Ahead of this weekend’s ceremony, let’s revisit some scandalous moments…<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”credit-name” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Black Han Sans|||on|||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_font=”|||on|||||” header_4_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Words by Georgia Aspinall<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-1239558965.jpeg” alt=”Will Smith” title_text=”TOPSHOT-US-ENTERTAINMENT-FILM-OSCARS-SHOW” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] 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 \u2013 not as the characters they play in our favourite movies, but their genuine reactions and friendships with peers.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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…<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] 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 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Since Hepburn didn’t attend the ceremony, Streisand was able to accept the award without sharing the limelight \u2013 but it became a standout moment for its sheer unlikeness. Now, there\u2019s been six ties across the entire Oscars history.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/Slide-10-Oscars-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Barbara Streisand” title_text=”Barbra Streisand” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] 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 Ben\u00e9t.<\/p>\n In 2017, Berry told Andy Cohen that it was not planned, and that she felt like she was having an out of body experience. \u2018I knew nothing about it,\u2019 she said. \u2018I was like \u201cWhat the f*ck is happening right now?\u201d 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.\u2019 Of course, the kiss was made incredibly light of at the time and has since been reviewed as extremely inappropriate.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-563605439.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ alt=”Adrien Brody Halle Berry” title_text=”Adrien Brody and Halle Berry”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Earlier this year, Brody addressed the moment himself, telling Variety, \u2018We live in a very conscious time, which is a wonderful thing\u2026 nothing that I ever do or have done or would’ve done is ever done with the intention of making anyone feel bad.\u2019 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 Ben\u00e9t and her second husband Olivier Martinez, and is currently dating American musician Van Hunt.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] 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.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] 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.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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. \u2018I mean, I remember they wanted to do an opening for the Academy Awards that year that was sort of joking about it,\u2019 he told Another Man Magazine. \u2018And Heath refused. I was sort of at the time, \u201cOh, okay… whatever.\u201d I\u2019m always like: it\u2019s all in good fun. And Heath said, \u201cIt\u2019s not a joke to me \u2013 I don\u2019t want to make any jokes about it.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n The Academy has never commented on the backlash.\u00a0<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] 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\u2019s wife Jada. Rock had joked about Jada being bald, with Smith defending his wife due to her struggles with alopecia.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-1239558965.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” alt=”Will Smith” title_text=”TOPSHOT-US-ENTERTAINMENT-FILM-OSCARS-SHOW” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] 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\u2019s production \u2013 a moment that fans still feel was the ultimate snub.<\/p>\n 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!<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/Slide-7-Oscars-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Forrest Gump” title_text=”The 67th Annual Academy Awards – Press Room” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] PHOTOS: Getty\/YouTube<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_divider color=”#111111″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” module_class=”custom-divider” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ahead of this weekend’s ceremony, let’s revisit these wild moments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":7466,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","category-news"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"guestgrazia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7414"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7469,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7414\/revisions\/7469"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}When Katharine Hepburn and Barbara Streisand perfectly tied<\/h3>\n
When Adrien Brody kissed Halle Berry and she ‘knew nothing about it’ beforehand<\/h3>\n
Despite the moment making many feel uncomfortable to watch, it appears Berry and Brody have maintained a friendship since. \u2018Congratulations my friend. You are truly one of one!\u2019 Berry commented on one of Brody’s Instagram posts in January.<\/p>\nWhen Marlon Brando boycotted his award<\/h3>\n
When La La Land was mistakenly announced as best picture<\/h3>\n
When they were accused of homophobia<\/h3>\n
When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock<\/h3>\n
When Saving Private Ryan lost best picture<\/h3>\n
When Forrest Gump trumped Pulp Fiction for best picture<\/h3>\n