Inside the Oscars afterparty – tearful celebrations, unexpected reunions

KiMi Robinson and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY Mon, March 16, 2026 at 2:30 PM UTC

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Inside the Oscars afterparty – tearful celebrations, unexpected reunions

LOS ANGELES – At the Governors Ball – the Oscars' official afterparty – it was one winner after another raising their newly engraved statuette in glorious victory and celebrating Hollywood's biggest night with their loved ones.

Best actor and actress winners Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley ascended the trophy engraving platform as the celebration was in full swing Sunday, March 15. Jordan, who smiled as he watched a woman affix a gold plaque etched with his "Sinners" win on his new hardware, beamed when he saw his sister, Jamila Jordan-Theus, join him onstage.

The actor rushed to her, the two sharing a 10-second embrace as flashes erupted around them. Jordan-Theus cackled as they rocked back and forth, and Jordan tucked her arm into his so they could witness his first Oscar win become cemented in Academy Awards history.

1 / 0See Michael B. Jordan's career – 'Sinners,' 'Creed,' and Oscars win

After a long, heated race, Michael B. Jordan is officially an Oscar winner.The actor, producer and director took home the award for best actor at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, for his lead dual roles in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners."Prior to his Oscar-winning role, however, Jordan initially broke out in television, playing Wallace in Season 1 of the HBO crime drama series "The Wire." His film breakout role was "Fruitvale Station," and he's also known for his work in the "Creed" and "Black Panther" movies. Scroll through to see more photos of the actor, also known as MBJ, throughout his career and his journey to the Oscars.Pictured here, Jordan poses with the Oscar for best actor for "Sinners" in the Oscars photo room at the 98th Academy Awards.

Buckley, who laughed in disbelief upon seeing the flock of admirers watching the winners get their flowers, shared a smooch with husband Freddie Sorensen after presenting her statuette to the Academy staffers. And "Golden" winner EJAE, after stopping for several minutes' worth of fan photos, joined cowriters Zhun, Yu Han Lee and Mark Sonnenblickas in capturing videos of the plaque being screwed on to their "KPop Demon Hunters" trophy.

"I'm just so proud of her," EJAE's fiancé, Sam Kim, said as he gazed up at her from below the stage.

Those who took home a coveted Oscar weren't the only ones celebrating at the Wolfgang Puck-catered event. "Hamnet" producer Steven Spielberg, "Frankenstein" star Jacob Elordi, presenter Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and performer Sterling K. Brown also made an appearance at the fifth-floor afterparty.

From winners' post-Oscars elatedness to snippets of conversations, these were some other moments we observed at the Governors Ball.

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'K-Pop Demon Hunters' have a Huntr/X-worthy reaction to Oscar win

After journeying up several escalators, "Golden" singers Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna – whose voices were featured on the hit "Demon Hunters" soundtrack – let out a collective cheer as EJAE joined them at the party's entrance.

1 / 0The best Oscars moments you didn't see on TV, from backstage sightings to celeb hangouts

From Emma Stone and Demi Moore having a catch-up to all the winners embracing their major moment backstage, here's a look at everything going on behind the scenes at the 98th Academy Awards.Pictured here, Conan O'Brien talks to Amy Madigan, winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for "Weapons," backstage during the Oscars.

EJAE wiped at her face and shared the trophy with her fellow singers as their entourage joined in celebrating their golden glory.

Kieran Culkin compliments Michael B Jordan's authenticity

As Jordan had his statuette personalized, 2025 best supporting actor winner Kieran Culkin observed, in a side conversation, that the "Sinners" star seemed to be genuinely soaking up his win without any pretenses.

"No one wants to hear your bit unless you’re Kristin Wig or Maya Rudolph," he said.

Yvette Nicole Brown, Ken Jeong have a warm 'Community' reunion

From Greendale Community College to the Academy Awards, "Zootopia 2" voice actor Yvette Nicole Brown and "K-Pop Demon Hunters's" Ken Jeong remain fond of each other through it all.

The two "Community" alumni, who are expected to reprise their roles as Shirley Bennett and Professor Chang in the 2009-2015 show's highly anticipated film, shared a laugh near the entrance. When they spotted each other near the trophy station, Jeong gave Brown a sweet peck on the cheek.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oscars afterparty – All the celeb interactions, emotional moments

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