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Check out full list of Oscars 2025 nominations

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The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were announced Thursday and it was a big morning for “Emilia Pérez,” “The Brutalist” and “Wicked.”

After acknowledgement of the impact of ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles by Academy leadership, Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott revealed the nominees for the film industry’s top prize, previewing the race that will play out in the weeks to come, culminating at the March ceremony.

“Emilia Pérez” led with 13 nominations, followed by “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” with 10 each.

The musical “Emilia Pérez” has seen success in spite of some controversy. The movie’s four Golden Globe wins did some to calm the criticism over many aspects of the film, including Selena Gomez’s perceived struggles with her character’s Spanish dialogue and various issues with the movie’s representation of the transgender community.

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“The Brutalist,” by director Brady Corbet, stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones as Hungarian refugees who come to the US after WWII. The film, which won big at the Golden Globes, was recently embroiled in controversy over its use of artificial intelligence in dialect, with Corbet giving an assertive defence of his performers amid the debate.

“Wicked,” meanwhile, certainly had the blockbuster audience vote and this time that also translated into awards recognition. The musical from director Jon M. Chu scored a nomination for best picture as well as individual honours for stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the latter of whom was a first-time nominee. Erivo was previously nominated for best actress for her role in “Harriet.” (If she adds an Oscar to her awards collection, she will achieve EGOT status, joining fewer than 30 artists who have each won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards.)

With “Wicked” and “Emilia Pérez,” this year marks the first time two musicals have been nominated in the best picture category since 1968 when “Oliver!” and “Funny Girl” both scored nominations, according to the Academy.

The acting categories were largely dominated by first-time nominees, with 13 individuals scoring their first Oscar nods, including Kieran Culkin, Demi Moore, Isabella Rossellini and Zoe Saldaña.

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Conan O’Brien is set to host the ceremony, taking place on March 2 and airing on ABC.

A list of nominees follows below.

Best picture

“Anora”

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“The Brutalist”

“A Complete Unknown”

“Conclave”

“Dune: Part Two”

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“Emilia Pérez”

“I’m Still Here”

“Nickel Boys”

“The Substance”

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“Wicked”

Best actor in a leading role

Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”

Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown”

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Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”

Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”

Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice”

Best actress in a leading role

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Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”

Karla Sofía Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”

Mikey Madison, “Anora”

Demi Moore, “The Substance”

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Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”

Best actor in a supporting role

Yura Borisov, “Anora”

Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”

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Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”

Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”

Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice”

Best actress in a supporting role

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Monica Barbaro, “A Complete Unknown”

Ariana Grande, “Wicked”

Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”

Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”

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Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”

Best director

Sean Baker, “Anora”

Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”

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James Mangold, “A Complete Unknown”

Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”

Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”

Best Cinematography

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“The Brutalist”

“Dune: Part Two”

“Emilia Pérez”

“Maria”

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“Nosferatu”

Best international feature film

“I’m Still Here”

“The Girl with the Needle”

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“Emilia Pérez”

“The Seed of the Sacred Fig”

“Flow”

Best adapted screenplay

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“A Complete Unknown”

“Conclave”

“Emilia Pérez”

“Nickel Boys”

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“Sing Sing”

Best original screenplay

“Anora”

“The Brutalist”

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“A Real Pain”

“September 5”

“The Substance”

Best live-action short film

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“A Lien”

“Anuja”

“I’m Not a Robot”

“The Last Ranger”

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“A Man Who Could Not Remain Silent”

Best animated short film

“Beautiful Men”

“In the Shadow of the Cypress”

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“Magic Candies”

“Wander to Wonder”

“Yuck!”

Best animated feature film

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“Flow”

“Inside Out 2”

“Memoir of a Snail”

“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”

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“The Wild Robot”

Best documentary short

“Death By Numbers”

“I Am Ready, Warden”

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“Incident”

“Instruments of a Beating Heart”

“The Only Girl in the Orchestra”

Best documentary feature film

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“Black Box Diaries”

“No Other Land”

“Porcelain War”

“Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat”

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“Sugarcane”

Best original song

“El Mal,” from “Emilia Pérez”

“The Journey,” from “The Six Triple Eight”

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“Like a Bird,” from “Sing Sing”

“Mi Camino,” from “Emilia Pérez”

“Never Too Late,” from “Elton John: Never Too Late”

Best original score

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“The Brutalist”

“Conclave”

“Emilia Pérez”

“Wicked”

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“The Wild Robot”

Best makeup and hairstyling

“A Different Man”

“Emilia Pérez”

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“Nosferatu”

“The Substance”

“Wicked”

Best costume design

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“A Complete Unknown”

“Conclave”

“Gladiator II”

“Nosferatu”

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“Wicked”

Best editing

“Anora”

“The Brutalist”

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“Conclave”

“Emilia Pérez”

“Wicked”

Best sound

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“A Complete Unknown”

“Dune: Part Two”

“Emilia Pérez”

“Wicked”

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“The Wild Robot”

Best production design

“The Brutalist”

“Conclave”

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“Dune: Part Two”

“Nosferatu”

“Wicked”

Best visual effects

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“Alien: Romulus”

“Better Man”

“Dune: Part Two”

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”

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“Wicked”

Entertainment

Alexx Ekubo: Family Finally speaks, issues statement

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The family of Alexx Ekubo has formally confirmed the demise of Nollywood actor, ending days of speculation and concern surrounding his health.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening on behalf of the family, they disclosed that the actor died at Evercare Hospital following complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer after what was described as a brief but courageous battle with the illness.

The family described the late actor as a beloved husband, son, brother and friend, noting that he faced the difficult period with strength, faith and hope.

According to the statement, Alexx Ekubo believed that one day his healing testimony would be shared publicly, even as he quietly battled the illness away from the spotlight.

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“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Son, Brother, and Friend, Alexx Ikenna Ekubo-Okwaraeke,” the statement read.

“After a brief but courageous battle, Alexx passed away at Evercare Hospital due to complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer.”

The family added that throughout the illness, the actor remained hopeful and deeply faithful despite the pain.

“Throughout this difficult journey, he bore his pain with remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and enduring hope, believing that one day his testimony would be shared with the world,” the statement added.

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They also appealed to the public for privacy and prayers during the difficult period while assuring that funeral arrangements and other details would be announced later.

The statement further appreciated fans, friends and supporters for their love, prayers and support throughout the period.

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All you need to know about popular movie star, Alexx Ekubo

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Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke April 1986 – 11 May 2026) was a Nigerian actor, entertainer, and humanitarian.

He was known for his work in Nollywood films, particularly romantic comedies and dramas. Ekubo gained wider recognition after emerging as the first runner-up at the 2010 Mr. Nigeria contest and later starring in the film Weekend Getaway.

In 2020, he was recognized among the “Most Influential People of African Descent” under 40 for his contributions to entertainment and social development in Africa.

Ekubo was a native of Arochukwu, Abia State in the south-eastern region of Nigeria.[citation needed] He attended Federal Government College Daura, Katsina State in the Northern region of Nigeria. He studied law at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

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He was also awarded an Honorary Degree in Arts & Culture from the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion[6] (ISCG University) Cotonou, Republic of Benin, 2021.

Ekubo is known for his distinctive fashion presence, and is frequently featured on best-dressed lists across Africa. He maintains a private lifestyle and often uses his platform to advocate for social causes and youth empowerment.

Ekubo died from liver cancer in Lagos on 11 May 2026, at the age of 40.

According to family sources, the actor died after months of illness and prolonged absence from the public eye which had raised concerns among fans and colleagues.

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Nollywood poster boy Alexx Ekubo had a prepared will before his demise

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Nollywood actor Godwin Nnadiekwe has reacted emotionally to the death of his colleague, Alexx Ekubo.

News of Alexx Ekubo’s demise surfaced on Nigerian news media on Tuesday, May 12, after allegedly battling cancer. The reports have continued to generate reactions across social media, although there has been no official confirmation from his family or management at the time of filing this report.

Reacting to the development, Godwin Nnadiekwe suggested that the late actor appeared aware of the seriousness of his health condition before his reported passing, claiming that he had already prepared his will.

Expressing grief over the situation, Nnadiekwe described the news as heartbreaking and difficult to process.

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“I’m struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me,” he wrote.

“Nollywood has lost a rare soul, and I’m at a loss for words because this wasn’t the plan.

“Alex Ekubo, to think you already prepared your will. It’s a heartbreak I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.

“Goodnight Alex. Cancer, you did this one.”

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