This year’s Oscars has confirmed that comedians Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and actress Regina Hall will be the masters of ceremonies. The trio are making history as the first ever female host trio for the ceremony.
Telecast producer Will Packer brought Sykes, Hall, and Schumer together to have an all-female team with broad appeal and comedic styles. He is responsible for the idea of wanting the host-less ceremony to once again be enlivened to the festivities and increase viewership.
“This year’s show is all about uniting movie lovers. It’s apropos that we’ve lined up three of the most dynamic, hilarious women with different comedic styles,” Packer said. “I know the fun Regina, Amy, and Wanda will be having will translate to our audience as well. Many surprises in store! Expect the unexpected!”
The history-making decision of having three female hosts was Packer’s idea. Packer has produced women-driven comedies like Girl’s Trip and Little. He wanted the hosts to have a three-act awards set wherein one host would lead each hour of the broadcast. However, the Academy stated that “all 3 hosts will be together —not each hosting a separate hour.”
Hall, Schumer, and Sykes were pleased to host the awards night. “We want people to get ready to have a good time. It’s been a while,” they said in a press release. Schumer also humorously took the idea earnestly. “I’m not sure who thought this was a good idea but I am hosting the Oscars, along with my good friend Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall. I better go watch some movies,” she said.
Actress Amy Schumer has received 12 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won the “Outstanding Variety Sketch Series” award in 2015 for her hit series Inside Amy Schumer. Regina Hall is known for her appearance in the film series Scary Movie as well as The Best Man, and The Hate U Give. She also starred in Packer’s comedy film Girl’s Trip. Hall has received a New York Film Critics Award for “Best Actress” in the 2018 indie film Support the Girls.
Wanda Sykes has had 14 Emmy nominations and one win. She is the creator, writer, and star of the series The Upshaws. Sykes is also known for her TV appearance in Black-ish, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The New Adventures of Old Christine.
Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson are delighted with Packer’s plan. “We’re invigorated by Will’s vision for this year’s Oscars: celebrating movie lovers alongside moviemakers and spotlighting fan favorites that prove how cinema can unite us all.”
“Hosting this star-studded party are three powerful, funny women inviting us to laugh and cheer for the year’s best and brightest in film,” they added.
It has been three years since The Academy Awards didn’t feature any hosts, the last was Jimmy Kimmel who hosted the ceremony back in 2018. However, having a trio of hosts isn’t a first for the Oscars since the 1987 Academy Awards had Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, and Paul Hogan. The only time women were masters of ceremonies was 45 years ago in the 1977 Academy Awards hosted by Ellen Burstyn, Jane Fonda, Warren Beatty, and Richard Pryor.
With controversies and pandemic-related struggles, the 2022 Oscars is coming back even better with funny and talented Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall taking over the awards night on March 27.
Other POP! stories you might like:
Are the Oscars sexist? Only one woman has ever won Best Director
Encanto earns three Oscar nominations at the 2022 Academy Awards
Beyoncé, Billie Eilish & Kristen Stewart become first-time Oscar nominees