2016 Oscars Trends by Google Canada at The Drake Hotel

While millions of people tuned in to watch the 2016 Academy Awards last weekend, we joined Google Canada at The Drake Hotel for a #DrakeXGoogleOscars VIP viewing party that kept up with the latest Oscars trends searched on Google.

With the awards’ red carpet streaming live, cinema king Richard Crouse, host of the evening, invited guests to cast their votes in The Drake Hotel’s Oscar pool, and join Google Canada’s cinematic trivia game for a chance to win prizes like a NEXUS 6P phone in Oscar gold. Participants were encouraged to use the Google app to search for answers to questions like “How many times has the Star Wars: The Force Awakens official trailer been watched on YouTube?” “What is a foehn wind? What is its more popular name in Canada and what does it have to do with this year’s Academy Awards?” “ Who won the 2008 Academy Awards for Best Actress,” and so on.

Throughout the night, Google Canada shared real-time trends of the show. It was no surprise that Leonardo DiCaprio’s first ever acceptance speech for Best Actor (after six nominations in the past? It’s about time…) was the number one searched moment on Google after the awards ceremony, followed by Lady Gaga’s powerful “Til It Happens to You” performance (from The Hunting Ground, a documentary on campus rape), which had sexually assaulted victims joining her on stage. Chris Rock’s opening monologue that had the audience laughing ranked the third, according to Google.

Though Canada’s own The Weeknd did not bring home a statue, Google tells us that the global search interest for the artist has increased by 488% following his performance.

Other interesting Oscars trends on Google include the most searched speeches (Leonardo DiCaprio, Brie Larson, Alicia Vikander, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Sam Smith) and the most searched performances: “Til it Happens to You” (The Hunting Ground) by Lady Gaga, “Writing on The Wall” (Spectre) by Sam Smith, “Earned it” (Fifty Shades of Grey) by The Weeknd, and Dave Grohl‘s moving “Blackbird” performance in remembrance of all the talents we lost over the past year.

Besides #OscarsSoWhite, the red carpet looks are always controversial. While we argue about whether a gown is a yay or a nay, Google reveals the public’s favourites. According to Google, the best dressed has a 91% higher search rate than the worst dressed in Canada, and this year’s winners are:

1. Charlize Theron’s red plunging gown by Dior Haute Couture accompanied by a 48.8-carat Harry Winston long diamond pendant necklace
2. Lady Gaga’s white jumpsuit with a structured overskirt by Brandon Maxwell
3. Brie Larson’s custom-made royal blue Gucci gown with pleated ruffles and a crystal and pearl belt
4. Jennifer Lawrence’s sheer black and nude lace gown by Dior Haute Couture
5. Saoirse Ronan’s deep-V emerald green sequin gown from Calvin Klein collection

HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Actress Saoirse Ronan attends the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Jennifer Lawrence

HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Actress Brie Larson attends the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Charlize Theron arrives at The 88th Oscars® (photo credit: Aaron Poole)

Oscar®-nominee, Lady Gaga, arrives at The 88th Oscars® (photo credit: Aaron Poole)

(image source: Oscars, WirImage & Getty Images)

My personal favourite has to be Olivia Wilde’s pleated white dress with a total exposed back by Valentino haute couture. What is your favourite 2016 Oscars look?

Meanwhile, follow #GoogleTrends