Were you crying when the winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role was announced? We can admit that we were! After what feels like an eternity, Leonardo DiCaprio has finally been recognized for his incredible talent by winning his first Oscar at the 2016 Academy Awards.
In this moment, we were all Kate Winslet.
Leonardo has been nominated in this category five times in total – all for strong roles – and his win tonight was not something Leo, The Academy, or his fans took lightly. When Leo walked to the stage to take his award, the entire audience was on their feet with applause roaring through the crowd. The look on Leo’s face as he saw the reaction from his peers was one that no words will do justice. In fact, the only one that even comes close is humble.
Leo didn’t let his moment pass without using his voice to remind viewers, his peers, and the world to acknowledge climate change and to do everything possible to ensure a good quality of life for not just this generation, but the ones to come. He urged us all to support world leaders who stand for change and a good future vs ones who work off of greed and selfishness.
The film he won Best Actor in, The Revenant, is a film about a man who has to adapt to surviving in the wilderness – there was truly no better moment for him to ask for all of us to protect the place where we live.
Leo finished his speech with a statement that earned him another ovation as he made his way off the stage.
‘I do not take tonight for granted’
No fan of Leonardo DiCaprio will take this night for granted. It feels like we all experienced a bit of history tonight, watching an actor who gives his all to his craft, be recognized for doing so.
Congratulations to all of the winners tonight during The Oscars, and to Leo, enjoy your win – it is well deserved.