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 As the Oscars ceremony wrapped up with "Birdman" winning the
best picture prize, stars piled into the Governor's Ball, the
official after-party hosted by Oscars organizers, the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
"I'm feeling tired and exhilarated and relieved and excited and
hungry," said "Whiplash" winner J.K. Simmons as he entered the
party with his best supporting actor Oscar in hand.
"It was surreal and wonderful to see him share that moment with
his family," Simmons' co-star, Miles Teller, said.
Graham Moore, who won best adapted screenplay for "The Imitation
Game" and made a passionate speech in which he revealed his own
suicide attempt as a teen, said he was "overwhelmed and teary"
with his win.
"I keep spontaneously crying," he said as his mother carried his
Oscar.
The event saw many of Hollywood's big stars casually catching up
over champagne and gourmet desserts provided by chef Wolfgang
Puck. Singer Will.i.am performed upbeat dance numbers with
Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes, as the crowd danced along.
"Birdman" best supporting actor nominee Edward Norton rushed by,
saying "I'm all about the love tonight," as he went to celebrate
with his co-stars.
Animated feature winner "Big Hero 6" co-director Don Hall said
holding his hefty Oscar felt "weird, surreal, strange, amazing,
fantastic and unbelievably cool."
While he had no ideas for a sequel to the Disney animated hit
yet, he said he envisioned "a new superhero character who can
turn into gold."
After months of campaigning through the rigors of awards season,
actors, like nominees Steve Carell and Marion Cotillard, enjoyed
a laugh together.
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First-time Oscar performers also marveled in the surreal nature of
it all. The Roots musician, Questlove, made his Oscar debut
alongside Will Arnett dressed as Batman on the stage for the
"Everything is Awesome" performance.
"All throughout rehearsal, because Will Arnett does these
exaggerated arm movements, I got punched unintentionally," he said
with a laugh. "For such a gentle song it was physically brutal."
Academy president Cheryl Boone-Isaacs praised first-time host Neil
Patrick Harris and said the musical numbers, which included Lady
Gaga, Rita Ora and Common and John Legend, were "spectacular."
For those who aren't nominated or invited to the Oscars, British
singer Elton John hosted his annual viewing party to raise money for
his AIDS foundation.
Guests sipped cocktails and dined under a tent that occasionally
sprang a leak, dribbling rainwater on the halibut and macaroons, all
part of a menu designed by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
Alex Baldwin was there to raise funds and watch on the small screen
as his "Still Alice" costar, Julianne Moore, won best actress.
(Additional reporting by Sarah McBride; Editing by Mary Milliken and
Sandra Maler)
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