LOS ANGELES – At the Governors Ball – theOscars' official afterparty – it wasone winner after anotherraising their newly engraved statuette in glorious victory and celebrating Hollywood's biggest night with their loved ones.
Best actor and actress winnersMichael B. JordanandJessie Buckleyascended the trophy engraving platform as the celebration was in full swing Sunday, March 15. Jordan, who smiled as he watched a woman affix a gold plaque etched with his "Sinners" win on his new hardware, beamed when he saw his sister, Jamila Jordan-Theus, join him onstage.
The actor rushed to her, the two sharing a 10-second embrace as flashes erupted around them. Jordan-Theus cackled as they rocked back and forth, and Jordan tucked her arm into his so they could witness his first Oscar win become cemented in Academy Awards history.
After a long, heated race, Michael B. Jordan is officially an Oscar winner.The actor, producer and director took home the award for best actor at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, for his lead dual roles in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners."
Prior to his Oscar-winning role, however, Jordan initially broke out in television, playing Wallace in Season 1 of the HBO crime drama series "The Wire." His film breakout role was "Fruitvale Station," and he's also known for his work in the "Creed" and "Black Panther" movies.
Scroll through to see more photos of the actor, also known as MBJ, throughout his career and his journey to the Oscars.
Pictured here, Jordan poses with the Oscar for best actor for "Sinners" in the Oscars photo room at the 98th Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Michael B. Jordan as Smoke in the 2025 thriller "Sinners."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan poses for a USA TODAY photo shoot with director Ryan Coogler while promoting "Sinners" in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan joined Michael K. Williams and Andre Royo, costars from HBO's "The Wire," at New York Fashion Week on Feb. 3, 2006." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
One of Michael B. Jordan's early acting gigs was on the ABC television soap opera "All My Children" in the early 2000s.Pictured here, a young Jordan attends a T-Mobile event in New York City in 2006. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Michael B. Jordan poses for a portrait during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 19, 2013, in Park City, Utah." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Idris Elba and Michael B. Jordan attend the 45th NAACP Image Awards presented by TV One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Feb. 22, 2014, in Pasadena, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan played Adonis Johnson opposite Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa in "Creed," a 2015 spinoff of the "Rocky" franchise." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jamie Bell, Miles Teller, Kate Mara and Michael B. Jordan attend the New York premiere of "Fantastic Four" at Williamsburg Cinemas on Aug. 4, 2015, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Michael B. Jordan, Spike Lee and John David Washington attend the 19th Annual AFI Awards on Jan. 4, 2019, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan and Oprah Winfrey speak during Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations on Feb. 5, 2019, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan backstage at the 88th annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on Feb. 28, 2016, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger squared off against the Black Panther played by Chadwick Boseman in the 2018 film "Black Panther."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan accepts the best villain award for his role in "Black Panther" onstage during the 2018 MTV Movie and TV Awards on June 16, 2018, in Santa Monica, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Danai Gurira, Michael B. Jordan, Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong'o celebrate on stage as the cast of "Black Panther" accepts the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Jan. 27, 2019." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan attends the 91st annual Academy Awards with his mother, Donna Jordan, on Feb. 24, 2019, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx attend an event to promote the film "Just Mercy" on Dec. 17, 2019, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan, Kendrick Sampson and others participate in the Hollywood talent agencies march to support Black Lives Matter protests on June 6, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan and Denzel Washington attend the world premiere of "A Journal For Jordan" on Dec. 9, 2021, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar party following the 94th Oscars in Beverly Hills, California, on March 27, 2022." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan attends the ceremony to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 1, 2023, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan accepts the Oscar for best actor for "Sinners" during the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Hollywood, March 15, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan attends the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See Michael B. Jordan's career – 'Sinners,' 'Creed,' and Oscars win
After a long, heated race,Michael B. Jordanis officially an Oscar winner.The actor, producer and director took homethe award for best actorat the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, for his lead dual roles inRyan Coogler's "Sinners."Prior to his Oscar-winning role, however, Jordan initially broke out in television, playing Wallace in Season 1 of theHBOcrime drama series "The Wire." His film breakout role was "Fruitvale Station," and he's also known for his work in the "Creed" and "Black Panther" movies.Scroll through to see more photos of the actor, also known as MBJ, throughout his career and his journey to theOscars.Pictured here, Jordan poses with the Oscar for best actor for "Sinners" in the Oscars photo room at the 98th Academy Awards.
Buckley, who laughed in disbelief upon seeing the flock of admirers watching the winners get their flowers, shared a smooch with husband Freddie Sorensen after presenting her statuette to the Academy staffers. And"Golden" winner EJAE, after stopping for several minutes' worth of fan photos, joined cowriters Zhun, Yu Han Lee and Mark Sonnenblickas in capturing videos of the plaque being screwed on to their "KPop Demon Hunters" trophy.
"I'm just so proud of her," EJAE's fiancé, Sam Kim, said as he gazed up at her from below the stage.
Those who took home a coveted Oscar weren't the only ones celebrating at the Wolfgang Puck-catered event. "Hamnet" producerSteven Spielberg, "Frankenstein" star Jacob Elordi, presenter Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and performer Sterling K. Brown also made an appearance at the fifth-floor afterparty.
From winners' post-Oscars elatedness to snippets of conversations, these were some other moments we observed at the Governors Ball.
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'K-Pop Demon Hunters' have a Huntr/X-worthy reaction to Oscar win
After journeying up several escalators, "Golden" singers Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna – whose voices were featured on the hit "Demon Hunters" soundtrack – let out a collective cheer as EJAE joined them at the party's entrance.
From Emma Stone and Demi Moore having a catch-up to all the winners embracing their major moment backstage, here's a look at everything going on behind the scenes at the 98th Academy Awards.Pictured here, Conan O'Brien talks to Amy Madigan, winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for "Weapons," backstage during the Oscars." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti speak during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Performer Josh Groban poses backstage. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Howell Taylor and actress Elle Fanning share a laugh." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Demi Moore greets this year's best actress nominee (and two time winner) Emma Stone." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The best Oscars moments you didn't see on TV, from backstage sightings to celeb hangouts
FromEmma Stone and Demi Moorehaving a catch-up to all the winners embracing their major moment backstage, here's a look at everything going on behind the scenes at the98th Academy Awards.Pictured here,Conan O'Brientalks to Amy Madigan,winner of the Oscarfor Best Supporting Actress for "Weapons," backstage during the Oscars.
EJAE wiped at her face and shared the trophy with her fellow singers as their entourage joined in celebrating their golden glory.
Kieran Culkincompliments Michael B Jordan's authenticity
As Jordan had his statuette personalized, 2025 best supporting actor winner Kieran Culkin observed, in a side conversation, that the "Sinners" star seemed to be genuinely soaking up his win without any pretenses.
"No one wants to hear your bit unless you're Kristin Wig or Maya Rudolph," he said.
Yvette Nicole Brown, Ken Jeong have a warm 'Community' reunion
From Greendale Community College to the Academy Awards, "Zootopia 2" voice actorYvette Nicole Brownand "K-Pop Demon Hunters's" Ken Jeong remain fond of each other through it all.
The two "Community" alumni, who are expected to reprise their roles as Shirley Bennett and Professor Chang in the 2009-2015 show's highly anticipated film, shared a laugh near the entrance. When they spotted each other near the trophy station, Jeong gave Brown a sweet peck on the cheek.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Oscars afterparty – All the celeb interactions, emotional moments