Oscars so chaotic: And the winner is ‘La La’…hold up, ‘Moonlight!’

WTOP's Jason Fraley recaps the Oscars backstage

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Call it the most stunning twist in Oscar history.

Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced “La La Land” as Best Picture, only for producer Jordan Horowitz to stop in the middle of his acceptance speech and announce that the rightful winner was actually “Moonlight,” the result of an Oscar envelope error at The Dolby Theatre.

“Is this the craziest Oscar moment ever?” Emma Stone asked rhetorically backstage with WTOP.

Ryan Gosling, right, stands with his arms folded as Emma Stone, center, congratulates Mahershala Ali, for winning the award for best picture for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It was originally announced mistakenly that "La La Land" was the winner. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Ryan Gosling, right, stands with his arms folded as Emma Stone, center, congratulates Mahershala Ali, for winning the award for best picture for “Moonlight” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It was originally announced mistakenly that “La La Land” was the winner. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Janelle Monae, center, reacts as "Moonlight" is announced as the winner of best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Janelle Monae, center, reacts as “Moonlight” is announced as the winner of best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Barry Jenkins, foreground left, and the cast accept the award for best picture for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Barry Jenkins, foreground left, and the cast accept the award for best picture for “Moonlight” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Barry Jenkins, foreground center, and the cast accept the award for best picture for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Barry Jenkins, foreground center, and the cast accept the award for best picture for “Moonlight” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Faye Dunaway, left, and Warren Beatty present the award for best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Faye Dunaway, left, and Warren Beatty present the award for best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Tarell Alvin McCraney, center, and Barry Jenkins accept the award for best adapted screenplay for "Moonlight" as Amy Adams, left, watches on at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Tarell Alvin McCraney, center, and Barry Jenkins accept the award for best adapted screenplay for “Moonlight” as Amy Adams, left, watches on at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Matt Damon, left, and Ben Affleck appear backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Matt Damon, left, and Ben Affleck appear backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Emma Stone accepts the award for best actress in a leading role for "La La Land" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Emma Stone accepts the award for best actress in a leading role for “La La Land” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Charlize Theron appears backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Charlize Theron appears backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Janelle Monae appears backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Janelle Monae appears backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Ryan Gosling, left, and Emma Stone introduce a performance at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Viola Davis poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Damien Chazelle, right, and Olivia Hamilton arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Barry Jenkins arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Dwayne Johnson introduces a performance from best original song nominee “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  Actor Viola Davis accepts Best Supporting Actress for 'Fences' onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Viola Davis accepts Best Supporting Actress for “Fences” onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  (L-R) Makeup artists Giorgio Gregorini, Alessandro Bertolazzi and Christopher Nelson, winners of the Best Makeup and Hairstyling award for 'Suicide Squad', pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
(L-R) Makeup artists Giorgio Gregorini, Alessandro Bertolazzi and Christopher Nelson, winners of the Best Makeup and Hairstyling award for ‘Suicide Squad’, pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  Guests walk the red carpet at the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Ben Peterson/Getty Images)
Guests walk the red carpet at the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ben Peterson/Getty Images)
Actor/singer Auli'i Cravalho performs onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Actor/singer Auli’i Cravalho performs onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Actor/singer Auli'i Cravalho performs onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Actor/singer Auli’i Cravalho performs onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)   (Kevin Winter)
Actor Nicole Kidman, Musician Keith Urban, LaTanya Richardson and Samuel L. Jackson attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Actor Nicole Kidman, Musician Keith Urban, LaTanya Richardson and Samuel L. Jackson attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.
NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson appears onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson (2nd L) appears onstage with (L-R) actors Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson (2nd L) appears onstage with (L-R) actors Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
(L-R) Actors Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer speak onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
(L-R) Actors Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer speak onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Viola Davis arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Viola Davis arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Alicia Vikander, left, presents Mahershala Ali with the award for best actor in a supporting role for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Alicia Vikander, left, presents Mahershala Ali with the award for best actor in a supporting role for “Moonlight” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Samuel L. Jackson, from left, LaTanya Richardson and Salma Hayek arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Samuel L. Jackson, from left, LaTanya Richardson and Salma Hayek arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Brie Larson arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Brie Larson arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Chris Evans, left, and Jeremy Renner arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Chris Evans, left, and Jeremy Renner arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Members from the cast of "Tanna" arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Members from the cast of “Tanna” arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Ezra Edelman, right, and Caroline Waterlow accept the award for best documentary feature for “O.J.: Made in America” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Kate McKinnon, left, and Jason Bateman present the award for best makeup and hairstyling at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Mahershala Ali accepts the award for best actor in a supporting role for “Moonlight” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake performs songs from best original song nominee “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” from “Trolls” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake performs songs from best original song nominee “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” from “Trolls” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake performs songs from best original song nominee “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” from “Trolls” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Meryl Streep stands for applause at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Celebrities on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Celebrities on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas of “Once Upon a Time.” (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
"La La Land" composer Justin Hurwitz at the 86th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
“La La Land” composer Justin Hurwitz at the 86th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Mahershala Ali just moments before winning Best Supporting Actor. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Mahershala Ali just moments before winning Best Supporting Actor. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Vince Vaughn at the 89th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Vince Vaughn at the 89th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Terrence Howard in the crowd at the 89th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Terrence Howard in the crowd at the 89th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
The casts of "Moonlight" and "Fences" meet on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
The casts of “Moonlight” and “Fences” meet on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Actress and author Taraji P. Henson on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Actress and author Taraji P. Henson on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lin Manuel Miranda at the 86th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lin Manuel Miranda at the 86th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Sting on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Sting on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
David Oyelowo answers questions on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
David Oyelowo answers questions on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Andrew Garfield of "Hacksaw Ridge" on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Andrew Garfield of “Hacksaw Ridge” on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
(WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Pharrell Williams answers questions on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Pharrell Williams answers questions on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Janelle Monae arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Barry Jenkins arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Members of the press react as guests arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Taraji P. Henson arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jessica Biel, left, and Justin Timberlake arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Mahershala Ali arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Ruth Negga, wearing the ACLU ribbon, arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Chrissy Teigen, left, and John Legend arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Viggo Mortensen arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Sunny Pawar arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Dev Patel arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Kirsten Dunst arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Ava DuVernay arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Dakota Johnson arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
WTOP’s Jason Fraley live at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
The red carpet at the 89th Annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
The red carpet at the 89th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Ryan Seacrest spotted at the Oscars. (WTOP/Jason Fraley).
Ryan Seacrest spotted at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Cynthia Erivo, Tony winner from Broadway's "The Color Purple," on the Oscars red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Cynthia Erivo, Tony winner from Broadway’s “The Color Purple,” on the Oscars red carpet at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Robin Roberts on the Oscars red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Robin Roberts arrives at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017.  (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Sofia Carson on the Oscars red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Sofia Carson on the Oscars red carpet at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lin Manuel Miranda on the Oscars red carpet (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lin Manuel Miranda spotted arriving on the Oscars red carpet at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lucas Hedges on the Oscars red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lucas Hedges at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017.  (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Luke Bracey from the movie Hacksaw Ridge on the Oscars red carpet on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Luke Bracey from the movie Hacksaw Ridge on the Oscars red carpet at the 89th annual Academy Awards Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Riz Ahmed from HBO's "The Night Of" spotted at the red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Riz Ahmed from HBO’s “The Night Of” spotted at the red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Taraji P Henson from the movie HiddenFigures on the Oscars red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Taraji P Henson from the movie HiddenFigures on the Oscars red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
John Glenn from the movie Hidden Figures spotted on the red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017.
John Glenn from the movie Hidden Figures spotted on the red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Leslie Mann arrives at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017.
Leslie Mann arrives at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Darby Stanchfield arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Felicity Jones arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Jackie Chan arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Mandy Moore arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Ruth Negga wears an ACLU ribbon as she arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Teresa Palmer arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Ryan Gosling, right, stands with his arms folded as Emma Stone, center, congratulates Mahershala Ali, for winning the award for best picture for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It was originally announced mistakenly that "La La Land" was the winner. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Janelle Monae, center, reacts as "Moonlight" is announced as the winner of best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Barry Jenkins, foreground left, and the cast accept the award for best picture for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Barry Jenkins, foreground center, and the cast accept the award for best picture for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Faye Dunaway, left, and Warren Beatty present the award for best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Tarell Alvin McCraney, center, and Barry Jenkins accept the award for best adapted screenplay for "Moonlight" as Amy Adams, left, watches on at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Matt Damon, left, and Ben Affleck appear backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Emma Stone accepts the award for best actress in a leading role for "La La Land" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Charlize Theron appears backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Janelle Monae appears backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  Actor Viola Davis accepts Best Supporting Actress for 'Fences' onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  (L-R) Makeup artists Giorgio Gregorini, Alessandro Bertolazzi and Christopher Nelson, winners of the Best Makeup and Hairstyling award for 'Suicide Squad', pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  Guests walk the red carpet at the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Ben Peterson/Getty Images)
Actor/singer Auli'i Cravalho performs onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Actor/singer Auli'i Cravalho performs onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Actor Nicole Kidman, Musician Keith Urban, LaTanya Richardson and Samuel L. Jackson attend the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson (2nd L) appears onstage with (L-R) actors Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
(L-R) Actors Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer speak onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Viola Davis arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Alicia Vikander, left, presents Mahershala Ali with the award for best actor in a supporting role for "Moonlight" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Samuel L. Jackson, from left, LaTanya Richardson and Salma Hayek arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Brie Larson arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Chris Evans, left, and Jeremy Renner arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Members from the cast of "Tanna" arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Celebrities on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
"La La Land" composer Justin Hurwitz at the 86th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Mahershala Ali just moments before winning Best Supporting Actor. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Vince Vaughn at the 89th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Terrence Howard in the crowd at the 89th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
The casts of "Moonlight" and "Fences" meet on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Actress and author Taraji P. Henson on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lin Manuel Miranda at the 86th annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Sting on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
David Oyelowo answers questions on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Andrew Garfield of "Hacksaw Ridge" on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Pharrell Williams answers questions on the red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
The red carpet at the 89th Annual Academy Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Ryan Seacrest spotted at the Oscars. (WTOP/Jason Fraley).
Cynthia Erivo, Tony winner from Broadway's "The Color Purple," on the Oscars red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Robin Roberts on the Oscars red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Sofia Carson on the Oscars red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lin Manuel Miranda on the Oscars red carpet (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Lucas Hedges on the Oscars red carpet. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Luke Bracey from the movie Hacksaw Ridge on the Oscars red carpet on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Riz Ahmed from HBO's "The Night Of" spotted at the red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Taraji P Henson from the movie HiddenFigures on the Oscars red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
John Glenn from the movie Hidden Figures spotted on the red carpet during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017.
Leslie Mann arrives at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017.
Turns out, Beatty and Dunaway were given the wrong card — a duplicate of Stone’s Best Actress Oscar for “La La Land” — which left the legendary “Bonne & Clyde” duo to read the wrong winner.

PwC, the accounting and consulting firm that has handled the balloting process at the Academy Awards for 82 years, has apologized for the mix up.

In a way, it was just like the end of the movie “La La Land,” whose lovers got to dance a giant dream ballet and watch “what could have been,” only to snap back to reality in a moment of bittersweet loss. But amid the chaos, let’s not let the confusion overshadow a truly historic win for “Moonlight.”

“I f***ing love ‘Moonlight,'” Stone said graciously. “I think it’s one of the best films of all time.”

Indeed, the inventive indie flick “Moonlight” won three Oscars on the night, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Barry Jenkins (screenplay) and Tarell Alvin McCraney (story) about a young African-American male struggling with his sexuality over three different phases of life in urban Miami.

It’s now officially the first LGBT film to win the Oscar for Best Picture — a feat that groundbreakers like “Philadelphia” (1993) and “Brokeback Mountain” (2005) could not pull off decades ago.

“I never thought it would be seen by so many people, or even better, that so many people would see themselves in it,” Jenkins said backstage. “The last 20 minutes of my life have been insane. I’ve watched the Academy Awards and I’ve never seen that happen. … Hot damn, we won Best Picture!”

The film also won Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali, playing a Cuban crack dealer who becomes a father figure to a bullied youth. Ali becomes the first Muslim ever to win an Oscar.

“After all these years of reading scripts, ‘Moonlight’ is the best thing that ever came across my desk,” Ali said backstage. “Idris (Elba) and David Oyelowo left me a job. Very, very kind of them.”

On the whole, it was still a big night for “La La Land,” which won the most awards with six, including Best Director for Damien Chazelle, who at age 32 became the youngest Best Director winner in Oscar history.

Chazelle’s former college roommate, Justin Hurwitz, won for Best Original Score and Original Song with “City of Stars,” edging out Lin-Manuel Miranda for “How Far I’ll Go” (“Moana”). “La La Land” also won Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and the aforementioned Best Actress for Stone.

Meanwhile, Casey Affleck won Best Actor as a deeply grieving uncle in the haunting “Manchester By the Sea,” which also won Best Original Screenplay for writer/director Kenneth Lonergan.

“I think Ben and I are the only two brothers to both win Oscars,” Affleck said backstage of his brother Ben Affleck, who won for writing “Good Will Hunting” before his Best Picture winner “Argo.”

After winning at the Globes, Affleck held off a late surge by SAG Award winner Denzel Washington for his role as a bitter Pittsburgh family man in August Wilson’s play-to-film adaptation “Fences.”

“Fences” did, however, win for Viola Davis, who was a lock for Best Supporting Actress. This makes Davis the first black woman to win an Emmy, Oscar and Tony for acting. Whoopi Goldberg is a rare member of the EGOT club — Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony — but her Tony came for producing a play.

“Every moment of this film is about the beauty of just living and breathing and being human, not being didactic, not being a walking social message,” Davis said backstage. “I just want to represent me! Living, breathing, failing, getting up in the morning, dying! August was the inspiration.”

In the technical categories, “Hacksaw Ridge” won Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing for its World War II battle sequences, while “Arrival” won Best Sound Editing for its alien atmosphere.

“The Jungle Book” won Best Visual Effects for creating lifelike CGI animals; “Suicide Squad” won Best Makeup & Hairstyling for its superhero stylings; “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” won Best Costume Design; “Zootopia” won Best Animated Feature and “Piper” won Best Animated Short.

The night only got occasionally political, as Jimmy Kimmel roasted President Donald Trump’s claims that Meryl Streep was “overrated.” Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi chose not to attend over the administration’s travel ban, despite winning Best Foreign Language Film for “The Salesman.” Similarly, a cinematographer for the intense Syrian civil war doc short “The White Helmets” also didn’t show.

The Best Feature-Length Documentary went to Ezra Edelman’s “O.J. Made in America,” as Edelman paid tribute to Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman during his acceptance speech.

In the end, it was quite the turnaround from last year’s #OscarsSoWhite controversy. As Jenkins accepted his award, he said, “All you people out there who feel like there’s no mirror for you, that your life is not reflected, The Academy has your back.” Read that again. “The Academy has your back.”

What a difference a year makes.


See the full list of winners below: 

Best Picture: “Moonlight.”

Actor: Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea.”

Actress: Emma Stone, “La La Land.”

Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight.”

Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, “Fences.”

Directing: Damien Chazelle, “La La Land.”

Foreign Language Film: “The Salesman,” Iran.

Adapted Screenplay: “Moonlight,” screenplay by Barry Jenkins, story by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Original Screenplay: Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea.”

Production Design: “La La Land,” Production Design: David Wasco; Set Decoration: Sandy Reynolds-Wasco.

Cinematography: Linus Sandgren, “La La Land.”

Sound Mixing: “Hacksaw Ridge,” Kevin O’Connell, Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace.

Sound Editing: “Arrival,” Sylvain Bellemare.

Original Score: “La La Land,” Justin Hurwitz.

Original Song: “City of Stars” from “La La Land,” music by Justin Hurwitz, lyric by Ben Pasek and Justin Paul.

Costume Design: Colleen Atwood, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

Documentary (short subject): “The White Helmets,” Orlando von Einsiedel and Joanna Natasegara.

Documentary Feature: “O.J.: Made in America,” Ezra Edelman and Caroline Waterlow.

Film Editing: “Hacksaw Ridge,” John Gilbert.

Makeup and Hairstyling: “Suicide Squad,” Alessandro Bertolazzi, Giorgio Gregorini and Christopher Nelson.

Animated Feature Film: “Zootopia,” Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Clark Spencer.

Animated Short Film: “Piper,” Alan Barillaro and Marc Sondheimer.

Live Action Short Film: “Sing,” Kristof Deak and Anna Udvardy.

Visual Effects: “The Jungle Book,” Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

February 27, 2017 | The winners, the highlights and the host (WTOP's Entertainment Editor Jason Fraley)

Jason Fraley

Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.

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