A Night to Remember: Vanity Fair’s Oscars After-Party 2023
The 95th Academy Awards had just concluded, and the glitterati of Hollywood were ready to let loose at one of the most anticipated events of the night: Vanity Fair’s Oscars after-party. Held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, the party was a vibrant celebration of triumph, camaraderie, and unbridled fun. As the stars streamed in, the atmosphere was electric, with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses filling the air. Among the first to arrive was Zoe Saldana, who made a striking entrance, holding her best supporting actress Oscar in one hand and an In-N-Out burger in the other. It was a moment that encapsulated the spirit of the night—celebration and indulgence.
A History of Glamour and Celebration
Vanity Fair’s Oscars party is no ordinary after-party. It has a legacy that dates back to 1994, when it first debuted at Mortons steak house on Melrose, with just 100 guests, including Nancy Reagan and Gene Hackman. Over the years, the event has grown into one of the most sought-after tickets in town, rivaling even the Oscars themselves. Its evolution reflects the changing times and tastes of Hollywood, yet its essence remains unchanged—a place where the industry’s elite gather to celebrate, unwind, and bask in the glory of the night’s achievements. In 2009, the party moved to the Sunset Tower Hotel, and even after the departure of longtime editor-in-chief Graydon Carter in 2017, it continued to thrive under Radhika Jones, who this year greeted winners with warmth and wit, even practicing her Russian with the cast of Anora, the night’s best picture winner.
Fashion and Frivolity: The Party’s Unwritten Script
Fashion is always a cornerstone of the Vanity Fair party, and this year was no exception. The red carpet outside the venue was a spectacle in itself, with guests posing for photographers before stepping into the elaborately designed tents. Inside, the room was a tapestry of bold styles and daring choices. Megan Thee Stallion turned heads in a moss-green gown that left little to the imagination, complete with matching nipple covers, while Olivia Wilde opted for a lacy, net-like dress from Chloé that was equal parts ethereal and provocative. Zoë Kravitz, meanwhile, wore a black gown with a sheer panel that left just the right amount of mystery. Not everyone played it safe, however. Sarah Paulson’s asymmetric Marc Jacobs dress featured unusual, pillowy protrusions that sparked both admiration and confusion. By the end of the night, Paulson had ditched her heels and was dancing barefoot to AC/DC’s Highway to Hell alongside Doja Cat, proving that even the most avant-garde fashion is meant to be lived in.
Triumph and Tribulation: The Evening’s Unscripted Moments
While the party was largely a celebration of victory, the night wasn’t without its lighter, more human moments. Adrien Brody, who won best actor for his role in The Brutalist, arrived with his parents, who were repeatedly asked how proud they must be of their son. “We’re so ashamed,” his father, Elliot Brody, joked with a perfectly straight face. Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner shared a sweet moment, holding hands as they greeted Sacha Baron Cohen, while Jenner’s sisters, Kendall and Kim Kardashian, met up at the bar for a sisterly catch-up. Isabella Rossellini, seated on a plush couch near the back of the room, reflected on the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment, which she found deeply moving. “The moment when I saw the photo of David Lynch,” she said of her former partner, “that made it real.”
Controversy and Chaos: The Unseen Side of the Night
Beneath the glamour and laughter, the evening wasn’t without its controversies and mishaps. The Oscars ceremony itself had been marked by a rocky awards season, beginning with deadly wildfires in Los Angeles in January, which cast a somber shadow over the usual glitz and self-congratulation. Then there were the controversies: The Brutalist was criticized for using an AI speech tool to enhance Adrien Brody’s Hungarian dialogue, while derogatory tweets from Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of Emilia Pérez, resurfaced, prompting her to embark on a defensive press tour. Gascón attended the Oscars ceremony but was notably absent from the Vanity Fair party. Even the party itself had its chaotic moments, from a waiter nearly tripping over Serena Williams’s lacy black gown to a guest’s curly hair getting temporarily stuck in a decorative topiary. At one point, someone dropped a burger on the floor, picked it up, and took a bite, encapsulating the night’s carefree, if slightly chaotic, spirit.
The Night Winds Down: Reflections and Revelries
As the clock struck 1 a.m., the party showed no signs of slowing down. Guests were beginning to consider their next moves, with some, like Fernanda Torres, struggling to find their cars in a crowded pickup area filled with black SUVs. Others, like Conan O’Brien, who made his Oscars hosting debut, left feeling satisfied with how the night had gone. “Yeah, I did what I wanted to do,” he said with a nod, clearly relieved and accomplished. For many, the Vanity Fair party was the perfect ending to an unpredictable awards season—a chance to let loose, celebrate, and remember why they love what they do. As the last guests departed and the lights dimmed on another unforgettable night, there was no doubt that next year’s party would be just as magical, just as unforgettable.
