The iconic 2014 Oscars selfie, featuring a constellation of Hollywood’s brightest stars, remains etched in pop culture history. Twelve years on, a look back at that star-studded frame reveals a landscape dramatically altered for many of its participants, with some facing significant personal and professional upheaval.
The moment, orchestrated by then-host Ellen DeGeneres, saw a galaxy of talent crammed into a single shot, effectively “breaking the internet” at the time. Among those flashing smiles were Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Channing Tatum. As the 2026 Academy Awards approach, it’s a poignant reminder of how much can change, with some of the faces in that accidental time capsule now having faced public “cancellation.”
The Unforgettable Oscars Selfie
The ceremony momentarily paused as DeGeneres, amidst the glitz and glamour, seized the opportunity to capture a monumental selfie. Bradley Cooper, holding a Samsung phone aloft, managed to frame an impressive ensemble. In the picture, we see Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong’o and her brother Peter, Angelina Jolie, Ellen DeGeneres herself, Meryl Streep, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, and even a sliver of Jared Leto’s head.
This snapshot captured not only star power but also significant wins of the night. Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong’o both took home Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively. Brad Pitt was a producer for “12 Years a Slave,” which clinched the coveted Best Picture award.
DeGeneres, sharing the image on Twitter, captioned it: “If only Bradley’s arm was longer. Best photo ever. #oscars.” The tweet exploded, garnering nearly 3 million retweets, close to 2 million likes, and around 170,000 replies, cementing its status as a viral phenomenon.
The Fallout: A Shifting Landscape for Stars
Looking back at the selfie now, the changes in the lives of those involved are striking.
Ellen DeGeneres: From Talk Show Queen to “Cancelled”
At the time of the selfie, Ellen DeGeneres was a ubiquitous presence on television, having successfully hosted “The Ellen Show” for 11 seasons and frequently tapped to host major award ceremonies. However, her public image took a significant hit in 2020.
Allegations of a toxic work environment on her show surfaced from former employees, who described the set as rife with racism, fear, and intimidation. Further accusations of rampant sexual assault and harassment were levelled against executive producers.
DeGeneres addressed the claims with a public statement, acknowledging that “things happened here that never should have happened.” She stated: “I take that very seriously and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power and I realised that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
She continued, “We have made the necessary changes and today we are starting a new chapter.” In 2021, DeGeneres announced the end of her program, asserting that the decision was independent of the allegations. She expressed how the controversy had been “very hurtful” but maintained it wasn’t the sole reason for ending the show.
Kevin Spacey: Navigating Serious Allegations
Just three years after the memorable selfie, Kevin Spacey found himself facing serious accusations of sexual assault, beginning in 2017. Anthony Rapp accused the actor of assaulting him at a party in 1986 when Rapp was 14, alleging an “unwanted sexual advance.”
These allegations led to Spacey being dropped or recast from numerous projects, including the final season of the Netflix drama “House of Cards.” Rapp filed a lawsuit in September 2020, seeking approximately $40 million in damages.
Spacey consistently denied all accusations. He stood trial in New York in 2022 regarding some claims, where he was found not liable.
Subsequently, he faced trial at Southwark Crown Court in London concerning allegations of sexual assault and indecent assault against four men in the UK, all of which he denied. In 2023, following a highly publicised trial, Spacey was found not guilty. Visibly emotional in court, he thanked the jury for their careful examination of the evidence and expressed his gratitude to the courthouse staff and his legal team.
In 2025, actor Guy Pearce recalled his experience working with Spacey on the 1997 thriller “L.A. Confidential,” describing his co-star’s alleged advances during filming. Pearce, speaking on a podcast, described Spacey as a “handsy guy” and an “aggressive man” who “targeted me.” While not claiming to be a victim of sexual assault, Pearce stated he was “made to feel uncomfortable” and was “scared of Kevin.” He later revealed that the news of Rapp’s allegations prompted him to break down, realising how he had “brushed it off” at the time.
Spacey responded to Pearce’s comments via a video on Twitter, suggesting Pearce should have approached him directly rather than speaking to the press. He also questioned Pearce’s motives and the timing of his statements.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: A Tumultuous Divorce
The year 2016 marked another significant shift: the shock split of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, bringing the highly publicised “Brangelina” era to a close with a protracted and acrimonious divorce. The couple, who began their romance after co-starring in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” in 2004, had been together for 12 years and married in 2014, just months before the Oscars selfie. They share six children: Maddox, Pax, Shiloh, Vivienne, Knox, and Zahara.
Their separation two years later led to them being declared legally single in 2019. However, disputes over their Chateau Miraval business and custody of their children continued for years.
In 2022, Jolie alleged in a lawsuit that Pitt had drunkenly attacked her and their children on a private jet. Court documents detailed claims of Pitt grabbing her by the head, injuring her back and elbow, choking one child, and striking another. The FBI investigated the incident, but the case was closed, with Pitt denying the claims at the time. His lawyer stated that Pitt had “owned everything he’s responsible for from day one – unlike the other side – but he’s not going to own anything he didn’t do.”
In the wake of the split, several of their children have opted to change their surnames. In May 2025, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt filed documents to drop her father’s surname shortly after turning 18. Vivienne also appears to have dropped the surname, while Zahara introduced herself as Zahara Markey Jolie upon joining a sorority at Spelman College.
After years of legal battles, their divorce was officially finalised on December 30, 2024. Jolie’s lawyer confirmed her client’s relief, stating that Angelina was “exhausted” and that she and the children had “focused on finding peace and healing for their family” since filing for divorce over eight years prior.
The Mechanics of the Iconic Shot
While Ellen DeGeneres was the instigator and the uploader of the now-famous selfie, it was Bradley Cooper who actually captured the iconic image. Fred Graver, who worked on Twitter’s TV team that night, revealed in a blog post that DeGeneres’s initial plan was a simple selfie with Meryl Streep. However, the moment quickly evolved as other stars spontaneously joined the frame.
Graver described DeGeneres’s “look of panic” as her intended two-person snap transformed into a group photo. He noted Cooper’s quick thinking in grabbing the camera and executing the shot, which subsequently “broke Twitter” due to its unprecedented engagement. “I was in the green room and got to tell a delighted Ellen that she had LITERALLY broken Twitter,” he recalled. And so, history was made.
