Advertisement

Oscars 2021: Riz Ahmed steals red carpet after fixing his wife's hair for photographers

Watch: Riz Ahmed fixes wife's hair on Oscars red carpet

Riz Ahmed might not win an Oscar tonight, but he won plenty of hearts on the red carpet.

The 38-year-old star, who is nominated for his lead role in Sound of Metal, was spotted asking photographers to wait so that he could lend a hand to his wife — writer Fatima Farheen Mirza.

Read more: Ahmed discusses lengthy prep for Sound of Metal role

Ahmed referred to himself as the "official groomer" for his partner, sparking an outpouring of affection from excited fans on social media.

BuzzFeed writer Nora Dominick called Ahmed a "perfect human" after noting the interaction, while another user said he was "amazing".

Riz Ahmed and Fatima Farheen Mirza attend the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021. (Photo by Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images)
Riz Ahmed and Fatima Farheen Mirza attend the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021. (Photo by Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images)

Ahmed met Mirza in a coffee shop — romcom meet-cutes do happen in real life — while he was preparing for his role in Sound of Metal and the pair wed in secret.

In an extra adorable touch, he revealed in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel that he popped the question to his wordsmith partner by spelling out his proposal using Scrabble tiles.

Read more: Everything on Amazon Prime in April 2021

Ahmed said the couple's wedding was a low-key affair, with only a limited number of guests allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

He said: "Obviously, we kept it super intimate and socially distanced. There was just like, hardly anyone there really.

"We did it in a backyard, which is nice in lots of ways. I think the nicest thing about it was you didn't have 500 aunties hanging around you, pinching your cheeks."

Riz Ahmed as Ruben in 'Sound of Metal'. (Credit: Vertigo Releasing)
Riz Ahmed as Ruben in 'Sound of Metal'. (Credit: Vertigo Releasing)

In Sound of Metal, Ahmed plays hard rock drummer Ruben who has to deal with a downward spiral after the sudden loss of his hearing.

His partner and bandmate, played by Olivia Cooke, is concerned about Ruben experiencing a relapse of his drug addiction and enrols him in a retreat for deaf addicts run by Joe — portrayed by fellow Oscar nominee Paul Raci.

Read more: Try our tricky Best Picture Oscar quiz

The movie debuted in the UK via Amazon Prime Video this month and is nominated for a total of six Oscars, including Best Picture.

The ceremony is airing this evening, from several locations in Los Angeles as well as venues across the world.

Watch: Trailer for Riz Ahmed in Sound of Metal