For the first time since the ceremony’s inception the 2023 Oscars featured a non-red carpet, with the Academy instead opting for a champagne colour.

Organisers said the colour was chosen to “evoke the sunset” and that the decision had been approved by Academy boss Bill Kramer.

The decision came from creative consultants Lisa Love, a longtime Vogue contributor, and Raul Avila, the creative director for the Met Gala in New York.

“We turned a day event into night. It’s evening, even though it’s still 3pm”, Lisa told the Associated Press.

“We chose this beautiful sienna, saffron colour that evokes the sunset, because this is the sunset before the golden hour."

According to the Academy the first red carpet was introduced in 1961, and was prompted by the decision to move the world-famous awards show from the Pantages theatre in Hollywood, to the Santa Monica Civic Centre.

The new venue had a large stretch of concrete between the drop off and entrance, resulting in the laying of a carpet.

Other carpets since have been varying shades of red, though this year’s is the first that is completely non-red.

Show host Jimmy Kimmel previously joked that the decision to have a champagne-coloured “shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed”, in reference to Will Smith’s infamous slap at last year’s ceremony.

“People have been asking ‘Is there going to be any trouble this year? Is there going to be any violence this year?’ and we certainly hope not,” he said, speaking at the carpet’s official rollout.

“I think the decision to go with a champagne carpet rather than a red carpet shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed.”

Meanwhile, Angela Bassett, nominated in the best supporting actress category for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, noted the change to reporters.

“The carpet is different,” Bassett, wearing a bright purple gown, told US outlet Variety.

“I don’t mind it. It goes with what I’m wearing in a nice way.”

Some of the big names to attend Sunday night's star-studded affair included Cara Delevingne, who dazzled in a showstopping red dress, Florence Pugh, Michelle Yeoh, Michael B. Jordan and Brendan Fraser.

Pregnant Rihanna also attended the ceremony and was one of the last celebs to arrive.

The pregnant singer showcased her blossoming bump in a black gown with sheer panelling across her growing tummy.

Rihanna made her surprise pregnancy announcement during her iconic Super Bowl Halftime Show last month.

READ MORE:

• For all your daily celebrity news and gossip, sign up to OK!’s newsletter – CLICK HERE

• Confessions of an Oscars seat-filler: Harry Styles snap to rubbing shoulders with Adele

• Love Island’s Jack Keating seen for first time since becoming a dad at Ronan's birthday bash

• Dancing On Ice 2023 winner Nile Wilson’s life off screen with stunning girlfriend Hermione

• Love Island's Ellie Spence was '30 seconds from death' after 'ripping leg off'

Source: Read Full Article