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As a global audience tunes in to the 95th Academy Awards, the creative decision not to have a red carpet but a champagne colored runner is guaranteed to surprise viewers.
“I think the decision to have a champagne carpet over a red carpet shows how confident we are that no blood will be spilled,” Oscar presenter Jimmy Kimmel joked at the roll-out ceremony.
This is the first time since 1961 that the Oscars’ famous red carpet hasn’t been red, one of the many big changes made for this year’s ceremony, including a new dress code and the addition of an Oscar “crisis team.”
In an interview with the Associated Press shortly after the carpet was rolled out, Love said, “We chose this beautiful sienna-saffron color that’s reminiscent of sunset because that’s the sunset before the golden hour.”
However, the change seems to cause headaches for the organizers. With global news teams broadcasting and publicists scouting the area before talent like Austin Butler, Lady Gaga, Michelle Yeoh and more arrive, the carpet is already getting muddy.
Variety heard that soiled stains on the carpet had to be quickly trimmed and replaced backstage so that few contestants noticed the stains.
Along with changes like the champagne carpet, the new carpet team also includes an updated dress code for staff, press and publicists. The rules were announced via email earlier in the week, which said: “There are design elements that we want our nominees and guests to stand out”, so everyone who is not in front of the camera must conform to the new dark blue dress code or keep black.
Will the new mods bring higher ratings or just patchy footprints? Only time will tell, but already nominees and contestants are making comments.
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A smart gentleman protester stands outside #Oscar calls for the carpet to be changed from champagne back to red. i love this weekend
— Matt Donnelly (@MattDonnelly) March 11, 2023