8 Infographics to Get You Ready for the Oscars

Sean Griffis
Feb 20, 2015

It’s hard to believe awards season is already winding down — it seems like we were just watching the Golden Globes. When the parties and fashion kept chugging along for the SAG Awards + Grammys, we thought for a minute we’d be getting an awards ceremony every weekend of 2015. Sadly, the last big event for awhile is hitting us Sunday night (which we’re a *little* excited about, FYI). That event is the belle of the awards ball, so to speak — The Academy Awards.

While we know all the basics: Neil Patrick Harris as host (GL beating the selfie, dude!), the nominees for each category and style predictions, there are a lot of things we have no idea about when it comes to the Oscars. So grab a tub of popcorn + your fave party cocktail and indulge in some in-depth Academy Award infographics below to guarantee you’ll be the go-to pop culture source come Sunday.

1. “Best Actress Oscar Dresses”: Remember how much more you loved the dress of the winner of Best Actress every year? Now you can have a complete timeline — from 1929! — of every single gown worn to the podium. We’ve got one request: Can we get a Best Supporting Actress version, because we need that Nairobi blue Lupita gown in illustration form. (via The Big Group)

2. “Best Picture Nominees as Pie Charts”: Yep, Vulture broke down all eight Best Picture nominees into pie charts to better examine them (naturally). So much analysis, even more color. Who knew Whiplash was so similar to Ratatouille? See all eight charts here. (via Vulture)

3. “The Academy Awards by the Numbers”: We know you’ve always been curious about the anatomy of the actual award, the change in length of the ceremony (15 minutes vs. 3+ hours!) and just how many nominations Meryl Streep actually has. Thanks to Fandango, all the essential fun facts are provided in this info-efficient graphic. You go, Meryl! (via Fandango)

4. “Book-to-Movie Adaptations”: Six adaptations are up for Oscars this weekend, and they’ve all got rich backstories (and box offices). We’ll have to wait until Sunday’s ceremony to see which literary-based film comes out on top of the book pile. (via BookBub)

5. “Oscars by the Numbers”: This infographic is filled with box office receipts for the year’s highest- and lowest-grossing Best Picture nominees, a sad fact about BTS noms for women (WTF, zero?!), how many nominations superhero movies captured this year and an amusing age comparison between Meryl Streep (aka Queen of the Oscars) and Emma Stone. (via MTV News)

6. “Oscars Fun Facts: Nominations + Hosts”: How much does an Oscar Statuette weigh? When did the sealed envelopes become a thing? How much edible gold is consumed? Which films hold the record for most nominations ever? Who has won the most Oscars? Who has hosted the most? These are just some of the hard-hitting questions this informative chart highlights. (via Astro Awani)

7. “Career Highs + Lows for Oscar Nominees'”: It’s always interesting to see the trajectory of a movie star’s career before and after they are nominated for (and sometimes win) an Oscar. They’re always hit + miss, and that’s exactly what these graphics highlight for this year’s Best Actor nominees + Best Actress nominees. We’re not alone when we say we kinda loved Mamma Mia, right? (via CTV News)

8. “Figuring Out the Oscars”: A major studio shells out an estimated $15 million for a Best Picture campaign, a 30-second commercial during the ceremony costs $1.65 million, the red carpet is 500 feet x 33 feet. These are the facts you’ll learn from this infographic, and they’re kinda making our jaws drop. (via Metro.co.uk)

Confident you’re filled with Oscar knowledge ahead of this Sunday’s ceremony now? Let us know the fact(s) you’ll be sharing in the comments.

(Feature photo via Kevork Djansezian/Getty)

8 Surprising Red Carpet Couples We Totally Forgot About

When any red carpet rolls around, there are certain couples we can pretty much always count on to show up looking cuter than ever. John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, Eddie Redmayne and his wife Hannah Bagshawe, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend… But anyone who’s ever seen a tabloid knows that celebrity couples often have a relatively short lifespan. And so when we decided to look back at the red carpet couples of the past, we rediscovered a whole bunch of duos we totally forgot ever existed. These stars are incredible on their own, but even more powerful together. Scroll on down to take a look at all the now-Hollywood exes who made us do a double take.

Juliette Lewis + Brad Pitt

Vinnie Zuffante/Archive Photos/Getty Images

We tend to think of Angelina and Jennifer as Brad’s two big loves, but before them (and Gwyneth) came Juliette Lewis. The two dated for four years when they were both on the cusp of total stardom. These two just might be tied with Johnny Depp and Kate Moss as the most ’90s couple that’s ever existed.

Michael Jackson + Brooke Shields

Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

A budding supermodel and a global pop sensation? It’s kind of a Hollywood match made in heaven, just like Brooke's curls. That dress on the other hand? We’re not so sure.

Matthew Broderick + Jennifer Grey

Vinnie Zuffante/TriStar/Getty Images

As much as we’d like to believe Sarah Jessica Parker was Matthew Broderick’s one and only, this couple makes a lot of sense. The two were both the main characters in epic teen ’80s movies – we’ll just forget about the fact that they played brother and sister in one of them…

Jake Gylenhaal + Reese Witherspoon

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Dang, why didn’t this couple work out again? Oh right, probably because that much wonderfulness packed into one couple would make the world explode. But they sure did look good together!

Drew Barrymore + Corey Feldman

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

Feldman once said that his first date with Drew was arranged by her mother when she was 10 and he was 14, because apparently Barrymore had a huge crush on him. They later dated briefly (this time for real) in 1989, when Drew was a teenager. Unfortunately, he was heavily into drugs during that time and she was trying to stay sober after multiple stints in rehab, so it didn’t last long.

Winona Ryder + Christian Slater

New World Pictures/Getty Images

Here’s to hoping this relationship ended a little more amicably than it did for their Heathers characters.

Julia Roberts + Kiefer Sutherland

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

It was supposed to be one of the biggest Hollywood weddings ever, and then all of a sudden, Julia called it off. Tragic. At least we have this red carpet moment to remember the couple by.

Stacy Keibler + George Clooney

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Now that Amal is in the picture, it’s hard to imagine George with anyone else. But before that British vision of elegance came Stacy Keibler, the stunning professional wrestler and George’s beau for two years.

Who’s your favorite throwback red carpet couple? Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo.

This post has been updated.

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Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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16 Oscar Party Dessert Ideas For Your Hollywood-Themed Soirée

The only thing that can improve our Oscars party is dessert. Little sweets are the bomb, probably because they trick us into feeling less guilty than we do after eating a huge slice of triple-chocolate layer cake (not that there's anything wrong with treating yourself once in a while). From colorful popcorn to chic cake pops, check out these 16 desserts that are just as gorgeous as the stars themselves.

Popcorn Cupcakes

Nope, those aren’t actually mini tubs of popcorn. How adorable are these cupcakes?! We can’t wait to start making these for every movie night ever. (via ‘A Casarella)

Walk of Fame Brownies

Daydream about having your own star on the Walk of Fame while eating a brownie version. So simplistic, yet so perfect. (via Sweet Designs)

Pink Champagne Cake Pops

These dainty champagne cake pops are perfect for a mini celebration when your favorite actor wins. Check out that edible glitter! (via Sweetapolita)

Cookie Awards

These are definitely the best statuette cookies we've ever seen. Add a bit of sparkle to them or don't! Either way, they'll definitely feel at home on your Oscar night. (via Bakerella)

Mini Coconut Cream Pies

Give your get together a tropical feel with some bite-sized coconut cream lovelies. These are easy as pie to make. (Pun intended.) (via Country Cleaver)

Brownie Popcorn Bags

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so express your love for this staple movie snack by creating these awesome brownies! (via Bakerella)

Organic Macarons

What's that you say? You want something tasty and classic? Oh, these macarons are the perfect pick. (via Kristi Murphy)

Caramel Apple Trifles

How beautiful are these? Not only are trifles a perfect way to get a bunch of flavors into one dish, but this one features one of America's favorite combinations: apple and caramel. (via Bakers Royale)

White Chocolate Tuxedo Cheesecake

As Barney Stinson would say, suit up! Or rather, tux up! These cute cheesecakes are just small enough to for you to enjoy the creamy flavors of cheesecake, but not get sick of it. (via Bakers Royale)

No-Bake Tiramisu Parfait

Having a hard time staying up to watch the end of the show? No problem: just eat one of these mini Tiramisu parfaits. (via Hummingbird High)

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Lemon

This easy panna cotta recipe'll have you feeling like Giada in no time. (via Ella Claire)

Awards Night Cookies

While watching the red carpet arrivals, we can't help but feel a bit jealous that we don't get to dress up and strike a pose with the stars. But what you can do is make these super well-dressed cookies. It's sort of the same, right? (via Sweet Sugarbelle)

Cake Batter Popcorn

Popcorn is the movie food, so it only makes sense for it to make an appearance on Oscar night. Better yet, a sprinkle-filled appearance! (via Tasty Kitchen)

French 75 Jell-o Shots

Who said Jell-o shots couldn't be elegant and pretty too? This is a great way to occupy your fam during that acceptance speech that just never seems to end. (via Bakers Royale)

Pie Pops

Hey, nobody said dessert pops were only for cake! We love our apples (hey, anything to keep the doctor away), so we might as well incorporate them into our party as well. (via Zoom Yummy)

Chocolate Mousse Brownie Shots

Don't worry — these classy brownie shots are perfectly safe for your chocoholic kiddo to enjoy. (via Betty Crocker)

Which tiny dessert will make a cameo appearance at your home this year? Tag us in your creations @BritandCo and check out our Oscars page for more!

This post has been updated from a previous post.

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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