Oscar's Elite Squad: Berry, Cruz Lead Star-Studded Presenter Lineup Amid Controversy

Max Sterling, 2/11/2025This year's Oscars feature a star-studded presenter lineup, including Halle Berry and Penélope Cruz, amid brewing controversies like the "Emilia Pérez" social media scandal and AI discussions surrounding "The Brutalist." The evolving industry embraces both tradition and modernity as Netflix leads nominations.

The ceremony — helmed for the first time by late-night veteran Conan O'Brien — is shaping up to be a fascinating collision of old-guard glamour and contemporary controversy. This year's presenter lineup feels particularly poignant, featuring a remarkable concentration of Oscar-decorated talent. Berry, Cruz, and recent winners Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Emma Stone bring their golden credentials to the stage — a move that seems designed to inject gravitas into a ceremony that's increasingly fighting for cultural relevance.

But beneath the glittering surface, this year's Oscar season is churning with controversy. "Emilia Pérez" leads the pack with 13 nominations, though its momentum has been dampened by a social media scandal surrounding star Karla Sofía Gascón. Meanwhile, "The Brutalist" finds itself ensnared in an AI controversy — a thoroughly modern predicament that would have been unimaginable in Hollywood's golden age.

The nominations landscape reveals an industry in flux. Netflix's dominance — securing 16 nominations — signals the streaming giant's continued evolution from disruptor to establishment player. The best picture category presents a fascinatingly diverse slate, from "Dune: Part Two" to "Nickel Boys," suggesting an Academy increasingly willing to embrace both spectacle and substance.

This year's ceremony maintains its earlier 4 p.m. PT start time — a practical concession to modern viewing habits that would have seemed sacrilegious just a few years ago. It's a reminder that even the most tradition-bound institutions must adapt or risk irrelevance.

The expanded presenter list — including the delightfully eclectic additions of Whoopi Goldberg, Amy Poehler, and "SNL" standout Bowen Yang — suggests an Oscar ceremony striving to balance prestige with populist appeal. Yang's presence, fresh from helping announce this year's nominations, represents a welcome injection of contemporary comedy credentials into the proceedings.

With 220 individuals now officially in the running for Hollywood's highest honors, this year's Academy Awards emerges as a compelling snapshot of an industry in transition — wrestling with technological disruption, evolving audience expectations, and the eternal challenge of maintaining relevance while honoring tradition. The red carpet may roll out half an hour before showtime, but the real drama has already begun.

In a dazzling display of Hollywood star power, the Academy has unveiled its latest roster of Oscar presenters — a lineup that reads like a who's who of cinema royalty, with Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, and Scarlett Johansson leading the charge. The announcement arrives as the entertainment industry gears up for what promises to be an intriguingly complex awards season.The ceremony — helmed for the first time by late-night veteran Conan O'Brien — is shaping up to be a fascinating collision of old-guard glamour and contemporary controversy. This year's presenter lineup feels particularly poignant, featuring a remarkable concentration of Oscar-decorated talent. Berry, Cruz, and recent winners Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Emma Stone bring their golden credentials to the stage — a move that seems designed to inject gravitas into a ceremony that's increasingly fighting for cultural relevance.But beneath the glittering surface, this year's Oscar season is churning with controversy. "Emilia Pérez" leads the pack with 13 nominations, though its momentum has been dampened by a social media scandal surrounding star Karla Sofía Gascón. Meanwhile, "The Brutalist" finds itself ensnared in an AI controversy — a thoroughly modern predicament that would have been unimaginable in Hollywood's golden age.The nominations landscape reveals an industry in flux. Netflix's dominance — securing 16 nominations — signals the streaming giant's continued evolution from disruptor to establishment player. The best picture category presents a fascinatingly diverse slate, from "Dune: Part Two" to "Nickel Boys," suggesting an Academy increasingly willing to embrace both spectacle and substance.This year's ceremony maintains its earlier 4 p.m. PT start time — a practical concession to modern viewing habits that would have seemed sacrilegious just a few years ago. It's a reminder that even the most tradition-bound institutions must adapt or risk irrelevance.The expanded presenter list — including the delightfully eclectic additions of Whoopi Goldberg, Amy Poehler, and "SNL" standout Bowen Yang — suggests an Oscar ceremony striving to balance prestige with populist appeal. Yang's presence, fresh from helping announce this year's nominations, represents a welcome injection of contemporary comedy credentials into the proceedings.With 220 individuals now officially in the running for Hollywood's highest honors, this year's Academy Awards emerges as a compelling snapshot of an industry in transition — wrestling with technological disruption, evolving audience expectations, and the eternal challenge of maintaining relevance while honoring tradition. The red carpet may roll out half an hour before showtime, but the real drama has already begun.