The Las Culturistas Culture Awards returned in full spectacle this week, bringing maximalist queer energy, absurdist categories, and a record-breaking number of cultch trophies to Bravo and Peacock. Hosted by Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the awards show, originally a bit on their podcast, has now become a full-fledged televised event, packed with over 100 categories and zero interest in traditional definitions of “culture.”
“This is not about intellect,” the duo joked in a press release. “It’s about what feels right in your gut. And your gut says Oprah deserves to receive a heavy award from an Oscar winner and a Real Housewife.”
Let’s break down the night’s biggest wins, strangest categories, and the moments that had gay Twitter spiraling.
Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang opened up the show with a spirited and lively rendition of Lady Gaga‘s “Abracadabra.”
Fashion Was a Bloodsport
After modeling all night in various ensembles, Lisa Rinna walked away with the Outfit of the Year trophy, for “wearing whatever the f— she wants.” Beating out Demi Moore’s trench coat and Timothée Chalamet’s Knicks look, the Real Housewife proved chaos couture is still in style.
Lesbians, Unite: Rapp Honors Grandma
Reneé Rapp presented the Excellence in Lesbianism award, which went, against all odds, to “your grandma.” Competing against icons like Miss Honey, MUNA, and carabiners, Grandma emerged victorious. Rapp read her “acceptance speech,” proving once again that lesbian excellence spans generations.
Goldblum’s Chest, Giamatti’s Paint, and Other Cinematic Highs
In the Most Amazing Impact in Film category, Jeff Goldblum’s bare chest in Jurassic Park beat out AI-generated nonsense and Paul Giamatti’s smurf cosplay in Big Fat Liar. Goldblum accepted shirtless-adjacent, teasing the crowd with just enough unbuttoning to make Twitter collectively combust.
Quinta Brunson’s Mirror Moment
Winning the Eva Longoria Award for Tiny Woman, Huge Impact, Quinta Brunson delivered one of the night’s standout speeches. “To every bathroom mirror that told me I couldn’t see, I can see me now!” she shouted, besting competition like Sabrina Carpenter and Boop! The Musical.
Platt, Pepsi, and a Pop Culture Key Change
Ben Platt’s orchestral cover of Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” was part ballad, part fever dream. Yang called it their “monoculture moment,” and honestly, it delivered. Strings swelled. Emotions ran high. Addison Rae has never felt more dramatic.
Missing In Action, But Not Forgotten
In a chaotic twist on an In Memoriam, Yang and Rogers sang Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” while showing a slideshow of celebs who skipped the show, complete with fake excuses. Michelle Obama was “too good,” Sarah Sherman was “missing,” and Troye Sivan filmed his absence from Mallorca.
Lucy Dacus, who was supposedly unavailable, appeared mid-song just to prove a point.
Gaga Closes the Show…Sort Of
The coveted Record of the Year went to Lady Gaga for her fictional smash hit “Abracadabra.” With Mother Monster absent, Rogers and Yang accepted on her behalf, fully aware they’d been on stage the entire night.
“Now give these real awards to Gaga, you cowards!” Rogers shouted, ending the show with tears, laughter, and a microphone drop.
Other Highlights
- Allison Janney received the Lifetime of Culture Award, delivered by Kristen Wiig with interpretive dance reenactments of Janney’s greatest hits.
- Andy Samberg, wearing his most bro-coded outfit, accepted the Creatine Award for Straight Male Excellence.
- Remi Wolf performed “Soup” in full rainbow cowboy glam.
- Kenan Thompson took home Titan of Culture, reminding us he’s basically the backbone of TV comedy.
- Jamie Lee Curtis presented her namesake award with full pom-poms, cheering for “gusto, enthusiasm, and individuality.”
- Robyn (spelled with a “y”), the cut Riddler assistant from Batman lore, won Best Batman Woman. She dedicated it to “all women who type.”
