By the time BVN has published this article, the Kodak Theatre on Sunset and Highland in Hollywood will have been restored back to a pumpkin. A golden statue named Oscar will have disappeared along with all of his magnificent, ceremonial starpower and glitter. I have never attended the Academy Awards, by design due to in the past many people of color have not been recognized so why bother. However, in the last few years since, People Magazine featured a front-page story on the “black out”, the Academy of Motion Pictures Art and Sciences has begun the process of changing their ways.
These days the Academy Awards celebration causes a magically hoopla that is felt around the entire globe and African American star power is being recognized and celebrated for their achievements in the cinema as well.
This year, I did not go, but I did chose to get involved with the opening week’s preparation activities of Oscar set-up. I was sort of scoping things out.
The bombardment of media alerts peaked my interest, so I joined in on the set-up festivities. The activities in and around Hollywood and Highland Center and the Kodak Theatre, Monday through Sunday, from food tastings to the hair and makeup symposium, to the official Governor Ball set-up were in themselves simply amazing.
True, to all I had heard over the years, the Academy Awards really is the premiere Hollywood celebration.
There are hundreds and hundreds of behind the scene individuals, who make this special Hollywood celebration a memorable success. These individuals come from all walks of life.
One such individual is Keith Anthony. He is an Academy Awards rehearsal actor stand in.
In this role, Keith is a fill in for any particular celebrity. He does whatever is required or needed, sings or dance, or gives a few minute acceptance speeches. He has played this role for the Academy for 22 years, which includes being a voice over actor.
The security on the set and red carpet was very heavy, so I can imagine what it looked like on the actual event day, March 7th, when Hollywood’s royalty paraded down the red carpet before millions of television viewers.
I guess it was appropriate for me to start my journey to the Academy Awards with Oscar setup.
It meant a great deal for me to see the action behind the scenes and to imagine what it is like in the most beautiful dress to attend such an affair as a nominated actress. This year, comedian and television host Monique won an Oscar for her outstanding performance in the movie “Precious” as Mary Jones. Since the entire on stage and back stage scripts have been sent to me, enclosing I would like to share with our BVN readers a few points of what Monique had to say to the media backstage.
Monique was asked a question about the cruelty of Mary Jones, she replied, “For as cruel as Mary Jones was, for the monster that she was, everybody and I don't care who you are and what crime you've committed, everybody deserves to be loved, even when they are unlovable.”
Another reporter asked her, “Monique, I want you to just share the story with the audience and the world that you shared with us on the red carpet about Hattie McDaniel. I don't think people out there really got it. Please explain the blue dress and the flower.” She said, “This is why I called your number, because I don't know how many people would have taken out the time to ask about that dynamic woman.
The reason why I have on this royal blue dress is because it's the color that Hattie McDaniel wore in 1940 when she accepted her Oscar. The reason why I have this gardenia in my hair, it is the flower that Hattie McDaniel wore when she accepted her Oscar. So, for you, Ms. Hattie McDaniel, I feel you all over me, and it's about time that the world feels you all over them. Thank you so much, baby. I love you.”
Congratulations, Monique and to all the winners for this year’s 82nd Academy Awards
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