The Oscars, a night meant to celebrate cinematic achievements, have a long and storied history filled with moments that have left audiences stunned, amused, and sometimes, utterly outraged. From unexpected outbursts to behind-the-scenes drama, the Academy Awards have never been short on controversy. Here’s a look at some of the most scandalous and talked-about incidents to ever grace the glittering stage.
A Star’s Stumble: Timothée Chalamet’s Comments on Arts
Ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards, third-time Best Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet found himself in hot water after a series of remarks about ballet and opera. During a CNN & Variety Town Hall event, Chalamet expressed a seemingly dismissive view on the relevance of these art forms, stating, “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera. Things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore.'” This sentiment quickly ignited backlash, not only from the ballet and opera communities but also from the wider public. Many pointed out the irony, given that ballet has a significant connection to Chalamet’s own family, with his sister, mother, and grandmother all having careers as ballerinas.
Ballet icon Misty Copeland eloquently addressed the controversy during a panel discussion. She acknowledged Chalamet’s invitation to promote his film, but highlighted the enduring cultural significance of art forms beyond mainstream pop culture. Copeland stated, “But I think that it’s important that we acknowledge that, yes, this is an art form that’s not ‘popular’ and a part of pop culture as movies are, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have enduring relevance in culture. You see it reflected everywhere.”
A Historic Nomination and a Social Media Storm: Karla Sofía Gascón
In 2025, Karla Sofía Gascón made history as the first openly transgender actor to be nominated for Best Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. However, her nomination was soon overshadowed by past tweets. Journalist Sarah Hagi brought attention to multiple anti-Islam posts Gascón had made over the preceding decade, many of which remained accessible on Twitter.
A source close to the Academy indicated that Gascón’s tweets did not violate campaign rules as they didn’t involve other nominees or films. Despite this, Netflix reportedly paused funding for her Oscars campaign. However, reports later emerged that the streaming service intended to support her attendance at the ceremony. Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, clarified the organisation’s stance to The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “The Academy does not condone hate speech — I want to be very clear about that. Karla’s nomination is historic. That’s really important. She’s still a nominee. We honor that, but we do not condone hate speech.”
Gascón herself told CNN en Español that her co-stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez were supportive. However, both actresses later offered statements that seemed to distance themselves from any endorsement of negative rhetoric. Zoe Saldana remarked on the Variety Awards Circuit podcast, “I do not support any negative rhetoric of racism and bigotry towards any group of people. That is what I want to stand for.” Selena Gomez, speaking at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, commented, “Some of the magic has disappeared.”
The Slap Heard ‘Round the World: Will Smith and Chris Rock
The 2022 Academy Awards were irrevocably marked by an incident involving host Chris Rock and actor Will Smith. Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, to which she reacted with an eye-roll. Later, an enraged Will Smith walked onto the stage and physically assaulted Chris Rock. The incident sent shockwaves through the audience and the global viewership.
Moments after the assault, Smith returned to his seat and later that evening, accepted the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard. However, the repercussions were significant. Smith was subsequently banned from attending the Academy Awards for ten years.
A Case of Mistaken Identity: La La Land vs. Moonlight
In a stunning turn of events at the 2017 Best Picture presentation, presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty inadvertently announced La La Land as the winner, when the actual recipient was Moonlight. The error was only realised midway through the La La Land cast and crew’s acceptance speech. Producer Jordan Horowitz was reportedly shown the correct envelope, prompting him to interrupt the proceedings to announce Moonlight as the true winner, ensuring the film received its rightful moment in the spotlight.
Declining the Ultimate Prize: Dudley Nichols
The very first person to decline an Oscar was screenwriter Dudley Nichols. A key figure in the formation of the Screen Writers Guild, Nichols refused his Best Original Screenplay award in 1936. He did so to protest the studios’ preferential treatment of members of the rival Screen Playwrights Guild, which he felt undermined the interests of the nearly 1,000 members of the Screen Writers Guild. His stand eventually led to a National Labor Relations Board mediation that favoured the SWG, effectively dissolving the competing guild. Nichols eventually accepted his Oscar several years later.
A Naked Interruption: The 1974 Streaker
During the 1974 Academy Awards, as host David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor, a streaker unexpectedly ran across the stage behind him, flashed a peace sign, and vanished. Niven, ever the showman, quickly defused the situation with a witty remark.
Blackface Controversy: Billy Crystal’s Skit
In 2012, host Billy Crystal’s opening segment included a pre-filmed skit that parodied the Best Picture nominees. In the video, Crystal appeared in blackface, portraying Sammy Davis Jr. This portrayal drew criticism, with many viewers and social media users deeming it inappropriate and offensive, especially given Crystal’s past use of similar portrayals on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s.
An Unwanted Kiss: Adrien Brody and Halle Berry
In 2003, when Halle Berry presented Adrien Brody with the Best Actor award, Brody unexpectedly kissed her on stage. Berry later recounted the surreal experience on Watch What Happens Live, admitting her initial reaction was one of shock and confusion. “I was too focused on ‘What the **** is going on right now?'” she stated. In a humorous turn of events, in 2025, Berry seemingly got her “revenge” by kissing Brody on the red carpet, even apologising to his partner, Georgina Chapman.
Gum Dropping and Lengthy Speeches: Adrien Brody’s Quirks
Later in the 2005 ceremony, Adrien Brody’s acceptance speech for Best Actor became another talking point. As he made his way to the stage, he paused to spit out his gum, tossing it towards Georgia Chapman, who missed catching it. While not as scandalous as other moments, the act was deemed rather unhygienic by some. This was followed by Brody delivering the longest acceptance speech in Academy Awards history, clocking in at a staggering 5 minutes and 40 seconds, even continuing after the orchestra attempted to play him off. Online, he was labelled “pretentious” by some critics.
Racial Stereotypes and Locs: Zendaya’s Oscars Moment
At the 2015 Oscars, Zendaya’s fashion choice, a Vivienne Westwood gown styled with locs, drew criticism from Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic. Rancic remarked, “I feel like she smells like patchouli oil…maybe weed.” Zendaya responded eloquently on Twitter, calling out the “ignorant slurs and pure disrespect.” She emphasised the offensive nature of the stereotype and suggested a need for greater contemplation before making judgments.
A Segregated Past: Hattie McDaniel’s Historic Win
In 1940, Hattie McDaniel made history by winning Best Supporting Actress for Gone with the Wind, becoming the first Black person to win an Oscar. However, her triumph was marred by the racial segregation of the era. The ceremony was held at the Ambassador Hotel, which was segregated, forcing McDaniel to sit separately from her white co-stars. Despite this injustice, her acceptance speech was poignant, stating, “I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope that I shall always be a credit to my race and the motion picture industry.”
A Symbolic Refusal: Marlon Brando and Sacheen Littlefeather
In 1973, Marlon Brando, upon winning Best Actor for The Godfather, famously sent Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the award on his behalf. Littlefeather’s appearance and speech brought attention to the treatment of Native Americans in Hollywood and the ongoing Wounded Knee standoff.
Cat-astrophe or Misunderstanding? Jessie Buckley’s Interview
Just before the 2026 Academy Awards, nominee Jessie Buckley faced backlash over resurfaced comments about her husband getting rid of his cats. In a November 2025 interview, she described cats as “mean” and recounted an incident where one of her husband’s cats allegedly defecated on her pillow. She humorously concluded, “It’s me or the cats. … But I won!” Buckley later clarified her stance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, assuring cat lovers that she is indeed a cat enthusiast and that the interview had been a “misconception.”
Spiteful Fashion and Hollywood Rivalries: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford
In 1936, Bette Davis attended the Oscars wearing a simple, repurposed costume dress as a form of protest against studio head Jack Warner, who had forced her to attend. To add to the tension, her unrequited love, Franchot Tone, attended with his wife, Joan Crawford, Davis’s arch-rival. Crawford reportedly turned her back when Davis’s nomination was announced, leading to a frosty exchange.
Illness and an Iconic Acceptance: Joan Crawford’s Win
Joan Crawford, after convincing the studio to let her star in Mildred Pierce when Bette Davis turned it down, won Best Actress in 1946. She famously accepted the award from her sickbed, battling a 104-degree fever due to the flu and the stress of the nomination. She described the experience in her memoir, A Portrait of Joan, detailing her chills, fever, and eventual recovery.
The Feud Continues: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and Sabotage
The decades-long feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford reached a fever pitch when they co-starred in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? in 1962. The following year, when only Davis received an Oscar nomination, Crawford allegedly campaigned against her and volunteered to accept any awards on behalf of absent nominees, a move widely seen as an attempt to undermine Davis.
An “In Love” Acceptance Speech: Angelina Jolie and James Haven
In 2000, Angelina Jolie won Best Supporting Actress and, in her acceptance speech, declared her deep affection for her older brother, James Haven. Later that night, the siblings shared a brief kiss on the red carpet, a moment that drew attention and was reminiscent of a similar kiss at the Golden Globes a few months prior.
The Mystery of “Robert Rich”: Dalton Trumbo’s Blacklisted Win
In 1957, the Best Motion Picture Story award went to “Robert Rich” for The Brave One. The producers claimed Rich was an elusive former GI, leading to a nationwide search. However, “Robert Rich” was a pseudonym for Dalton Trumbo, a prominent screenwriter blacklisted for alleged Communist sympathies. Trumbo maintained the ruse for two years, even submitting a poem about the mystery.
Controversial Campaigning: Andrea Riseborough’s Nomination
In 2023, Andrea Riseborough’s Best Actress nomination for the indie film To Leslie sparked controversy due to her campaign tactics. Reports suggested that Mary McCormack, wife of the film’s director, Michael Morris, had aggressively lobbied Academy members to see the film and praise Riseborough’s performance.
Bribery in the Early Days: Mary Pickford’s Tactics
In the early days of the Oscars, Mary Pickford allegedly employed questionable tactics to secure her Best Actress win in 1928–29 for Coquette. She reportedly invited the five Board of Judges members to tea at her estate, leading to protests and the subsequent implementation of a wider voting system for all Academy members.
“We Saw Your Boobs”: Seth MacFarlane’s Controversial Opening
The 2013 Oscars ceremony was met with criticism for host Seth MacFarlane’s opening musical number, “We Saw Your Boobs,” which named actors who had appeared nude in films. The segment also referenced Scarlett Johansson’s leaked private photos, and the camera often panned to the women mentioned, capturing their uncomfortable reactions.
A Sisterly Feud: Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine
The rivalry between sisters Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine was legendary. In 1942, they were both nominated for Best Actress, leading to the media dubbing it the “Battle of the Sisters.” When Fontaine won, she described feeling a sense of dread, recalling childhood animosities.
A Cold Congratulation: The Sisters’ Ongoing Rivalry
The sisters’ rivalry continued. In 1947, when Olivia de Havilland won her first Academy Award, Joan Fontaine attempted to congratulate her, but Olivia rebuffed her. The Academy stated that the animosity between them dated back to their childhood.
The Marisa Tomei Conspiracy Theory
Marisa Tomei’s win for Best Supporting Actress in My Cousin Vinny at the 1993 Oscars was a surprise, leading to a persistent conspiracy theory that presenter Jack Palance had mistakenly read her name. Tomei has consistently refuted this, attributing her win to the comedic nature of her role and suggesting classist undertones in the skepticism.
#OscarsSoWhite: The Fight for Diversity
The lack of diversity at the Oscars became a major issue, particularly in 2015 when all 20 acting nominees were white. Media strategist April Reign launched the #OscarsSoWhite movement on Twitter, sparking a crucial conversation about representation in Hollywood.
The Boycott and the Pattern
The issue of diversity persisted in 2016 with another all-white slate of acting nominees. This led to widespread calls for change, with many celebrities, including Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, boycotting the ceremony. April Reign aptly noted that while one instance might be a fluke, two consecutive years indicated a pattern.
The Case of the Missing Oscar: Alice Brady’s Award
In 1938, Alice Brady was unable to accept her Best Supporting Actress award due to a broken ankle. A “mystery man” accepted on her behalf, but both the man and the Oscar vanished. Years later, writer Olivia Rutigliano uncovered that the mystery man was director Henry King, and the Oscar had been returned to Brady, only to disappear again after her death. The Academy eventually recovered and returned the award to Brady’s family in 1995.
A Silent Protest: Brie Larson and Casey Affleck
When Brie Larson presented Casey Affleck with the Best Actor award in 2017, her lack of applause fuelled speculation that she was protesting Affleck’s past sexual harassment allegations. Larson, a vocal advocate for survivors, stated that her actions “spoke for themselves.”
A Wrong Name, A Long Walk: Frank Capra’s Mix-Up
In 1934, host Will Rogers mistakenly called out “Frank!” for Best Director, leading director Frank Capra to approach the stage. Rogers had actually meant Frank Lloyd. Capra described the walk back to his seat as “the longest, saddest, most shattering walk in [his] life.”
The Absentee Champion: Katharine Hepburn’s Four Wins
Katharine Hepburn achieved an unprecedented four Best Actress Oscars between 1933 and 1974. However, she famously never attended the ceremonies to accept any of them, stating, “Prizes are nothing. My prize is my work.” She finally made an appearance in 1974, dressed in gardening clothes.
A Questionable Campaign: Chill Wills’s “Cousin” Tactics
In 1960, Chill Wills’s Oscar campaign for Best Supporting Actor involved a series of unconventional and controversial advertisements. His publicist placed ads listing Academy members who had voted for him and even declared everyone an “Alamo cousin.” Groucho Marx famously responded with his own ad, stating he voted for Sal Mineo. The campaign also featured an ad with Wills’s picture over the rest of The Alamo cast.
The “Greatest Film” Snub: Citizen Kane vs. How Green Was My Valley
Despite being widely regarded as the “greatest film of all time,” Citizen Kane lost Best Picture to How Green Was My Valley in a major upset in 1942. The film famously only won Best Original Screenplay out of its nine nominations.
Manipulative Marketing: Tender Comrade‘s Oscar Push
In 1943, RKO attempted to position Tender Comrade as an Oscar contender through sneak previews at theatres named “Academy” and ads proclaiming “Academy reaction: It’s the finest picture of the year.” The actual Academy, however, did not nominate the film.
The Academy’s Origins and Union Battles
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded in 1927 as a unifying body for Hollywood. However, the rise of unions like the Screen Actors Guild and Screen Writers Guild in the 1930s led to boycotts and resignations from the Academy. Director Frank Capra’s decision to strip the Academy of its mediation and negotiation duties, leaving it solely responsible for the Oscars, ultimately saved the organisation.
The Lost and Found Oscar: Margaret O’Brien’s Childhood Award
In 1944, 7-year-old Margaret O’Brien received the Outstanding Child Actress award. Her family maid took the Oscar to polish it but never returned it. Decades later, the maid’s children found the award, mistook it for a replica, and sold it. The Academy’s policy against selling Oscars prevented its auction, and it was finally returned to O’Brien in 1995, making her one of the few people to receive the same Oscar twice.
