The win might have been considered a major upset when the nominations were announced on Feb.
She beat out fellow nominees Olivia Colman, Penélope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Kristen Stewart.
Smith spoke shortly after an onstage confrontation with comedian Chris Rock, who made a crack at his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
DeBose beat out fellow nominees Jessie Buckley, Judi Dench, Kirsten Dunst and Aunjanue Ellis.
Simmons, “House of Gucci” stars Lady Gaga and Jared Leto — or “House of Random Accents,” as Sykes called it — and U.S.
Chastain, though, was a notable exception by taking her seat for the pre-show.
The editing award went to Joe Walker, who joked about his kids and how it’s sometimes hard for them with his work.
The academy is experimenting with a staggered start this year, naming victors in eight categories during the hour before the show formally begins at 5 p.m.
The new approach is rubbing many the wrong way.
Eleven-year-old Jude Hill arrived with his mom Shauneen, posing for photos before the ceremony.
Hill plays Buddy in “Belfast,” a semi-autobiographical film by Kenneth Branagh.
An hour before the broadcast begins, attendees will assemble in the Dolby for the presentation of eight awards and acceptance speeches that will be edited into a broadcast that producer Will Packer has promised will be a tight three hours.
It’s one of many shifts, both slight and tectonic, around this year’s ceremony.