotlight with a passionate kiss with her husband.

Host Jimmy Kimmel said, "The decision to go with a champagne carpet instead of a red carpet shows our confidence that there will be no bloodshed." The organizers explained, "We wanted a soft color like a sunset beach."

Kimmel, the host of ABC's flagship talk show 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' took on the role of Oscar host for the third time, following 2017 and 2018.

Jimmy Kimmel, who took the stage that day, began by saying, "Everyone must be safe and stay safe." He then joked, "If anyone commits violence during the ceremony, they will be given 90 minutes to speak." He also referenced last year's incident involving actor Will Smith assaulting Chris Rock, saying, "If you get angry listening to what I say and come after me, many people will stop you."

Jimmy Kimmel on the stage of the Academy Awards ceremony
Photo by REUTERS·Yonhap News

He added, "I have to deal with Yang Zichong, Spider-Man, and Mandalorian," and joked, "I also have to deal with Guillermo, who is like my right hand." The actors in the audience responded with applause.

Will Smith's assault was recorded as the worst incident in the history of the traditional Academy Awards. At last year's ceremony, Chris Rock, who was presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature, made a joke about Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Angered by the joke about his wife's shaved head, Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock's cheek. He shouted, "Don't put my wife's name in your mouth," before leaving the stage. Will Smith later won Best Actor for the film 'Richard King' and apologized.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which organizes the Academy (Oscar) Awards, banned Will Smith from attending for 10 years. Although it is a tradition for the previous year's winner to participate as a presenter the following year, Will Smith was not invited to this year's ceremony.