Dear Gossips, 

The Oscar Governors Awards happened last night and as mentioned several times last week in anticipation of the event, the gala celebrates the honorary Oscar recipients of the year (Dolly Parton, Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas, and Tom Cruise are the class of 2025) but is also a major stop on the awards campaign circuit. Because of course this is the Oscar Academy’s Oscar pre-party, so many voters are in the room. And almost everyone who is contention for Oscar shows up to be seen, to network, to make their case. 

 

What makes the situation even more interesting this year is that there’s no real lock in any of the major categories. There are heavyweight frontrunners, no doubt, but no one’s even close to calling it yet, unlike in years past, for example, when at this point in the season, they’d already practically engraved Joaquin Phoenix’s name on the trophy for his performance in Joker. Remember earlier this year when Demi Moore was going into the Oscars having just won the SAG – now renamed as the Actor Awards (accompanied by criticism that the rebrand is anti-union) – and Mikey Madison’s name was called on Oscar night? It was suspense to the very end, and this makes it so much more fun. When the thirst is on full display, it’s always better for gossip.

 

That comment, about thirst, applies of course to the big names in Hollywood, those who like to pretend they’re don’t want it that bad but really, really do. For others, who are just breaking through, having a presence at every party, especially this one, is critical. 

Kpop Demon Hunters belongs in this category. They’re hoping for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song nominations and it’s looking good on both fronts but since the talent involved are not household names, the strategy has been to get them out there at every opportunity and it’s encouraging to see that Netflix is bankrolling this. 

 

Here's Grammy-nominated and hopefully soon-to-be Oscar-nominated EJAE in a strapless drop-waist Marmar Halim dress upon arrival. 

@oscars

All eyes on EJAE tonight. EJAE arrives at the 16th Governors Awards. #EJAE #Oscars #Oscar #AcademyAwards #AcademyAward

♬ original sound - The Oscars - The Oscars
 

At one point in the night, EJAE was hanging out with Ariana Grande and Aiyana-Lee, giving us a shot of three possible Oscar night performers in the song category as Ari will rep Wicked: For Good, of course, and Aiyana-Lee’s song “Highest 2 Lowest” from Spike Lee’s film of the same name, is also on the list of potential nominees. 

EJAE with Ariana Grande and Aiyana-Lee at the Governor's Awards on November 16, 2025
 

And then there’s the mother of Huntr/x, Maggie Kang. Big weekend for Maggie as she was presented with the Critics Choice Animation Award in celebration of AAPI creatives…

…and was at the Governors Awards in an exquisite strapless red and black gown that’s giving Saja Boys in demon form, non? 

Maggie Kang attends the 16th Governors Awards in Los Angeles on November 16, 2025

“Golden” by the way continues to chart, and has held on to the #2 spot on the Hot 100 every week since Taylor Swift released The Life of a Showgirl which means the song is still very popular, very played, and has not lost much momentum, if any. There is no doubt that among all Best Original Song contenders, “Golden” has had the most reach. 

More on the Governors Awards through the day. 

Yours in gossip, 

Lainey

EJAE, Ariana Grande, Aiyana-Lee, and Maggie Kang attended the 16th Governors Awards in Los Angeles.
Photo credits: John Salangsang/ Matt Baron/BEI/ Shutterstock

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