In a delicious sequel to the superlative stunt that Natalie Portman pulled off at the Golden Globes, Oscars presenter Emma Stone decided to point out what most of the nominees for best director had in common: 'These four men and Greta Gerwig created their own masterpieces,' Stone said, announcing the nominees and pointing out the gender imbalance to boot in a simple, elegant one-liner.
(At the Globes, where Gerwig wasn't even nominated for the award, Portman leaned into the microphone and said, 'And here are the all-male nominees.' An icon!)
Stone was met with applause and cheers, after which the Oscar went to Guillermo Del Toro. But Gerwig was heralded together with every woman nominated for an award toward the end of the show, when Best Actress winner Frances McDormand invited all of them to stand and be counted in a season when, despite the business's modest evolution, too few women were celebrated for their achievements.
Attention, Hollywood studios: We wouldn't serve so much shade if you gave women more chances to shine.
