Just eight of the most inexplicably chaotic Oscar moments of all time

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2 years ago

My life hasn’t known peace since the 2022 Oscars. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, actually. First, I was thrilled in a way I’ve never felt before, seeing a king stick up for his wife. Then, I took a painkiller to stop the Twitter-take-induced-headache that was coming my way. Now, I’m on a mission to find Oscar moments more shocking and chaotic than that infamous slap.

While Will Smith and Chris Rock’s altercation was the only time physical violence had been seen on-camera since the Oscars came to be, there have been plenty more cringeworthy, important and – put simply – problematic moments throughout the Academy’s history.

So, sit back, relax, KEEP MY WIFE’S NAME OUTTA YOUR MOUTH and have a look at the eight most unhinged Oscar moments of all time.

Will Smith smacks Chris Rock – 2022

Will smith smacks the shit out of Chris rock at the Oscar’s 2022 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ABrhHuzRIc

— lil Steaze (@stexze) March 28, 2022

Sunday night’s (27th March) Academy Awards ceremony saw the first onstage fight in its history. In the most shocking Oscars moment of all time, Will Smith stormed onstage to slap Chris Rock in the face, after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith’s hair loss.

Will could then be heard shouting: “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth” at Chris.

Joaquin Phoenix’s animal rights speech – 2020

After being presented with the Best Actor award for Joker, Joaquin Phoenix began talking about his passion for veganism. While the speech didn’t seem too chaotic at first; the actor went off on a serious tangent before quoting his late brother River Phoenix, successfully getting Twitter talking.

He said: “I think we’ve become very disconnected from the natural world… and we believe we’re the centre of the world. We go into the natural world and plunder it of its resources. We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow, and when she gives birth, we steal her baby.

“We take her milk – which is intended for a calf – and we put it in our coffee and our cereal.”

Moonlight/La La Land mixup – 2017

We honestly thought the Oscars had hit peak controversy in 2017, when actress Faye Dunaway wrongly announced La La Land for Best Picture. Producer Jordan Horowitz was already halfway through his speech when colleague Fred Berger announced: “Moonlight, you guys won.”

Audience members believed the entire thing was a joke, and the producers had to repeatedly insist the award was meant for Moonlight. Host Jimmy Kimmel wondered why the Academy just “couldn’t give out a whole bunch of them” as the rightful team came to collect their awards.

John Travolta calls Idina Menzel the wrong name – 2014

Photo via ABC

Grease and Hairspray star John Travolta gave a monologue on how much he loves the “movie musical,” praising the lyrics of Frozen’s Let It Go and calling it “gorgeously empowering.” He then went on to hideously mispronounce Idina Menzel’s name, actually calling her “Adele Dazeem.” John explained to Jimmy Kimmel on his talk show that the cue card holder had spelt the actress’ name phonetically, and he had trouble reading it.

Idina later got her revenge on the actor, introducing him at the 2015 Oscars as “Glom Gazingo.”

Everything Sacha Baron Cohen did – 2012

Fresh from the release of questionable 2012 film The Dictator, Sacha Baron Cohen came to the 2012 Oscars dressed as the title character. He was surrounded by women dressed in short skirts and army berets – and on top of all this, he carried a gold urn said to contain “Kim Jong Il’s ashes.”

I just… I don’t think I need to say why this is wrong on every level, and undoubtedly one of the worst Oscar moments of all time.

Adrien Brody kisses Halle Berry – 2003

Photo via NBC/Bravo

Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his poignant performance in The Pianist. The award was presented to him by Halle Berry – and as soon as the actor arrived onstage, he swept Halle up in his arms and passionately kissed her. She looked shocked at the time, and revealed in a 2017 interview with Andy Cohen how uncomfortable the kiss made her feel.

“I just fucking went with it… I don’t know (if I enjoyed the kiss). I was too focused on ‘what the fuck is going on right now?”

Bowling For Columbine booed by nationalists – 2003

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Filmmaker (and the guy who introduced the world to Louis Theroux!!) Michael Moore picked up Best Documentary for his film, Bowling For Columbine. The pro-gun control, left-wing activist was booed and heckled as he gave his acceptance speech. The sheer number of people shouting abuse at Michael meant he couldn’t finish his speech, and had to hurry offstage earlier than expected.

Angelina Jolie kisses her own brother – 2000

angelina jolie chaotic oscars moments of all time

Photo via YouTube

Girl, Interrupted-era Angelina Jolie was everybody’s favourite wild child; and no-one could predict what she’d get up to next. In one of the most uncomfortable Oscar moments of all time, the actress kissed her brother, James Haven, on the lips. Not just a peck, either. Like a full-on, with tongue, kiss. I don’t know why it happened, either. To quote Cher’s ever-insightful Oscars commentary: “SAW IT, BUT STILL NOT SURE WHY.”