The Oscars are all about timing. You want to be at the best party when it's at its peak. But you also want to leave before the crowd thins out. This is a challenge for everyone, especially journalists who are only allowed at a few events. The Vanity Fair Oscar Party is one of the most exclusive events of the night. It's the place to be if you want to see the biggest names in Hollywood all under one roof.

The party starts in the afternoon with a dinner and viewing party for close to 100 guests. This year, Mick Jagger was one of the guests. He had to keep an eye on the time because he had to present the best original song award at the Dolby. During the presentation, he revealed that Bob Dylan was invited to do the honors but passed. After handing the trophy over to the team from Emilia Pérez’s “El Mal, ” he made his way back to Vanity Fair where he mingled with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

The Hollywood Reporter arrived at the party around 11 p. m. Michael Urie was one of the guests. He was excited to be there because it was his first time attending the exclusive event. He arrived solo, like many others in the space, as plus-ones are typically not granted. Time is in his favor as the veteran of stages and screens stars on the critically-acclaimed Shrinking and will soon front the GLAAD Media Awards.

Others are regular attendees like Kylie Jenner, who attended this year on the arm of her nominated beau Timothée Chalamet. They were spotted in a banquette with his fellow A Complete Unknown stars like nominee Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning. The youngest Fanning sibling hugged Barbaro and professed her love. Brandi Carlile weaved through the crowd holding on to wife Catherine. Carlile, Oscar nominated with Elton John for their collaboration on “Never Too Late, ” was fresh from John’s AIDS Foundation bash in West Hollywood Park where Chappell Roan delivered an electric headlining performance and feted her host as a gay icon who paved the way. “The way she honored him was so beautiful, ” Carlile explained. “She’s such a star. ” Carlile’s fellow original song nominee Diane Warren breezed past but not before exclaiming, “We all lost. ”

There were plenty of winners and empty-handed guests on the scene. Best actress nominee Demi Moore, who seemed all but destined to cap her stellar awards season run with Oscar gold, was not sulking but instead making the rounds flanked by her three daughters while accepting hugs and condolences from A-list pals.

Lil Nas X was declining champagne at a back bar on the courtyard despite his female friend’s insistence that they split a bottle of champagne. “I’ve got a shoot tomorrow, ” he said, excitedly. He then politely asked the bartender to pour him a glass of water in a champagne flute. Over his sober shoulders, Queer stars Drew Starkey and Omar Apollo bellied up to the custom three-oven pizza bar by noted L. A. chef Evan Funke and picked a pair of slices.

While the courtyard and Funke’s pizza corner are typically jam-packed with guests, chilly weather kept many indoors. Nippy temperatures don’t go well with naked dresses, which seemed to be everywhere inside the party. Ciara donned yet another sheer look at the Vanity Fair party, which she attended once again with husband Russell Wilson. Though the NFL star does not yet have a new contract, Wilson showed off his impressive skills by darting after a server and intercepting a tray of In-N-Out burgers.

A few feet away, another sports star, Coco Gauff, crouched down to snap a candid photo of Halle Bailey. Directly in front of the duo, Netflix’s reigning global content chief Bela Bajaria huddled with comedy superstar Nate Bargatze as Conan O’Brien walked past. The Oscars host stopped for a hug and a chat. “I love Conan, ” presenter Rachel Zegler told THR when asked what she thought of the show since she experienced it from inside the Dolby. “I’m a big Conan fan. ”

Back inside the main party space, a crowd formed not far from the entrance. It was impossible to miss due to a steady stream of flashbulbs. It was time to go investigate. Standing in the center of the crush were Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison, both of whom were clutching their trophies and surrounded by entourages. It was a moment. “She is the moment, ” a well-heeled guest fittingly explained to THR as she surveyed the scene.

Madison had many more as the clock ticked past midnight. Once the Anora star made it to the courtyard, she was swarmed by peers like Kelvin Harrison Jr. , Danny Ramirez and Colman Domingo. But Jenna Ortega managed to get some one-on-one time with Madison to congratulate her as they stayed in a close conversation for several moments until Ortega was visibly moved to tears in showering her friend with love. Just then, DJ Politik’s voice could be heard booming over the loud speakers from inside the makeshift danceteria Club VF. “If you got an Oscar in your hand, hold it up! ” At that moment, Madison’s hardware was being held by her hard-working publicist Nicki Fioravante.

While there were plenty of Oscar-toting winners still in the mix, no statues could be seen touching the midnight sky from Madison’s corner on the courtyard. But THR did spot Queen Latifah and her partner, Eboni Nichols, making their way towards the exit where they stood curbside waiting for their SUV with the likes of Jodie Turner-Smith. Complimented for her Quincy Jones tribute performance of “Ease on Down the Road, ” Latifah offered pleasantries while Nichols proudly responded, “Didn’t she ease on down the road so well? ” She did, and then they did as their ride pulled up.

With that, it was time to go and it seemed the right call to make with the clock approaching 1 a. m. But not for everyone. “Last call for Natasha Lyonne, ” shouted a valet driver. “One more time for Natasha Lyonne! ”

Oscar Night: The Ultimate Hollywood Party

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