Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor at the Academy Awards after beating strong favourite Timothée Chalamet. The award marked Jordan’s first Oscar win and his first nomination. He received the honour for his role in the film Sinners.
The victory capped a strong night for the movie, which collected four awards during the ceremony. Earlier in the awards season, Chalamet appeared to be the frontrunner. He won major prizes at the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Golden Globe Awards.
However, the race shifted in the final weeks.
Jordan gained momentum after winning at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. He also triumphed over competitors at the BAFTA Film Awards race, where Robert Aramayo secured the Best Actor prize. The SAG Awards often predict the Oscars winner, and this year the trend held true.
Meanwhile, Chalamet’s film Marty Supreme had a disappointing night. Despite receiving nine nominations, the film left the ceremony without a single award.
Chalamet’s loss also marked his third Oscars defeat. He previously missed out on Best Actor for Call Me by Your Name. During his acceptance speech, Jordan honoured the Black actors who paved the way for him.
He named legendary performers including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker and Will Smith. Jordan thanked the audience for supporting his career and promised to keep improving as an actor.
One of the most memorable moments of his speech came when he spotted his mother in the crowd. He paused briefly before joking: “Yeah mama, what’s up?” The moment drew laughter from the audience and quickly became a highlight of the ceremony.
Jordan’s victory also highlighted the success of Sinners, which became one of the biggest winners of the night. Overall, the 2026 Oscars delivered several surprises. However, Jordan’s breakthrough win stood out as one of the evening’s defining moments.
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