With huge fan bases, wealth and a team of staff whose entire job is to get them what they want in life, one can only imagine the intense personalities fame creates. And during award season, we get to see those personalities on screen for real – not as the characters they play in our favourite movies, but their genuine reactions and friendships with peers.

Naturally then, more than a few controversial moments have been caught on camera at awards ceremonies like the Oscars. And this year, the Academy Awards have been running for 97 years, so a fair few scandalous moments stand out as the most controversial to be recorded at the prestigious event.

Wondering what they are? Allow us to deep dive for you. From actors boycotting the awards on moral grounds, to surprise on-stage fights, here are some of the most controversial moments in Oscar history…

When Katharine Hepburn and Barbara Streisand perfectly tied

In 1969, Barbara Streisand and Katharine Hepburn tied for best actress in their respective films, ‘Funny Girl’ and ‘The Lion in Winter’. Both actors, Streisand a newcomer at the time, received 3,030 votes from the Academy – with audience members stunned into silence hearing the news. Previously, there has been two mutual wins, but only because the votes came with three of each other, never due to a complete tie – actors Fredric March and Wallace Beery both won the Best Actor prize in 1932 for their performances in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Champ, respectively, while A Chance to Live and So Much for So Little claimed Best Documentary Short Film in 1949.

Since Hepburn didn’t attend the ceremony, Streisand was able to accept the award without sharing the limelight – but it became a standout moment for its sheer unlikeness. Now, there’s been six ties across the entire Oscars history.

When Adrien Brody kissed Halle Berry and she ‘knew nothing about it’ beforehand

In 2003, Adrien Brody won an Oscar for his role in ‘The Pianist’. However, the biggest surprise was when he walked on stage and immediately kissed Halle Berry. At the time, Berry was married to singer-songwriter Eric Benét.

In 2017, Berry told Andy Cohen that it was not planned, and that she felt like she was having an out of body experience. ‘I knew nothing about it,’ she said. ‘I was like “What the f*ck is happening right now?” That is what was going through my mind. I was there the year before and I know the feeling of being out of your body [so] I just went with it.’ Of course, the kiss was made incredibly light of at the time and has since been reviewed as extremely inappropriate.

Earlier this year, Brody addressed the moment himself, telling Variety, ‘We live in a very conscious time, which is a wonderful thing… nothing that I ever do or have done or would’ve done is ever done with the intention of making anyone feel bad.’
Despite the moment making many feel uncomfortable to watch, it appears Berry and Brody have maintained a friendship since. ‘Congratulations my friend. You are truly one of one!’ Berry commented on one of Brody’s Instagram posts in January.

Since 2021, Brody has been in a relationship with Georgina Chapman, the fashion designer and ex-wife of Harvey Weinstein. Berry is divorced, from both Benét and her second husband Olivier Martinez, and is currently dating American musician Van Hunt.

When Marlon Brando boycotted his award

In 1971, Marlon Brando won best actor for his role in ‘The Godfather’. However, the actor was boycotting the ceremony in protest of Hollywood’s negative portrayal of Native Americans. He instead asked actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather to take to the stage and decline the Oscar on his behalf, she gave an impassioned speech about Native American rights that was met with both cheers and boos by the viewing audience.

When La La Land was mistakenly announced as best picture

In an excruciating watch at the 2017 Oscars, ‘La La Land’ was accidentally announced as the best picture winner, with the cast and producers taking to the stage to accept the accolade. Only then was ‘Moonlight’ announced as the actual winner, making for the most awkward onstage moment at the Oscars of all time.

It turns out presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong envelope before going on stage, which contained Best Actress winner Emma Stone for her role in La La Land, instead of the Best Picture winner card.

When they were accused of homophobia

As one of the highest-grossing romance films of all time, ‘Brokeback Mountain’ was largely expected to win for Best Picture in 2006. However, ‘Crash’ took the prize. Many critics accused the Academy of homophobia following the decision given the relative awards and nominations of each film. The film had faced substantial homophobic commentary upon release, despite its success at the box office.

Jake Gyllenhaal, one of the stars of Brokeback Mountain, later alleged in an interview that the Academy had asked him and co-star Heath Ledger to joke about the film but Ledger refused. ‘I mean, I remember they wanted to do an opening for the Academy Awards that year that was sort of joking about it,’ he told Another Man Magazine. ‘And Heath refused. I was sort of at the time, “Oh, okay… whatever.” I’m always like: it’s all in good fun. And Heath said, “It’s not a joke to me – I don’t want to make any jokes about it.”’

The Academy has never commented on the backlash. 

When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock

In scenes that shocked guests in the Dolby Theatre – and set social media alight – Will Smith stormed the stage at the 2022 ceremony to slap presenter Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada. Rock had joked about Jada being bald, with Smith defending his wife due to her struggles with alopecia.

Smith went on to win Best Actor for his performance in King William that night. While the Academy did not revoke his award, he was issued with a ten-year ban from attending any Academy events.

When Saving Private Ryan lost best picture

The huge influence of the now disgraced Harvey Weinstein was evident at the 1999 Academy Awards, when his film Shakespeare In Love beat Saving Private Ryan for best picture. Given Steven Spielberg had already won best director for the film, it was largely assumed the legendary war movie would win big on the night. Alas, it was trumped by Weinstein’s production – a moment that fans still feel was the ultimate snub.

When Forrest Gump trumped Pulp Fiction for best picture

While it may surprise some, Forrest Gump winning best picture in 1995 was hugely contested by film fans. Up against The Shawshank Redemption and Pulp Fiction, the film was largely considered to be less acclaimed than fellow nominees. Truly shocking still to this day!

PHOTOS: Getty/YouTube