The Oscars were held and televised the other night and that’s not normally something I watch.
The stage tends to be dominated by a bunch of coastal elites, completely removed from the issues that affect everyday Americans. Yet somehow, they still think they’re in the perfect position to preach to the public about whatever issue their PR team decided they should care about this week.
It’s typically nauseating.
But this time, I’ll admit, there were a few moments that caught my attention. A few that have since gone viral. And more importantly, a few that point to something bigger… something worth a little bit of optimism.
Irish actress Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, a film centered on William Shakespeare’s personal life and the devastating loss of his 11-year-old son. Buckley portrayed his wife and afterward, she shared something that Hollywood doesn’t often amplify.
She said that playing the role made her realize just how important and fulfilling motherhood truly is.
She dedicated her speech to her family, and then made these remarks about her husband and motherhood—listen:
In an age—and in an industry—that constantly tells women that marriage is a trap and children are a burden, hearing something like that is genuinely refreshing.
Now, I’m not sure Hollywood quite knew what to do with her joke about 20-thousand babies. That’s not exactly on-brand for a crowd more focused on climate change and gender identity. But I’ll say it—I appreciated it.
Women deserve to hear that motherhood is not just meaningful, but deeply worthwhile. Yes, it demands a lot. But alongside a loving marriage, it’s one of the most rewarding callings there is.
That moment stood out.
And then there was Michael B. Jordan.
Hollywood is not exactly known for its reverence toward God, which made his Best Actor acceptance speech all the more noticeable. He opened it like this:
Did you catch the reaction? Or rather—the lack of one?
“God is good” didn’t exactly bring the house down. The applause was noticeably muted. But he said it anyway and even doubled down, just in case they missed it.
They had no problem cheering for his family. But a simple acknowledgment of God? That made people uncomfortable.
Still, here’s the thing: we’re starting to see more of this.
And no, I’m not suggesting celebrities should be your spiritual compass. That’s not the point. The point is that public expressions of faith are becoming less rare… and that’s a positive shift.
And it’s not just happening in Hollywood.
It’s happening in sports, too.
Years ago, Tim Tebow stood almost alone in this space—bold about his faith, unapologetic, and widely treated as an outlier for it.
That’s no longer the case.
Take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who had this to say after winning the College National Championship earlier this year:
A confident, grounded young man who’s not afraid to say what he believes on camera, no less. And he’s been consistent about it.
Professional athletes are doing the same.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye thanked God immediately after winning the Super Bowl last month. First thing he did. And during the post-game press conference, he made it clear what matters most:
Now compare that to the last Patriots dynasty quarterback—Tom Brady.
Six Super Bowls. Unmatched success. And yet, in a 60 Minutes interview years ago, this is what he said:
It’s haunting, isn’t it?
Drake Maye doesn’t have that problem. Because he’s not looking for ultimate purpose in a trophy.
And maybe that’s the shift we’re starting to see.
It feels like the “woke wall” is cracking.
More and more people—people with massive platforms—aren’t afraid to speak openly about what they believe. Five or ten years ago, that seemed almost impossible. Back then, the unspoken rule was simple: keep quiet about anything “controversial” if you want to keep getting paid.
But the public has changed.
The American people have made it clear—especially online—that authenticity matters. That truth matters. That we’d rather hear something real than something rehearsed.
Case in point: Team USA hockey player Tage Thompson.
After the team visited the White House following their Olympic gold medal win, Thompson caught heat for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat. Naturally, the outrage machine kicked in.
But he didn’t back down:
That response alone dismantles a lot of the caricatures we’re constantly fed about people on the right.
Reasonable. Respectful. Willing to disagree without hatred.
That’s how you make a country strong.
And it doesn’t stop there—Thompson also spoke openly about his faith:
Now, the internet has its downsides—no question about it.
But one of its biggest upsides is this: it gives us access. Access to real conversations, real perspectives, and moments like these that would’ve been filtered out a decade ago.
And I think that’s a good thing.
For the last 20 years, the cultural pendulum swung hard to the left. But in some ways, it feels like it’s starting to swing back—not artificially, but because people are demanding it.
We’re seeing more leaders, more public figures, more athletes who are willing to say what they believe without apology.
And as long as that continues, as long as people don’t take it for granted and keep pushing for that kind of honesty. I think it’s here to stay.