Most controversial Oscar’s moments ever – from THAT Will Smith slap to Angelina Jolie’s kiss with her brother

The world’s most glamorous stars will descend upon the red carpet to attend the 97th Academy Awards – and, if past Oscars ceremonies are anything to go by, viewers may be in for an eventful evening.

Oscars history is punctuated with controversial moments; the most outrageous occurring in 2022 when Best Actor winner Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped host Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada, who has alopecia, being bald. 

Smith and Rock’s on-stage altercation reverberated around the world – but it certainly wasn’t the first time the ceremony made headlines for reasons unrelated to the awards given out. 

The Oscars has at times brought more drama to TV screens than the films nominated for its awards, from a mistaken Best Picture announcement to some controversial kisses – with a few misjudged jokes thrown in for good measure. 

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the most outrageous and shocking incidents that played out on live TV at the Academy Awards… 

2022: WILL SMITH SLAPS CHRIS ROCK ON STAGE

In 2022, the Academy Awards was hit by arguably the biggest scandal in its history after Will Smith stormed up to host Chris Rock and slapped him for making a joke about his wife’s hair – just minutes before the crowning moment of his career when he won Best Actor.

There were calls for the star, now 56, to be stripped of the award hours after becoming the fifth black actor in history to collect the biggest prize in Hollywood.

Smith won for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father who raised tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in ‘King Richard’.

In a rambling acceptance speech, a sobbing Smith admitted that ‘love makes you do crazy things’ – but failed to apologise to Rock for his assault, only apologising to the Academy and his fellow nominees. 

Around 40 minutes earlier, the comedian, who was hosting the ceremony, had made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, nicknaming her ‘G.I. Jane’. Pinkett Smith had been diagnosed with alopecia in 2018.

The 50-year-old actress rolled her eyes and her husband, considered a shoo-in for the Best Actor gong, appeared to be laughing along with the gag, before things suddenly turned sour. 

Rock said ‘uh oh’ as Smith stormed towards the stage, before slapping him across the face with such vigour, it was picked up on the microphone. 

A clearly shaken Rock said: ‘Wow, Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me’ as the audience, who thought the slap was a stunt, nervously laughed along.

But Smith’s meltdown continued when he returned to his seat as he repeatedly screamed: ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth’. 

The crowd then fell into stunned silence as it became clear the slap was genuine. 

Chris Rock replied to him saying: ‘I’m going to, okay?’ before laughing uncomfortably saying: ‘That was the greatest night in the history of television’. 

While Smith’s sweary rant was muted by directors because the show’s live broadcast is slightly delayed in the US, it was aired in full to some international audiences. 

2000: ANGELINA JOLIE KISSES HER BROTHER 

Angelina Jolie won her first Oscar in 2000 at the age of 24 for her role in Girl, Interrupted – but it was her passionate kiss with her older brother, actor and director James Haven, at the afterparty that made headlines the following day. 

The siblings first left onlookers gobsmacked when they shared a kiss after Jolie was announced winner of the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Girl, Interrupted.

In her acceptance speech, Jolie famously said: ‘I’m in shock, and I’m so in love with my brother right now.

‘He just held me and said he loved me, and I know he’s so happy for me. And, um, thank you for that.’

As if that wasn’t bewildering enough, the brother and sister sent the rumour mill into overdrive later that evening when they smooched at the Vanity Fair after party.

A photograph of the pair locked in a loving embrace and kissing on the lips was beamed around the world, provoking widespread comments and jokes about incest –  which Jolie dismissed as ‘pathetic’. 

The actress later told People: ‘First, we’re the best of friends. And it wasn’t some odd open-mouthed kiss. It was disappointing that something so beautiful and pure could be turned into a circus.’

Haven added: ‘It was an amazing moment. Yet it was totally misconstrued.’ 

Reflecting on the controversial moment, he told the Daily Mail in 2007: ‘I did not give Angie a French kiss. It was something simple and lovely. 

‘She was about to go off to Mexico to finish filming Original Sin with Antonio Banderas. I congratulated her on the Oscar win and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. It was snapped and became a big thing.’  

1974: STREAKER STORMS STAGE 

In 1974, American photographer and gay rights activist Robert Opel shocked the world when he stormed the Oscars stage completely naked. 

The artist reportedly snuck backstage by pretending to be a journalist before stripping down and running naked past a stunned David Niven, who was introducing Elizabeth Taylor. 

Niven broke into laughter as Opel flashed the audience and threw up a peace sign, before quipping: ‘Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen.

‘But isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?’

Speaking to press after the incident, Opel told reporters: ‘People shouldn’t be ashamed of being nude in public. Besides — it’s a hell of a way to launch a career.’ 

2024: JOHN CENA PAYS HOMAGE TO STREAKER

Far from being swept under the carpet, the historic moment when naked activist Robert Opel stormed the stage at the 1974 Oscars was commemorated 50 years on with an (almost) starkers performance from John Cena. 

The American actor and professional wrestler was tasked with announcing the winner for the Costume Design category at the 2024 ceremony.

While the award went to Holly Waddington for Poor Things, Cena’s appearance in nothing more than a pair of Birkenstocks and a wristwatch was far more memorable. 

At the time, it seemed that Cena had only the flimsy envelop containing the name of the category winner to protect his modesty.

Fortunately, however, it soon became clear he was wearing a nude-coloured brief. 

2024: EMMA STONE’S WARDROBE MALFUNCTION

Emma Stone was the belle of the ball in 2024 when she won her second Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Poor Things.

She had previously won the accolade for esteemed musical La La Land seven years earlier in 2017.

Yet the 36-year-old star’s remarkable achievement last year was somewhat overshadowed when Stone noticed that her custom Louis Vuitton gown had torn down the back.

Rather than trying to divert attention away from her wardrobe malfunction, The Favourite actress, who was understandably overwhelmed having scooped her second Best Actress gong, decided to own the problem. 

‘Oh boy, my dress is broken. I think it happened during “I’m Just Ken.” I’m pretty sure,’ Stone began her acceptance speech.

She was referring to her former co-star Ryan Gosling’s lively performance of the Barbie hit, which had the whole audience dancing. 

While Stone remembered to praise the other nominees and thank everyone who mattered, she couldn’t help but return to the unfortunate mishap at the end of the speech.

‘So thank you so much. Don’t look at the back of my dress. Thank you,’ she concluded.

2017: MOONLIGHT MIX-UP 

A-listers and fans alike were left cringing in 2017 when the Oscars’ highest honour of Best Picture was accidentally awarded to the wrong film. 

The gong was mistakenly given to musical romantic comedy La La Land, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, before it was revealed that the winner was in fact Moonlight – a film about a young African-American boy who’s grappling with his identity and sexuality. 

Award announcers – veteran Hollywood actors Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway – had accidentally been given the wrong envelope by the PricewaterhouseCoopers accountants responsible for tabulating the Academy’s voting. 

In a heart-stopping moment, the stars and producers of La La Land were interrupted midway through their acceptance speeches and forced to hand over their trophies to cast of Moonlight. 

As the La La Land cast were walking on stage to accept the accolade, a stagehand standing in the wings could reportedly be heard saying ‘Oh… Oh my god, he got the wrong envelope’.

Beatty blamed the mishap on being given the wrong envelope, explaining that he had seen the name Emma Stone from La La Land when he opened it. 

2003: ADRIAN BRODY KISSES HALLE BERRY 

Another controversial moment in Oscars history came after actor Adrien Brody pulled host Halle Berry into a passionate embrace and planted a kiss on her lips after she presented him with the award for Best Actor in 2003. 

After being handed the statuette for his role in The Pianist, the actor turned to Berry and said: ‘I bet they didn’t tell you that [kiss] was in the gift bag.’ 

Berry, who looked a little stunned by the encounter, was seen wiping her lips on stage, and later described the smooch as ‘wet’. 

Recalling the moment during a television appearance in 2017, the actress revealed the kiss was not planned, and that her first thought when Brody grabbed her was ‘What the f**k is happening right now!’ 

When asked by TV host Andy Cohen whether the kiss was good, Berry replied ‘I don’t know. I was too focused on ‘What the f**k is going on right now’?’ 

2012: SACHA BARON COHEN ‘SPILLS KIM JONG-ILS ASHES’

Hollywood actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen was escorted off the Oscars red carpet after a controversial publicity stunt to promote his film The Dictator in 2012.  

The British star arrived at the swanky ceremony dressed in character as dictator General Aladeen claiming to be carrying an urn containing the ashes of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.  

While he was initially allowed to walk into the ceremony in character, things took a darker turn when he tipped the ‘ashes’ over TV host Ryan Seacrest.  

The interaction began with Seacrest asking Cohen: ‘Who are you wearing?’ 

Cohen replied gamely: ‘I’m wearing John Galliano, but the socks are from K-Mart! As Saddam Hussein once said to me, socks are socks, don’t waste money.’

But then he added: ‘I love it here because it gave me an opportunity to bring my dear friend and tennis partner, Kim Jong-il.  

Then he appeared to stumble and poured the contents of the urn – which turned out to be pancake mix – all over Seacrest’s Burberry suit.

As he was escorted away, the controversial actor shouted: ‘Now when people ask what you’re wearing, you will say Kim Jong-il!’    

1973: MARLON BRANDO REJECTS OSCAR 

In 1973 Marlon Brando caused outrage when he sent Californian Apache Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the Best Actor award he had been awarded for his role in cult film The Godfather.  

Instead of walking on stage to collect the award, the actor sent Native American civil rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather – who appeared in full Apache attire – in his place.

On stage she read out a letter from Brando informing the Academy that he would not accept the award in protest against Hollywood’s depiction of Native Americans. 

Her brief speech – which was limited to just 60 seconds – was met with a mix of boos and applause by the audience. 

Later, once backstage, she read out the entire 15-page speech Brando had prepared. 

Brando became the second actor to decline his award after George C Scott in 1970.

Scott, who had been named Best Actor for his role in Patton, told the Academy well before the 1970 ceremony that he would not accept the award on ‘philosophical grounds’. 

2023: HUGH GRANT’S AWKWARD INTERVIEW

Hugh Grant may not yet have won an Oscar but he was certainly a frontrunner for the ‘Most Awkward Interview’ award back in 2023.

Grant, 64, who this year reprised his role as Daniel Cleaver in ‘Bridget Jones 4: Mad About the Boy’, was being interviewed by American model Ashley Graham ahead of the ceremony – but, refusing to play along, his responses were painfully clipped. 

When asked who he hoped would win an award, a stony-faced Grant said: ‘No one in particular’. 

Despite appearing a little flustered, chirpy Graham moved on to Grant’s outfit for the evening, asking: ‘What are you wearing tonight?’

But the film star was not forthcoming and simply stated: ‘Just my suit.’

While Graham tried to dig deeper and find out which designer was behind Grant’s suit, the Four Weddings and a Funeral actor shut down the subject when he said: ‘My tailor’. 

Yet the worst was still to come. When Graham asked Grant if he had had fun filming Glass Onion, which had come out the previous year, he curtly replied: ‘Well, I’m barely in it. I’m in it for about three seconds.’

Admirably, Graham persisted, reframing the question as: ‘Yeah, but still you showed up and you had fun right?’

Grant’s one-word reply of ‘almost’ was the final straw, leading Graham to quickly wrap up the car crash interview. 

As she thanked the star and turned to face the camera, grumpy Grant continued his nonplussed act by rolling his eyes for all to see. 

2014: JOHN TRAVOLTA MISPRONOUNCES IDINA MENZEL’S NAME 

In 2014, John Travolta left fans cringing after a spectacular fail while introducing musical theatre star Idina Menzel.  

Travolta was introducing her performance at the Oscars and said: ‘Please welcome the wickedly talented, one and only Adele Dazeem.’  

The Wicked star admitted that she was initially devastated by the mix up, convinced the moment had messed up her ‘big break.’ 

Speaking to James Corden on Carpool Karaoke for his Late Late Show she said: ‘First I felt really sorry for myself, like Meryl Streep’s out there, this is my big break and he just f****d up my name.’ 

However, later she was able to see the funny side of the mix-up and revealed that Travolta had apologised profusely for mispronouncing her name. 

She said: ‘It was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. [John has] written so many nice apologetic emails, sent flowers, he’s so kind, and to make up for it he would fly wherever at this point. 

‘And I always just say, “No worries, because it was the best thing that ever happened to me!”.’ 

Travolta said he got Idina’s name wrong because the Oscars staff had changed it to a phonetic spelling – and that he was ‘starstruck’ by Goldie Hawn. 

1995: DAVID LETTERMAN’S OPRAH OR UMA JOKE  

Veteran talk show host David Letterman presented the Oscars in 1995 – but his performance flopped and was later described by The Atlantic as ‘the gold standard of Oscar bombing’.

Joking about the unusual first names of Uma Thurman and Oprah Winfrey ahead of introducing the two stars, the gag did not achieve the intended laugh and instead baffled the audience into silence.

He kicked off the show by saying: ‘I’ve been dying to do something all day and I think maybe we can take care of it’. 

He then proceeded to ‘introduce’ the Hollywood A-listers saying: ‘Oprah? Uma. Uma? Oprah. I feel much better. Have you kids met Keanu?’ 

Soon after the awkward moment, The New York Times criticised the 1995 host, writing: ‘Mr Letterman has a questionable mid-America habit of ridiculing names, including those of everyone from immigrant cabdrivers to store owners called Mujibur and Sirajul. 

‘Opening the awards ceremony, he zeroed in on Oprah (Winfrey) and Uma (Thurman), but quickly discovered that the audience found the routine somewhat less than amusing, even when he frantically added Keanu (Reeves).’ 

2019: GAGA AND BRADLEY COOPER’S MOMENT OF PASSION 

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s electrifying chemistry during their performance of Shallow at the 2019 Academy Awards sent viewers into a frenzy.

The pair – who starred opposite each other in A Star Is Born – were urged by social media users to ‘get a room’ after a duet which saw them gaze into each other’s eyes in an intense performance.

While Lady Gaga was newly single at the time, Bradley’s then-girlfriend Irina Shayk  – who he split up with in the same year – watched on in the audience.  

The American Sniper star’s ex-wife, Jennifer, weighed in on Bradley and Gaga’s performance after comedian David Spade joked about it on Instagram. 

He wrote: ‘Is there any chance these 2 aren’t f***ing?’ alongside a picture taken from his TV set of the two performing. Jennifer replied: ‘Ha!’.

2012: JENNIFER LAWRENCE FALLS OVER

At 22-years-old, Jennifer Lawrence became one of the youngest ever winners of the Best Actress gong at the 2012 Oscars. 

But her historic win for her role in Silver Linings Playbook was quickly overshadowed when she tripped over her voluminous strapless Dior Haute Couture gown as she made her way to the stage to collect the award.

The star was momentarily seen with her head in her hands after the mishap. 

While both Lawrence’s Silver Linings Playbook co-star Bradley Cooper and her X-Men: First Class co-star Hugh Jackman rushed to assist her, she declined any help.

Picking herself up, the American beauty regained her cool and managed to collect her award as planned. 

2023: MALALA IS ASKED ABOUT ‘SPITGATE’

Malala Yousafzai, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at the age of 17, was the executive producer of the 2023 Oscar-nominated documentary short film Stranger at the Gate.

Then-25, Yousafzai, who became the youngest Nobel laureate for her fight for the right to education for every child, wore a gorgeous sequinned gown by Ralph Lauren and was seated with her husband Asser Malik.

Yet the Pakistani activist was caught off guard when the 2023 host, American actor and presenter Jimmy Kimmel, approached her and asked a question on behalf of a ‘fan’.  

Kimmel said: ‘Your work on human rights and education for women and children is an inspiration. As the youngest Nobel Prize-winner in history, do you think Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine?’

The Oscar’s host was referring to a viral video from the 2022 Venice Film Festival that appeared to show Styles spitting on his Don’t Worry Darling co-star Pine.

While the episode earned the nickname ‘Spitgate’, it was later dismissed as baseless by both stars. 

While her husband was laughing, Yousafzai herself was visibly baffled by Kimmel’s joke – but she still managed a witty reply.

‘I only talk about peace,’ she told Kimmel.  

1969: BEST ACTRESS TIE

In 1969, when both Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn were nominated for Best Actress, the two Hollywood icons received exactly 3,030 votes each, resulting in a tie.

The Academy decided that the two actresses should share the award, with Hepburn winning for Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter and Streisand for her debut in Funny Girl.

Yet, since Hepburn didn’t attend the ceremony, Streisand was left to accept the award alone.  

1970: GEORGE C. SCOTT REJECTS HIS AWARD

Legendary actor George C. Scott had forewarned the Academy that he would reject a nomination for his role in 1970 film Patton.

The star’s reasoning was that he didn’t accept that creative performances should be compared.  

Scott had previously received two other nominations – for Best Supporting Actor in 1959′s Anatomy of a Murder and in 1961’s The Hustler. Both times he asked the Academy to retract the awards. 

In 1970, however, Scott was awarded the gong regardless and, since he had decided to skip the ceremony, producer Frank McCarthy accepted the award on his behalf.  

1936: DUDLEY NICHOLS REJECTS HIS OSCAR 

The first person to reject his Oscar, however, was Dudley Nichols, who won the Best Screenwriter award for his 1935 film The Informer.

At the eighth Academy Awards in 1936, Nichols refused the award in solidarity with the Screen Writers Guild, which was striking at the time.

Nichols had been involved in the founding of the Guild and objected to the Academy’s failure to support the organisation and other unions. 

While the Academy posted the Oscar statuette to Nichols on two occasions, the screenwriter returned it both times. 

In 1938, when he was confident he had achieved most of his goals for the Guild, Nichols finally accepted the award. 

2016: #OSCARSSOWHITE

Chris Rock’s tasteless joke about Jada Pinkett Smith at the 2022 Oscars wasn’t the first Academy Awards controversy that the comedian has been involved in. 

Rather, as the host for the awards ceremony in 2016 – a year when not a single Black actor was nominated in any of the 24 categories – he delivered a 10-minute speech venting the frustrations he shared with others. 

He joked: ‘You do realise, if they nominated host, I wouldn’t even get this job’. 

The previous year, the lack of a single nomination for a Black actor had led to the #OscarsSoWhite social media movement. 

And, when history repeated itself in 2016, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett and Spike Lee were among the industry heavyweights who boycotted the awards – angering other actors. 

2019: THE HOST-LESS OSCARS

There was no host at the Oscars for the first time in 30 years in 2019 after Kevin Hart was forced to quit after the reemergence of a series of homophobic tweets. 

Presenting duties at the 91st Academy Awards show were shared among 13 stars including Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Brie Larson, Daniel Craig and Jennifer Lopez.

This came after tweets dated from 2009 to 2011 surfaced in which the comedian spewed blatant anti-gay rhetoric.

In 2011, he wrote in a since-deleted tweet: ‘Yo if my son comes home & try’s 2 play with my daughters doll house I’m going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice “stop that’s gay.”‘