84th Annual Academy Awards

Tinseltown rolled out the red carpet on Sunday for the town's most prestigious event, The Oscars. The legendary Billy Crystal took center stage to host the 84th Annual Academy Awards marking the ninth time the "When Harry Met Sally" star hosted the annual event.

The night was not without its upsets and suprises. I was a staunch supporter of Viola Davis' performance on "The Help" and had hoped it would garner her a Best Actress win. That honour went to acclaimed actress, Meryl Streep.

This third Oscar for Meryl has been eluding her for nearly thirty years now. Making this win one for the history books as she gets closer to toppling as the actress with with the most Oscar wins.

Woody Allen took home the Best Original Screenplay award for his Midnight in Paris script; the 76-year-old New York filmmaker has also been nominated numerous times over the past decades for his writing, but hasn’t won since 1987.

Then there was the wholly expected yet joyfully received win for Octavia Spencer, who was rewarded for her performance in The Help making her only the Sixth black woman to an Oscar for acting -- five of which were for supporting roles.

The first having been Hattie McAdams for a supporting role in Gone With The Wind (read her story here) and Halle Berry being the first to win the Best Actress Oscar for a leading role with her performance in Monster's Ball opposite Billy Bob Thornton.

Resplendent in white sequins Octavia held her hand to her mouth as the creme de la creme of Hollywood jumped to their feet for her, heartily cheered her on.

Christopher Plummer entered the history books with his win becoming the oldest person to win Best Actor Oscar at 82.

Here is a full list of winners:

Christopher Plummer, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep, Jean Dujardin

Best picture: “The Artist.”

Actress in a leading role: Meryl Streep, “Iron Lady.”

Actor in a leading role: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist.”

Actress in a supporting role: Octavia Spencer, “The Help.”

Actor in a supporting role: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.”

Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist.”

Cinematography: “Hugo.”

Art direction: “Hugo.”

Costume design: “The Artist.”

Makeup: “The Iron Lady.”

Foreign language film: “A Separation,” Iran.

Film editing: “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”

Sound editing: “Hugo.”

Sound mixing: “Hugo.”

Documentary feature: “Undefeated.”

Animated feature film: “Rango.”

Visual effects: “Hugo.”

Original score: “The Artist.”

Original song: “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets.”

Adapted screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, “The Descendants.”

Original screenplay: Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris.”

Live action short film: “The Shore.”

Documentary (short subject): “Saving Face.”

Animated short film: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.”

The Red Carpet

Cameron Diaz

White was the color of the evening, from Rooney Mara's Givenchy gown, to Cameron Diaz's Gucci gown.

E! commentator Giuliana Rancic's white Tony Ward gown with leafy details at the shoulders was stunning, as was Octavia Spencer's perfectly figure-flattering ivory hand-beaded Tadashi Shoji gown.

Emma Stone

One critic said there was a welcome sense of whimsy to Emma Stone's red Giambattista Valli gown, tied up with a huge bow at the neck. I must say she looks better with age, hard to believe that this is the girl in that movie about lying. What's it called again?

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams' burnt orange strapless Louis Vuitton silk ribbon gown seemed to nod to the 1950s and to Marilyn Monroe, whom she played in "My Week With Marilyn." got rave reviews from fashion critics.

So too was Natalie Portman's red polka dot vintage 1954 Dior couture gown which was praised for being "festive and fun".

Sean "Diddy" Combs

As for the guys; Sean "Diddy" Combs' lint roller-wielding personal valet stole the spotlight. Yes P.Diddy came with a person whose job for the entire event was to make sure that his suit is lint free. There's a brotha who knows how to make an entrance.

Pharrell Williams

Also making waves on the redcarpet was Pharrell Williams but unfotunately his look was blasted by Esquire as being too much, too tight, too much fabric and bow-tie... you guessed it, TOO big!

According to Forbes, Emerald and diamonds seemed to the most popular gemstones for the evening. Harry Winston and Fred Leighton were among the favorites of the actresses as were the Swiss brands, Chopard and Piaget. Hollywood’s popular jewelry designers, Lorraine Schwartz and Neil Lane, also had outstanding nights.