Celebs Shine at Academy Museum Gala: Honors, Surprises, and Memorable Performances

On a Saturday night full of stars, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures held its annual gala. The event, now in its fourth year, was a star-studded affair, honoring actors like Paul Mescal, Rita Moreno, and Quentin Tarantino while raising a whopping $11 million. Movie legends such as Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus mingled with newer faces like Mikey Madison and Drew Starkey. The night's highlights included Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who are tipped for Oscar nods, along with the cast of Emilia Pérez and director Denis Villeneuve. Paul Mescal got the Vantage Award for challenging cinema narratives, and he was surprised at the recognition. "This is a huge honor, " he said. "It’s not something I expected. " Steven Spielberg presented Rita Moreno with the Icon Award for her global impact, while John Travolta gave Quentin Tarantino the Luminary Award for expanding cinema's creative boundaries. In return, Tarantino donated his first Pulp Fiction script draft to the museum. The grand finale came from Ariana Grande, who closed the night with powerful renditions of songs like "I’m Here" from The Color Purple and Prince's "Purple Rain. " The gala was a big hit, sponsored by Rolex.