Kate Winslet reached out with shaky hands, taking the gleaming Oscar statuette from Dunn. Her emotions got the better of her, and she threw herself into his arms in a burst of tears.
Frances McDormand, watching from the side, let a little smile slip. Looks like the rumors were true—these two had something special going on.
Dunn patted her back gently and whispered in her ear, "You've still got a speech to give. Don't cry your makeup off!"
Kate gave him a playful tap on the chest, her red lips curving into a smile tinged with mock annoyance. She stepped up to the mic, took a deep breath, and… her mind went blank. All those prepared words for her acceptance speech? Poof, gone.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry," she stammered. "I actually prepared a speech, but I've totally forgotten it now."
Her voice trembled, making her sound like a nervous newbie, which was honestly adorable.
But that raw, heartfelt side of her? That's what Americans loved most—it felt real. Compare that to Anne Hathaway, who later got flak across the country for coming off too fake, too over-the-top. Kate's genuine vibe? Total opposite.
Her honest charm had the whole Shrine Auditorium erupting in thunderous applause, cheering on this 22-year-old starlet.
Hearing the crowd's warm support, Kate's tears started flowing again. She wiped them away messily and choked out, "I really didn't expect this. I never thought I'd win this award. The other nominees are so incredible—I can't believe the Academy picked me."
"This is only my third movie as a lead in Hollywood. I don't know how I got so lucky—nominated for my second film, and now winning with my third…" She trailed off, tearing up again as the audience clapped even louder.
"I'm so grateful to my grandma," she continued. "If she hadn't lent me money back then, I'd never have gone to drama school. And my agent, Hilda—she brought me to Hollywood and made me a film actress. I owe so much to directors like Peter Jackson, Ang Lee, and James Cameron, too. They've helped me grow time and time again. Thank you, guys!"
"Oh, and my parents—they've worked so hard to take care of me. I know they didn't want me in this industry because they understood how tough it is. Every parent just wants their kid to have a simple, happy life. But I love movies, I love acting. Mom, Dad, please understand, okay?"
"And my good friend Leonardo—such a shame he couldn't be here today. But Leo, your performance in *Titanic* was amazing. I couldn't have shone without you. I love you, man! We're still young—we've got so much more to do!"
"Oh, and my best, best, *best* friend, Dunn Walker! Oops, almost forgot you!" Kate laughed through her tears, and the audience chuckled along, totally getting her playful jab.
Dunn, standing off to the side, shot her a big thumbs-up.
Kate was finally easing into it, the nerves fading as bits of her planned speech came back. She grinned and said, "Dunn, wanna know what I'm most thankful for? I'm super grateful you kept me alive during *Titanic*—didn't let me drown in that freezing water!"
"Pfft!" The crowd burst out laughing.
Her honest, witty, heartfelt words were hands-down the highlight of the night. That exaggerated joke? It was really her way of shouting out Dunn's massive effort on *Titanic*.
After tonight, she'd definitely win over even more fans worldwide.
…
Stepping off the stage, Kate was like a little girl who'd just unwrapped her Christmas present—beaming, clinging to Dunn, clutching her Oscar with a grin she couldn't wipe off. She couldn't stop fiddling with it.
Dunn leaned down and whispered, "Wanna come over tonight?"
"For what?" Kate shot him a big, dramatic eye-roll.
"What do you think?" Dunn smirked mischievously. "I wanna taste what an Oscar winner's like."
"Get lost!" Kate huffed, playfully shoving him. "Where's your date? I'm not your stress-relief toy!"
Dunn shrugged. "No one's around. I'm all alone now."
"Well, don't come looking for me. We're friends—I don't want things getting messy like before." Kate shut him down, no hesitation, totally upfront.
This British gal could be a bit clueless sometimes—not as smooth as Liv Tyler, not as worldly as Sofia Coppola, not as polished as Nicole Kidman. She didn't even play the little games Catherine Heigl did. Kate was just… real. Straight-up, loyal, saying whatever was on her mind with friends.
Dunn loved that about her—her big, open personality. He leaned in closer, voice low, "Come on, good friends help each other out."
Kate gave him a half-smile, half-glare. "Help? That's help for *you*, and a disaster for *me*!"
"Ahem…" Dunn coughed, thrown off by her bluntness.
She whispered, "I hear Hollywood's got companies for that—models, nurses, teachers, office types. Ask Leo—he'd know."
Dunn made a face. "I've been at that for two months. I'm bored of it!"
"You… you… ugh, you're unbelievable!" Kate was so flustered she didn't even know what to say. "Anyway, I'm not going to your place!"
…
Everyone knew Dunn presenting Kate's award meant he was out of the running for Best Director.
And sure enough, Curtis Hanson snagged it for *L.A. Confidential*.
Kate didn't get the politics behind it—she just felt bad for Dunn. Gritting her teeth, she muttered, "Dunn, those old geezers at the Academy are so unfair!"
Dunn just patted her hand and smiled softly.
Half an hour later, James Cameron, who'd been sitting still the whole time, finally heard his name.
*Titanic* took Best Picture at the 70th Oscars!
With nearly $1.9 billion at the global box office, Cameron strode up to the stage, brimming with confidence.
His speech was bold, commanding—like he owned the moment.
After two solid minutes, he finished to roaring applause and started to leave. But then he paused, turned back to the mic.
Dunn chuckled to himself. Was *that* moment about to happen?
Sure enough, Cameron's infamous "I'm the king of the world!" shout at the Oscars was one of his life's peak moments.
But then, unexpectedly, Cameron called out, "Dunn!"
The room tensed—everyone could tell something big was coming, something buzzworthy.
"Dunn, you're young, keep pushing! I believe one day, you'll be the king of the world! Go for it!"
His words echoed through the theater.
King of the world!
Dunn froze, stunned.
He never imagined Cameron, in this lifetime, would pass that title to him…
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