Stars push the envelope behind the scenes

HOLLYWOOD’S biggest stars walked off-camera, dazed but delighted, into hugs and high-fives.

“Yeah!” an Oscar trophy girl whooped backstage when Jamie Foxx was announced as the best actor winner at Sunday night’s Academy Awards.

After an emotional speech, Foxx followed presenter Charlize Theron into the wings. They embraced and kissed, whispering to each other.

Surprise presenter Julia Roberts ended up with a prize of her own, even though she wasn’t nominated.

She gave Clint Eastwood the best director Oscar, and “when he was finished, instead of going offstage, he went back to his seat, so I have the envelope,” Roberts said, waving it in the air.

After the show, presenter Samuel L Jackson stopped host Chris Rock in the hallway and told him: “You did it, man. Awesome.”

Even former Oscar winners were feeling the tension of Hollywood’s biggest night.

“I’m nervous,” Gwyneth Paltrow confessed, waving her hands in the air. “Nobody’s watching, right? Who cares,” she joked.

After the show ended, the backstage hallway was busy, choked with lingering, chatting celebrities.

Earlier, the hall was the scene of a series of intimate moments, as presenters tracked down winners to hand over the torn white envelope with the winner’s name inside. The informal ceremonies have become something of an Oscar tradition outside the spotlight and away from cameras.

At one point, the Oscars resembled the Grammys when Beyonce, Josh Groban, Prince and Sean P Diddy Combs converged in the wings.

Beyonce enveloped the diminutive Prince in a hug and whispered, “Are you having a party tonight?

“Yes,” the singer murmured.

“I hope we can come,” she replied.