Academy Awards most controversial moments – from slap | UK News

The Academy Awards symbolize the annual gathering of some of the most influential figures on the social and cultural phases of the fashionable world.

Actors, administrators, musicians, composers, activists, comedians and influencers utilise the night to, on event, make statements, appeal to media consideration – albeit not always the most beneficial sort – and specific themselves.

From activism to peculiar public shows of affection, listed here are some of the most controversial moments in Oscar historical past.

1973: Marlon Brando refuses his Oscar statuette

The first major political protest in Oscars historical past occurred in 1973, as Marlon Brando declined to attend the ceremony despite having a Best Actor nomination for his work in The Godfather, reviews the Mirror US.

He in the end gained the award and, reasonably than accepting it, he despatched Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American activist, to converse on his behalf.

She took the stage sporting conventional Apache gown, and told those current: “He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry.”

The assertion was met with blended reactions, including both boos and applause. Subsequently, when questioned about the stunt on the Dick Cavett Show, Brando said: “I felt that it was a marvellous opportunity for an Indian to be able to voice their opinion to 85 million people.”

1974: Robert Opel streaks onstage

Just a yr later, a more tumultuous sudden incident occurred when striker Robert Opel dashed bare across the stage.

Following the spectacle, host David Niven retorted with humour: “Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”.

The man was subsequently recognized as a efficiency artist and homosexual rights activist.

1997: Cuba Gooding Jr. ‘s emotional outburst

Cuba Gooding Jr. clinched the Best Supporting Actor award for his function in Jerry Maguire at the 1997 Oscars.

As his speech prolonged barely longer than scheduled, the orchestra started to play in the background, a recognised signal for when winners are anticipated to wrap up their speeches.

Then, instead of adhering to instructions and concluding, Gooding began shouting the names of his co-stars and crew, including Tom Cruise’s, in an evident show of enthusiasm.

He mirrored on the second when talking to the American Film Institute: “I walked on that stage and emotionally lost my mind. I forgot who I was and where I was for a minute because I think I was closer to that character than any other character [I played] before. I think the emotional response I gave on that stage was the same thing [my character] would have given.”

2000: Angelina Jolie’s household second

One of the largest stars of that period, Angelina Jolie secured the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Girl, Interrupted in 2000. During her acceptance speech, she expressed appreciation in the direction of her brother James Haven, declaring she was “so in love” with him – accompanied by a fast kiss on the lips that same evening.

Jolie later addressed the incident publicly, explaining it was merely an expression of sibling affection, though that did not forestall the second from turning into widely mentioned at the time.

2003: Adrien Brody kisses Halle Berry

Following his Best Actor Oscar triumph for The Pianist, Adrien Brody demonstrated his enthusiasm by kissing presenter Halle Berry on stage – who appeared caught off guard and spent the remainder of the speech subtly wiping her face – before quipping: “I bet they didn’t tell you that was in the gift bag.”

The incident immediately grew to become amongst the most mentioned parts of the ceremony, producing global media coverage.

What appeared as a jovial second initially was reexamined in 2016, when Slate author Christina Cauterucci cited the incident in an article exploring uninvited kisses as inappropriate assault.

Berry mirrored on the episode years afterwards, saying: “Since we didn’t really kiss, I can’t tell you how good he was, but I can tell you this. He was wet.”

The pair subsequently recreated the second during the 2025 ceremony, this time with Berry initiating the kiss.

2016: Chris Rock addresses #OscarSoWhite

The 2016 Oscars ceremony was a socially and politically charged event, with racial variety points being highlighted throughout the show.

The main occasion was when host Chris Rock kicked off with a monologue about the absence of non-white nominees in major appearing classes – for the second yr operating.

“I’m here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White People’s Choice Awards,” Rock quipped.

Prior to the ceremony, activist April Reign had already coined the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, igniting discussions about illustration in Hollywood.

Rock delivered an 11-minute monologue to start the awards show, which was crafted over six weeks with 17 writers, and included express acknowledgements of the Academy’s historical past of excluding people of color.

Producer David Hill elaborated: “We heard bits and pieces during rehearsals, but I hadn’t heard the entire [speech]. But of course I wasn’t worried about [what he would say]. He’s a pro.”

2017: Best Picture envelope mix-up

One of the most tumultuous moments in Oscar historical past transpired in 2017 when presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announced the wrong Best Picture winner.

Due to an envelope mishap – in which the presenters have been handed the cue card to announce Best Actress Emma Stone for La La Land – La La Land was initially declared the victor.

Producers started delivering acceptance speeches before Jordan Horowitz rectified the announcement, stating that Moonlight had in fact triumphed.

2022: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock

The 2022 ceremony featured one of the most extensively debated incidents in Oscar historical past when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage.

During a rehearsed intermission speech between awards, Rock made a joke that referenced Will’s spouse Jada Pinkett Smith – which led to Smith slowly strolling up to him and placing him across the face.

He then returned to his seat and could possibly be seen shouting, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth.”

The second shortly grew to become one of the messiest exchanges between celebrities on live tv in popular culture historical past.

2025: Karla Sofía Gascón controversy

Jacques Audiard’s revolutionary musical drama Emilia Perez was nominated for a number of classes at the 2025 Oscars, and made historical past when Karla Sofía Gascón grew to become the first overtly transgender actor nominated in a lead appearing class.

She was initially praised by audiences, before customers started trawling through her social media profiles and found posts containing offensive commentary, including disparaging remarks about Islam.

After the scandal erupted, she issued a number of statements over a number of days, and insisted she was not a racist, apologised to those offended, and criticised what she called “cancel culture.”

In the run-up to the Academy Awards, Gascón deactivated her account and didn’t attend other high-profile occasions such as the Critics Choice Awards and BAFTA Awards.