Holly Waddington Wins Best Costume Design Oscar for ‘Poor Things’ With an Auspicious Introduction by John Cena

The 2024 Oscars for Best Costume Design went to Holly Waddington of “Poor Things.”

Waddington received her statuette at the Oscars ceremony held in Los Angeles on Sunday. The designer was up in her category against Jacqueline Durran for “Barbie,” Jacqueline West for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Janty Yates and Dave Crossman for “Napoleon,” and Ellen Mirojnick for “Oppenheimer.”

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Holly Waddington at the 96th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Holly Waddington at the 2024 Oscars.

Waddington, who has worked in “Lady Macbeth” in 2016 and “War Horse” in 2011, thanked the “Poor Things” cast for wearing whatever she threw at them.

In a previous interview with WWD, Waddington described her work in “Poor Things” as her dream job. “One of the great things about working with Yorgos [Lanthimos, director] is that he isn’t somebody who comes to you with a finished sense of what things should be. He very much encourages a rich, creative process for each of his collaborators,” she said.

POOR THINGS, Emma Stone, 2023. ph: Yorgos Lanthimos / © Searchlight Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
Emma Stone in “Poor Things.”

“Poor Things” won four Oscars in total, including Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design and Best Actress for Emma Stone, who attended the ceremony in a blue Louis Vuitton dress.

Waddington’s award was presented by actor John Cena, who showed up on stage with an unexpected look. The actor wore only a pair of Birkenstock sandals and a large envelope with the name of this year’s winner.

John Cena at the 96th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
John Cena at the 2024 Oscars.

“Costumes… they are so important. Maybe the most important thing there is,” Cena said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Cena’s almost-naked look was a nod to a streaker who ran across the Oscars stage in 1974, interrupting David Niven’s introduction of Elizabeth Taylor. “Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today?” asked Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted this year’s ceremony, before bringing Cena to the stage.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: (L-R) Jimmy Kimmel and John Cena speak onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
(L-R) Jimmy Kimmel and John Cena at the 2024 Oscars.

The annual Oscars celebrates film, cinematography and the artists who bring characters to life. This year, Jimmy Kimmel was invited to return as a host of the show for the fourth time. The list of presenters included Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Lawrence, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Al Pacino, Jamie Lee Curtis and more.

pregnant Vanessa Hudgens at the 2024 Oscars red carpet, wearing Vera Wang dress, baby bump, julianne hough, laverne cox
pregnant Vanessa Hudgens at the 2024 Oscars red carpet, wearing Vera Wang dress, baby bump, julianne hough, laverne cox

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