The most controversial Oscar moments
There have been many controversial moments at the Academy Awards over the years, but what do they reveal about Hollywood as a whole?
(Credit: Far Out/Academy Awards)
Film » Features » Film Opinion
Mon 3 February 2025 3:30, UK
The Academy Awards have always tried to package themselves as a deeply serious and historical tradition in Hollywood, despite the fact that it is now seen as a farcical institution that exists as an inadvertent satire of the film industry itself, with clownish nominations and deeply unserious on-stage antics that invalidate the weight of the entire thing.
While many creatives have expressed their disinterest in receiving awards and the meaningless nature of this particular form of external validation, some secretly hope that they will one day be blessed by the Oscar gods and have their shining moment on stage with actors like Leonardo DiCaprio waiting their entire career to finally have their name carved into the golden statue and be accepted into the Hollywood elite. Â
However, while this has led to some heartwarming moments, with touching speeches from the likes of Olivia Coleman and Frances McDormand, there have also been many highly questionable ones with actors who have chosen to celebrate their success by doing something terrible.
There have been many troubling occurrences at the Oscars, from the infamous Will Smith slap, jokes about sexual assault and the political speeches that have been censored from history as we know it. Or it could be the strange regularity of some male actors who kiss women on stage without their consent, playing it off as an expression of unbridled joy.
Whether it be the kiss between Adrien Brody and Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz and Chris Isaak or even between Luis Rubiales and Jenni Hermosa, the dark underbelly of Hollywood and fame is often exposed through these awards ceremonies and celebratory moments. The way people have chosen to spend their moment in the limelight highlights the insidious nature of the film industry itself, with people flexing their power in dangerous ways when the highest form of external validation fuels their ego.
Women and people of colour are typically on the receiving end of this behaviour, either being excluded from the ceremony entirely or made to be the butt of the joke, with uncomfortable moments such as the âI saw your boobsâ skit performed by Seth MacFarlane in 2013 as he taunted women who were naked in their films, or Brodyâs controversial choice to kiss Berry without her consent as he won the âBest Actorâ award.
Each person who attends this ceremony each year gathers in a room where everyone glosses over the true insanity of the business they are a part of, pretending that Hollywood is âso much better than it used to beâ despite the ever-present presence of abuse and harassment that very much still looms over the industry. While people can somewhat maintain this facade of false niceness and civility, it always bursts out in some way. It is somewhat inevitable given the level of ego in the room, with people becoming drunk with power and doing increasingly outrageous things to exert this, thinking of themselves as being invincible and doing whatever they please to express this.Â
While Hollywood attempts to cover up their own flaws with a glossy veneer of perfection and elegance, the undercurrent of bullshit that seeps through the film industry becomes painfully clear as everyone that belongs to the club gathers for the infamous evening of frivolity and entertainment. Ultimately, this ceremony only upholds all the values that they most care about, with abusers, racists and misogynists being placed on a pedestal and uplifted in front of the entire world, all while patting themselves on the back for nominating one female filmmaker or person of colour who is apparently supposed to fulfil their diversity quota for the entire year.Â
As much as they try to pretend that Hollywood is a reformed place that now welcomes everyone with open arms and has repented for its old mistakes, there will always be this tension bubbling under the surface that threatens the illusion of progression. Many people in the audience are involved in this secret coverup act to pretend that they are people of outstanding moral fibre despite contributing to the corruption and systematic issues that very much still define the business of making movies. But alas, letâs all ooh and ahh at the glittery dresses and vote for the best-dressed actor. Itâs all smoke and mirrors, but there is always one moment that shatters the illusion and shows Hollywood for what it desperately pretends not to be.Â
Related Topics
Adrien BrodyCameron DiazHalle BerryWill Smith
