Envelope goal, price cancellation and a streaker: The most controversial Oscar moments of all time
It’s the morning after the Oscars and we’re all talking about “the Will Smith slap.”
Here, Kirsty Blake Knox takes a look back at some of the most controversial Oscar moments in Academy Awards history.
It has been described as the worst mistake in Oscars history and dubbed #envelopegate. When Warren Beatty opened the envelope for the 2017 Best Picture winner, he paused, looked confused, glanced down, then turned to Faye Dunaway. Many thought Beatty was joking, so Dunaway picked up the envelope and announced the winner; la la country The cast and crew flocked to the stage to cheer.
Only the best picture wasn’t La La Land, it was Moonlight. And after some hassle, La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz finally took to the mic to announce what had happened.
Element Picture’s Ed Guiney was in the audience that night and described it as a car accident and “insane.”
Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty co-starred in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde
Marlon Brando sends Sacheen Littlefeather to refuse the prize
Brando was honored by the Academy in 1973 for his performance as Vito Corleone in The Godfather, but famously declined to attend the ceremony or accept his award.
Instead, he sent Sacheen Littlefeather to read a letter on his behalf. She cited “the current treatment of American Indians by the film industry and on television and in reruns of films” as the reason for not attending in person. In a speech later released, he stated that “the film community was just as responsible for demeaning the Indian and mocking his character”.
Brando became the second actor to turn down his Oscar, after George C. Scott, who told the Academy he would not accept the award in 1970 for “philosophical reasons.”
video of the day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QUAcU0I4yU
speedster
In 1974, actor David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor to present the best picture award when art gallery owner and activist Robert Opel ran across the stage completely naked.
Niven was quick to respond, “Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh a man will ever get in his life is to strip down and show his flaws?”
As Liz Taylor took the stage, she realized she was going to be difficult to follow.
Afterwards, Opel informed reporters; “People shouldn’t be ashamed of being naked in public.
“Plus, it’s a damn good way to start a career.”
#OscarsSoWhite
In 2015, there was outrage at the lack of diversity and representation at the Oscars. The Academy awarded all 20 acting nominations to white actors, which inspired April Reign to create the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. The pattern repeated again in 2016.
Chris Rock, who hosted this year’s awards ceremony, addressed the issue jokingly in his introductory speech: “You know I wouldn’t even get this job if they nominated the host”.
Will Smith beats Chris Rock
2022 will be remembered as the year Will Smith stormed onto the stage and punched comedian Chris Rock square in the face. It came after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. Pinkett Smith has alopecia and has been open about hair loss.
Referring to Pinkett Smith’s buzzcut, Rock said, “Jada, GI Jane 2 can’t wait.”
Smith then stormed onto the stage and punched Chris Rock in the mouth before returning to his seat and shouting, “Keep my wife’s name out of your damn mouth.”
Rock appeared shocked, saying, “Wow, Will Smith just blew me away.”
Hollywood was divided between those who supported Smith’s defense of his wife and those who found the outbreak of violence shocking.
‘Adele Dazeem’
Travolta famously mispronounced Idina Menzel’s name when introducing her at the 2014 awards.
He gave a heartfelt speech about Menzel’s talents before announcing her as Adele Dazeem.
The moment spread like wildfire and even led to the creation of The Adele Dazeem Generator: Travoltify Your Name.
Luckily, Idina saw the funny side and told James Cordon that Travolta apologized profusely and now she thinks it’s one of the best things that could have happened to her.
Adrian Brody kisses Halle Berry
When Adrian Brody received his Oscar for best actor for The Pianist in 2003, he ran onto the stage and hugged Halle Berry before kissing her passionately.
That caused laughter in the audience at the time. Berry later admitted the kiss caught her completely off guard. Her first reaction was; ‘what the hell is happening!’
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/movie-news/envelope-gate-award-rejection-and-a-streaker-the-most-controversial-oscars-moments-ever-41495352.html Envelope goal, price cancellation and a streaker: The most controversial Oscar moments of all time