Emily Patterson

Hollywood! The place where How- dreams come true and stars are ever, born, but the accuracy of this statement is tested as each year goes by in Hollywood. In cinema, award shows present movie stars with a symbol of success, but does the audience viewing it still care? Year after year, viewership on award shows has slowly depleted. The Oscars, for example, have almost cut their views in half over the past decade, going from 43 million viewers in 2014 to 23.6 million viewers this past month according to CBS News. This decline raises many questions viewers may have for the academy.

Various elements contribute to the whole that the Oscars are. The preparation celebrities put into the fashion, hairdos, red carpet, interviews, glam bots and speeches is crazy to think about. For those watching at home, are these aspects why they watch, or is it genuinely to see who wins the best movie? Fashion in America has been exceptional over the past decade; you see ensembles that would never even occur to your mind on that red carpet. However, even with new outfit inventions, one will also see iconic glams reused.

Sydney Sweeney, best known for her role as Cassie in “Euphoria,” wore a gown to this year’s Academy Awards that Angelina Jolie, a widely known actress, originally wore to the Academy Awards in 2004. When Jolie was gracing the carpet that night, she decided to go with a pinned back hairstyle to accentuate her razor-sharp jawline and to expose her neck full of jewels. Sweeney made the identical choice in jewelry, as she decked herself out in the same necklaces. However, she took creative freedom in her hairstyle, mimicking Marilyn Monroe’s iconic short, blonde bob.

This is one small example that brings up the age-old discussion about how Hollywood today is just mimicking Hollywood in its prime. This discussion brings up a fun debate for viewers to decide who wore it better. What do you think: Jolie or Sweeney?

We cannot deny the fact that the Oscars have been packed with dramatic events as well. Who could forget the infamous slap Will Smith laid on Chris Rock’s cheek back at the Academy Awards in 2022? Just about everyone in America from the talented actors in the audience to the TV watchers on their couch were hit even harder with shock.

The theory that came from this event is that the incident could have been a ploy to get views fabricated by producers. Pretty awkward scene just for a few extra bucks. Consequently, Will Smith got banned from the Oscars for 10 years because of his impulsive actions. At this point, it is up to the viewer to interpret.

Along with A-list celebrities, a new group of fame has been added to the guest lists at award shows. Influencers have made their splash in society through their online presence on social media, and have gained the likes of millions throughout generations of people. Although inviting these people could be another way to gain views for the show, it creates an interest for a younger demographic because they want to see their favorite TikTokers walk the red carpet alongside their favorite movie stars.

This could all be one big conspiracy theory, but it is thought provoking. It poses a question to ask yourself: do you watch award shows anymore? Why or why not?