Dudes showed up to the 4th annual Academy Museum Gala and we HAVE to start by talking about the ABOSLUTE GOSSIP GIFT of Joaquin Phoenix showing up to the same event as Danny Ramirez, who was supposed to star with Phoenix in Todd Haynes’ now-toast queer romantic drama. 

 

Do you think they spoke?! I mean, probably not, right? Probably Danny, an up-and-coming star, was totally professional and kept his distance so as not to feed the gossip machine, but also…his Top Gun: Maverick co-stars Monica Barbaro and Jay Ellis were also there. The young guns got really close during the making of that movie, and they tend to link up at events. You KNOW they were talking sh-t! You know they were! 

 

Joaquin over there fixing Rooney Mara’s train like he’s the cutest boo in Hollywood and not the guy that cost hundreds of people, including Danny Ramirez, a paycheck. Long term, Danny Ramirez will be fine. Other opportunities will come his way. But there is no denying that starring opposite Joaquin Phoenix in a film directed by Todd Haynes would be a major moment in his career. Just ask Drew Starkey what starring opposite Daniel Craig in a Luca Guadagnino film has done for his career. In just a couple months, Starkey went from “that guy in Outer Banks” to a Best Supporting Actor contender. 

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara attend the 4th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, California on October 19, 2024
 

Speaking of contenders, a bunch of Best Actor hopefuls showed, starting with Colman Domingo and Sebastian Stan. A few weeks ago, they appeared on an episode of A24’s podcast together, since A24 released their respective films, A Different Man and Sing Sing. They really seemed to hit it off with a mutual admiration society.

 

 

Neither film set the box office on fire—A24 completely botched Sing Sing’s release over the summer—and for Stan, The Apprentice didn’t tempt audiences, either; however, the Best Actor race is still super wide open, so even though he’s lost a little heat since his films aren’t gaining much traction, Stan is still in contention. Colman, though, is faring better, because if you have seen Sing Sing, you know he gives an extraordinary performance. He could go back-to-back with Best Actor nominations in 2024 and 2025. Colman stepped out in Valentino, including the Valentino Garavani spring 2025 cat bag. Feels like the wrong event for that accessory (to kitschy for the setting), but Colman is working it. 

 

Other Best Actor hopefuls in attendance include Paul Mescal, in custom Gucci, who was one of the honorees of the evening, and John David Washington, star of The Piano Lesson. Daniel Craig is so far not campaigning and not playing the “it’s his time” card, which leaves the Best Actor field wide open, so John David could definitely make the cut. His brother, Malcom, who directed The Piano Lesson, was also there, though he is so far not part of the Best Director discussion. The Piano Lesson hits Netflix in a month, which is also when Gladiator II comes out, and we should start seeing a clearer picture regarding Best Actor, but it really is anyone’s game, especially if Craig stays off the trophy trail.

 

Somewhat bafflingly, Harris Dickinson isn’t getting any heat for Babygirl. Men usually aren’t rewarded for romantic/sexy performances, but he’s been in so many Oscar-type movies over the last few years, I’m surprised he hasn’t managed to make himself part of the conversation just by association. Though Charles Melton (in Coach) was on hand to remind us you don’t need to get nominated to experience an Oscar bump, just being part of the conversation can be enough to take a career to the next level.

Finally, we must talk about Joshua Jackson. I know he’s playing a cruise ship doctor on his new show, but this look is too casual for a black tie gala fundraiser. He needs a tie. The dinner jacket and the white shirt without any contrasting color turns into a block of nothing. He’s got a diamond brooch on his lapel, but that barely shows up against the white jacket. 

Joshua Jackson attends the 4th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, California on October 19, 2024

Several other men opted for dinner jackets, including Edgar Ramirez, Sterling K. Brown, and Damson Idris, and they all look more polished than Josh. Dan Levy opted for a fully white suit, but with black glasses, tie, and shoes, he has points of contrast all the way down to tie the look together.

The best comparison, though, is Lamorne Morris, who also opted for an open collar/no tie look. He wore all black, and his diamond star pins really pop against the dark jacket. He also wore traditional dress shoes, so even with the open collar, he doesn’t look as casual as Josh, who needed to go for the open collar OR the sockless shoes, not both. Generally, I think people, especially men, can and should play with the rules of fashion more, but on this night, other guys dressed in similar styles and did it better than Josh. His look is just a little too undercooked. Doing Don Johnson proud with the sockless shoes, though.

Lamorne Morris attends the 4th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, California on October 19, 2024