The Time Crazy Rich Asians Director Jon M. Chu Snuck Into The Oscars

Awkwafina as Peik Lin in Crazy Rich Asians
(Image credit: (Warner Bros))

At Sunday night’s Oscars, it was a treat to see many of the Crazy Rich Asians cast members as they owned the red carpet with their looks, as well as presented some golden trophies with other big names as they celebrated their status as one of the most buzzy movies of 2018. It didn’t matter much that Crazy Rich Asians didn’t score a single Oscar nomination, they just looked thrilled to be there and having a blast.

Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu joined his breakout stars at the show, sitting second row at the Academy Awards and witness to highlights such as Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s “Shallow” performance and Melissa McCarthy’s hilarious rabbit costume moment. After Hollywood’s big night, Chu shared his first Oscar’s memory, which was a very different experience then this year’s. In his words:

The first Academy Awards I ever went to was in 2001 when I made a fake pass and snuck in. I watched the whole show from backstage. What an honor to be there with Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Henry Golding and Gemma Chan celebrating a year that we will never forget.

Impressive – to both Jon M. Chu pulling off sneaking into the Oscars and his fame glow up since! In 2001, Chu witnessed Steve Martin as host, Julia Roberts and Russell Crowe’s Best Actor wins and Gladiator being awarded Best Picture. The filmmaker probably had an incredible time seeing the show backstage, with that “I’m not supposed to be here but am, ha!” adrenaline pumping, which is comparatively completely different then walking the red carpet, sitting in the front seats and celebrating his blockbuster film.

Jon M. Chu shared the funny tidbit on his Instagram with a bunch of glamorous photos of him with some of the stars of Crazy Rich Asians, like Constance Wu, Henry Golding and Awkwafina. He and Michelle Yeoh also captured a selfie with The Favourite’s Best Actress Oscar winners Olivia Colman and Emma Stone, along with organizer-extraordinaire Marie Kondo. Take a look:

A photo posted by on

It looks like they had a grand ol’ time! Although many felt Crazy Rich Asians got snubbed for not being recognized by the Academy this year, amidst nods at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and such, but their  presence at the show certainly helped represent the impact of the movie and the Academy’s interest in their work.

Constance Wu had the opportunity to present the Oscar for Best Original Song to the A Star is Born writers for “Shallow” alongside Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman. Awkwafina also presented with comedian John Mulaney for the Best Short Film categories. Michelle Yoeh joined Pharrell took the stage to present the Best Animated Feature. Henry Golding and Gemma Chan offered up carpet-stealing looks, especially with Chan’s dress, with pockets of cookies. Can they all just collectively host the show next year?

Sarah El-Mahmoud
Staff Writer

YA genre tribute. Horror May Queen. Word webslinger. All her writing should be read in Sarah Connor’s Terminator 2 voice over.