Overview
- The Academy’s Board of Governors honored Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas in Los Angeles on Nov. 16.
- Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, with multiple reports noting she did not attend in person due to health issues.
- Ariana Grande walked the carpet in vintage Dior in her first public red‑carpet outing since last week’s ambush in Singapore; outlets report the man involved was charged with public nuisance.
- The red carpet drew a deep bench of contenders and stars, from Jennifer Lawrence and Sydney Sweeney to Jennifer Lopez, Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio and Dwayne Johnson.
- Fashion coverage cast the event as the unofficial kickoff to the 2026 Oscars season, highlighting standout looks and noting the Irving G. Thalberg Award was not presented this year.