Awards season 2025 is dazzling, from Hollywood’s golden night to Ghana’s anticipated celebrations of music and theater. The Oscars have just crowned their champions, while Ghana’s stages are gearing up for their own spotlight moments. Here’s the latest—fresh triumphs and what’s brewing—served with magazine shine.
Oscars 2025: Anora’s Night of Triumph
The 97th Academy Awards dazzled on March 2, 2025, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, hosted by Conan O’Brien. Anora, Sean Baker’s indie masterpiece, swept five awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Baker’s four wins for one film tied Walt Disney’s single-night record, a historic nod to indie grit. Adrien Brody claimed his second Best Actor Oscar for The Brutalist, outshining Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Zoe Saldaña made history as the first Dominican-American Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, which also won Best Original Song (“El Mal”), while Kieran Culkin took Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain.
Tech wins went to Dune: Part Two (Best Sound, Visual Effects), and Wicked’s Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win Best Costume Design. Amid LA wildfires, a firefighter tribute and Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s Wicked opener set the tone. X trended #AnoraSweep, with fans buzzing over Madison’s upset over Demi Moore (The Substance). It was a night of surprises and cinematic swagger.
Ghana Music Awards 2025: Titans Ready to Clash
The 26th Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), expected in spring 2025—likely April or May at Accra’s Grand Arena—is poised to electrify. Organized by Charterhouse, the event’s buzz is heating up, with Telecel rumored as the new title sponsor, replacing Vodafone per industry chatter. Black Sherif, 23, fresh off his 2022 Artist of the Year win, is a frontrunner to repeat with his 2024 hit “Kilos Milos”, eyeing Best Hip-Hop Song and Most Popular Song of the Year. Stonebwoy, 36, could dominate Reggae/Dancehall Artist and Album of the Year with Up & Runnin6, a 2024 standout.
Sarkodie, 38, is tipped for Best Rap Performance with his The Championship EP, while Gyakie, 25, aims for Best Female Vocalist with “December”. Shatta Wale’s 2024 feuds might fuel a wildcard run. Past champs—Black Sherif’s 2022 rise, Stonebwoy’s 2019 double—set the stage for a showdown. Look for #VGMA26 to ignite X, with Telecel amplifying streams and Ghana’s sound hitting global ears.
National Theatre Awards 2025: Stage Stars in Waiting
Ghana’s theater scene could shine with the inaugural National Theatre Awards, slated for late March 2025 at the National Theatre in Accra, backed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Unhappy Wives, Confused Husbands—a 2024 hit blending humor and insight—might claim Best Play, showcasing his knack for packed houses. Lydia Forson, 40, known for The Fisherman’s Diary, is a strong Best Actress contender, her depth a draw.
With theater on the rise—Whyte’s sold-out runs, Forson’s global nods—this debut promises polish. Expect #NTAGhana25 to spark chatter, balancing veteran craft with calls for fresh voices.
Rewind: Ghana’s Award Roots
Ghana’s award legacy fuels this anticipation. Black Sherif’s 2022 VGMA Artist of the Year win at 20 broke records, while Stonebwoy’s 2019 haul (Artist, Reggae/Dancehall) and Sarkodie’s rap nods (e.g., 2022 Best Collaboration) trace a path of excellence. Shatta Wale’s 2014 VGMA sweep adds fire to the mix. These milestones hint at 2025’s potential—a season of fierce talent ready to shine.
The Beat Ahead
The Oscars’ Anora triumph kicks off 2025 with global glitz, while Ghana’s VGMA and Theatre Awards loom as local showcases—Black Sherif’s beats, Whyte’s wit poised to dazzle. From Hollywood’s glow to Accra’s groove, it’s a tale of gold today and glory tomorrow.
Stay tuned—these stages are set to soar!
