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Oscars 2021: Chloe Zhao FIRST Asian woman to win Best Director, fans rejoice 2 Asians 'winning twice in a row'

Fans laud Zhao for her 'class act' for 'Nomadland' and for quoting a Chinese poem that says people are born inherently good

After a two-month postponement, the 93rd Academy Awards kicked off with much fanfare on Sunday, April 25, at 6.30 pm EST, with no hosts for tonight's ceremony amid the Covid-19 pandemic. With the most diverse nominations to date and an in-person ceremony that will not allow candidates to use Zoom, the Oscars ceremony is expected to be historic.

The ceremony, which will be conducted without a host, will take place at Union Station in Los Angeles and at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where the show is usually held. All eyes were on the Best Director category and the winner was Chloé Zhao for 'Nomadland'. Zhao made history as she became the first Asian woman to win in the category. The other nominations for the category included Thomas Vinterberg for 'Another Round',  David Fincher for 'Mank', Lee Isaac Chung for 'Minari' and Emerald Fennell for 'Promising Young Woman'.

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'Asian directors winning twice in a row'

"two consecutive best director winners of asian descent. that's pretty damn cool. #Oscars," a Twitter user said. "Chloe Zhao wins!!!!! Asian directors winning twice in a row!!!! #Oscars," said another. "This is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves, and to hold on to the goodness in each other," said Zhao while taking her award. "Zhao is the first woman of Asian descent and just the second woman ever to win the award," a Twitter user said.

'A class act'

"She nailed it. The whole thing. Like I said, a class act. Congratulations Chloe Zhao, a most deserving winner. Let's go!" a Twitter user said. "Congratulations, Chloé Zhao! I love the classic Chinese poem she quoted. 人之初性本善 (ren zhi chu xing ben shan) which means people at birth are inherently good. Our criminal legal system could learn a thing or two," said another.

The official Academy Awards preshow, ‘Oscars: Into the Spotlight’ began airing on ABC at 6.30 pm ET. With Ariana DeBose and Lil Rel Howery as hosts, it offered a behind-the-scenes look at the big night with red carpet coverage and interviews. The main ceremony started at 8 pm ET on ABC.