From Angelina Jolie’s controversial kiss to her brother to Will Smith’s infamous slap incident, here are some of the unforgettable moments from the Oscars.
Oscars 2025 are scheduled to take place on March 2. (Photo Credits: X)
Hollywood’s grandest night is just around the corner. The 97th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place in the United States on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood. Presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the ceremony promises to celebrate the best in cinema in the past year.
While the Oscars are known for honouring artistic excellence, the events have often been in the news for some of the most jaw-dropping, unexpected and downright outrageous controversies. From shocking on-stage moments to hilarious blunders, here is a list of five standout moments from past Oscars that have stolen the spotlight from the awards.
When Marlon Brando Rejected His Best Actor Award (1973)
Back in 1973, when Marlon Brando won the Best Actor award for his performance in The Godfather, the actor was not present at the ceremony to accept it. Instead of him, Marlon had sent Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the honour on his behalf. That night, she not only rejected the award but also used the platform to highlight the mistreatment of Native Americans by Hollywood. When she passed away in 2022, the Academy issued an apology amid a controversy where her own sister alleged that she had fabricated her Native American identity.
When Angelina Jolie Kissed Her Own Brother (2000)
In 2000, when Angelina Jolie was announced as the winner of Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted, her acceptance speech took an unexpected turn. She had passionately expressed her love for her brother, James Haven, before kissing him on the lips. The controversial moment sparked widespread speculation, with tabloids running wild with rumours. However, the siblings later clarified that it was simply an affectionate gesture.
When Adrien Brody Kissed Halle Berry (2003)
Brody made waves when he won the Best Actor award for his film The Pianist at the 75th Academy Awards. As he stepped on the stage to accept the honour, he grabbed the presenter, Halle Berry and kissed her on the lips. The actress later admitted that she was caught completely off-guard but decided to go with the flow.
When La La Land Was Declared The Winner Over Moonlight (2017)
Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong envelope, and mistakenly, they announced La La Land as the winner of the Best Picture category. The cast and crew of the romantic comedy-drama had already begun their acceptance speech when producer Jordan Horowitz had to step in to clarify that Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight had actually won the honour.
When Will Smith Slapped Chris Rock For A Joke On His Wife (2022)
No such list is complete without mentioning the infamous moment when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. What could have been a career-defining night for The Pursuit of Happyness actor turned into a controversy when Chris joked about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. After which, Will stormed the stage and slapped the host. Following his return to his seat, Will Smith yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out your f—–g mouth!” As a result, the actor has been banned from the Academy Awards for 10 years.
