The red carpet is the hallmark of any celebrity-studded event in the entertainment industry, but Oscars 2023 has different ideas. The Academy Awards are breaking a long-standing tradition by introducing a champagne-colored carpet. While the rationale for the carpet's change in colour is being debated, Jimmy Kimmel has a fairly amusing explanation considering the infamous event with Will Smith.
One of the most memorable moments from the Oscars 2022 was when Smith smacked comedian Chris Rock in the face after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's baldness. Even though the iconic incident happened a year ago, debates and jokes about it never stop.
The Oscars 2023 are presently being prepared, and host Jimmy Kimmel is keeping everyone informed. The host will serve in such capacity at the third Oscars ceremony. In a recent video clip shared by AP, Kimmel was seen discussing the choice to change the colour of the carpet while outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. In the video, Kimmel discussed the continuing debate about whether there will be any unrest at the Oscars this year and expressed his optimism that there won't be.
He also made fun of Will Smith's slap gate incident by joking that the champagne colour denotes a bloodless award event. Jimmy Kimmel remarked: “But if there is, I think the decision to go with a champagne carpet rather than a red carpet shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed.” He continued by saying that something like this could only occur in Hollywood, “I’ve never really done play-by-play for carpeting before.”
There are many speculations regarding why the Oscars carpet may change colour in 2023, but it seems to be just a creative choice. The decision was guided by Lisa Love and Raul Avila, the Met Gala's design director, who also made sure the carpet would cover the entire floor. Love also indicated that they intended to change the programme from being a daytime event to a nighttime one.