Troy Kotsur, Ariana DeBose make history at Academy Awards

The Oscars have made history with their supporting actor winners

LOS ANGELES -- Troy Kotsur and Ariana DeBose made history and the big-screen craft of Denis Villeneuve's science-fiction epic “Dune” won a leading six awards at Sunday's 94th Academy Awards.

After record-low ratings during a pandemic-marred 2021 show producers this year turned to one of the biggest stars around — Beyoncé — to kick off an Oscars intended to revive the awards' place in pop culture. After an introduction from Venus and Serena Williams, Beyoncé performed her “King Richard” nominated song, “Be Alive,” in an elaborately choreographed performance from a lime-colored, open-air stage in Compton, where the Williams sisters grew up.

Hosts Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall then began the telecast from the Dolby Theatre.

“All right, we are here at the Oscars,” began Hall. Sykes finished: “Where movie lovers unite and watch TV.”