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The Top 5 Oscar Controversies That Made the Audience Go “What?”

The Top 5 Oscar Controversies That Made the Audience Go “What?” - Netflix Junkie

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Riva Khan is an entertainment reporter at NetflixJunkie. Given her love for the language and writing, she has honed her narrative skills from a young age. She loves her latest tea in Hollywood and keeps an eye on the news. This is what drives her as a writer. Having written numerous articles for publications like Times of India and Indian Express, her expertise is in reporting news with objectivity and a bit of fun. In her spare time, you will find her with a few paintbrushes and a canvas, attempting to pour her emotions and thoughts into the strokes of paint. When not painting, she will likely be revisiting some of her favorites like Stranger Things, Money Heist, and Squid Game in series or re-reading Khaled Hosseni's A Thousand Splendid Suns or Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist.

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The Top 5 Oscar Controversies That Made the Audience Go “What?” - netflix-junkie

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Venturing through the 95-year legacy of the Oscars, that glam fiesta of movie magic, we find ourselves stepping not just on red carpets but also into some eyebrow-raising controversies. Picture the uproar when Will Smith&#8217;s slap took center stage in 2022, or recall the quirky Björk&#8217;s egg-ceptional moment at the 2001 Oscars. Ever since the curtain first rose at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1929, the Oscars have become an annual global spectacle, rife with scandals. All of this continues, despite the Academy&#8217;s valiant attempts at rule updates for fairness and transparency.
With the glittering gala on the horizon, let us rewind through the years and revisit the juicy scandals and controversies that have added an extra layer of drama and mystery to the Oscars saga.
<h3>#OscarsSoWhite (2015  -2016)</h3>
Once upon a tweet on social media, April Reign stirred a digital storm with the birth of #OscarsSoWhite. The spark? A sea of ivory in the acting nominations at the Academy Awards, setting the stage for a digital revolution. Yet, this virtual tempest waited a year for its grand awakening. When the 2016 Oscars echoed the same diversity void, #OscarsSoWhite erupted into a viral sensation. This turned the Academy&#8217;s ivory tower into a scrutiny battleground. An alarming 92 percent of nominations were white.
<figure id="attachment_164667" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-164667" style="width: 6000px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-164667 size-full lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266.jpg" alt="Oscar" width="6000" height="4000" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266.jpg 6000w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-300x200.jpg 300w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-768x512.jpg 768w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-370x247.jpg 370w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-800x533.jpg 800w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-20x13.jpg 20w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-185x123.jpg 185w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-740x493.jpg 740w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-400x267.jpg 400w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1248094266-72x48.jpg 72w" sizes="(max-width: 6000px) 100vw, 6000px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-164667" class="wp-caption-text">HOLLYWOOD, CA &#8211; MARCH 12: An Oscar statue is seen on the &#8220;Champagne Carpet&#8221; of the 95th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
In this epic saga, Hollywood heroes like Spike Lee, <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/tag/jada-pinkett-smith/">Jada Pinkett Smith</a>, and Lupita Nyong&#8217;o took center stage, advocating for boycotts and demanding a broader spectrum of tales to be celebrated. Even President Barack Obama donned the cape of change, echoing the importance of inclusive storytelling. It was not just about crafting better art and entertainment; it was about knitting the threads of a united American family. This movement forced the Academy into a soul-searching journey, reevaluating its membership program and voting rituals.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-academy-to-now-deploy-a-crisis-team-at-2023-oscar-awards-following-the-infamous-will-smith-chris-rock-controversy-in-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Academy to Now Deploy A Crisis Team At 2023 Oscar Awards, Following The Infamous Will Smith-Chris Rock Controversy in 2022</a>
<h3>La La Land vs. Moonlight Best Picture mix-up (2017)</h3>
The 2017 Oscars were a glitzy, star-studded affair with all the makings of a blockbuster. The grand finale, the Best Picture reveal, starred none other than Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, ready to drop the cinematic bombshell. However, in a plot twist that no one saw coming, Beatty, looking more puzzled than a detective in a noir thriller, accidentally handed Dunaway the wrong envelope. The ensuing chaos was like a scene from a comedy of errors as Dunaway declared La La Land the winner. This created a spectacle that momentarily eclipsed the real champion, Moonlight.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="&#039;Moonlight&#039; or &#039;La La Land&#039;? Best Picture Mix-up at Oscars" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8KeOxeuiZjs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
As the La La Land crew basked in the almost-victory glow, pandemonium erupted with the shocking revelation that Moonlight was the true victor. The mix-up, involving an accidental swap of Best Actress envelopes, added a touch of irony to the unfolding Hollywood drama. The ensuing microphone tug-of-war between Moonlight&#8217;s deserving winners, La La Land&#8217;s producer Jordan Horowitz, and the night&#8217;s host, Jimmy Kimmel, turned this Oscar moment into an unforgettable moment.
<h3>Kevin Hart&#8217;s hosting controversy (2018)</h3>
In the Oscar hosting rollercoaster starring Kevin Hart and directed by Ellen DeGeneres, the plot took an unexpected twist. Picture this: Kevin Hart, initially ready to commandeer the Oscars stage in 2019, found himself dodging virtual tomatoes over past homophobic jokes. The uproar led to a dramatic exit in late 2018, with Hart bowing out to ensure the limelight stayed firmly on the celebration of artistic brilliance.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Kevin Hart Opens Up About Oscars Controversy" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uXtlGdPenbc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Enter Ellen DeGeneres, the seasoned hostess and a close pal of Hart&#8217;s, attempting a Hollywood-worthy plot twist. In a candid on-screen chat, she urged Hart to reconsider, labeling the online critics as a &#8220;tiny but loud group&#8220;. It was a showdown of wits, portraying both DeGeneres and Hart as leading characters in a saga brimming with accountability, personal growth, and the all-too-familiar influence of social media &#8220;trolls.&#8221;
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<h3>Will Smith slapping Chris Rock incident (2022)</h3>
The 2022 Oscars proved that even the most legendary award ceremonies cannot escape the allure of dramatic plot twists. Chris Rock, the fearless host, inadvertently ignited a firestorm with a quip about Jada Pinkett Smith&#8217;s battle with Alopecia. The air crackled with tension, setting the stage for an unforeseen protagonist – <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/">Will Smith</a>. In a cinematic moment, <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-it-was-my-fault-hbo-special-takes-ownership-of-will-smith-slapgate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he delivered a resounding slap</a> that echoed through the Dolby Theatre, initially mistaken for scripted theatrics but soon revealing the raw authenticity of the situation.
<figure id="attachment_89064" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-89064" style="width: 2560px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-89064 size-full lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1239559669-scaled.jpg" alt="Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at 2022 Academy Awards" width="2560" height="1979" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1239559669-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1239559669-300x232.jpg 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1239559669-1024x792.jpg 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1239559669-768x594.jpg 768w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1239559669-1536x1188.jpg 1536w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1239559669-2048x1584.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-89064" class="wp-caption-text">HOLLYWOOD, CA &#8211; March 27, 2022. Chris Rock and Will Smith onstage during the show at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 27, 2022. (Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Amidst gasps and uncertain laughter, the triumphant win of Summer of Soul in the Best Documentary Feature category got lost in the unfolding drama. Smith&#8217;s subsequent victory as Best Actor added layers to the unfolding narrative. His emotional acceptance speech painted a thematic masterpiece of protection and love, mirroring the soul of his winning film, King Richard. However, the story did not end there – the Academy dropped a bombshell, slapping Smith with a 10-year ban.
<h3>James Franco&#8217;s #MeToo Backlash (2018)</h3>
The Oscars threw us a curveball in 2018. James Franco, the leading man in The Disaster Artist, found himself MIA on the Best Actor nominee list. Well, it seemed there was more drama behind the scenes. There were allegations of Franco&#8217;s misconduct with five women, including his former acting students.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="James Franco Breaks Silence Since Sexual Misconduct Allegations" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kghvt359zyA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
The #MeToo movement seemed to have RSVP&#8217;d at the Oscars. Franco, sporting a Time&#8217;s Up pin at the Golden Globes, tried to play it cool. However, the Academy&#8217;s decision added a twist to the ongoing saga.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/oscars-top-ten-most-memorable-speeches-in-oscars-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top 10 Most Memorable Speeches in Oscars History</a>
Can you list any other controversies? Share in the comments below.

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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA &#8211; MARCH 12: In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Oscar statuettes are seen backstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images)

95th Annual Academy Awards &#8211; Backstage

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From unexpected winners to jaw-dropping moments, these top 5 Oscar controversies are the talk of Tinseltown, leaving a "What just happened?"

Riva Khan is a Hollywood News writer at Netflix Junkie with 500+ articles under her belt. She is an in-house Sydney Sweeney expert, with her coverage largely consisting of the actress’s Madame Web and Anyone But You updates or her private life. Having written numerous articles for premier news publications, her expertise is in reporting news with objectivity and a bit of fun. In her spare time, you will find her with a few paintbrushes and a canvas, attempting to pour her emotions and thoughts into the strokes of paint.

Riva Khan

From unexpected winners to jaw-dropping moments, these top 5 Oscar controversies are the talk of Tinseltown, leaving a &quot;What just happened?&quot;

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The Top 5 Oscar Controversies That Made the Audience Go “What?”

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