The Academy Awards represent the annual gathering of some of the most influential figures on the social and cultural stages of the modern world.
Actors, directors, musicians, composers, activists, comedians and influencers utilise the evening to, on occasion, make statements, attract media attention - albeit not always the most favourable kind - and express themselves.
From activism to peculiar public displays of affection, here are some of the most controversial moments in Oscar history.
The first major political protest in Oscars history occurred in 1973, as Marlon Brando declined to attend the ceremony despite having a Best Actor nomination for his work in The Godfather, reports the Mirror US.
He ultimately won the award and, rather than accepting it, he sent Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American activist, to speak on his behalf.
She took the stage wearing traditional Apache dress, and told those present: "He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry."
The statement was met with mixed reactions, including both boos and applause. Subsequently, when questioned about the stunt on the Dick Cavett Show, Brando said: "I felt that it was a marvellous opportunity for an Indian to be able to voice their opinion to 85 million people."
Just a year later, a more tumultuous unexpected incident occurred when striker Robert Opel dashed naked across the stage.
Following the spectacle, host David Niven retorted with humour: "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?".
The man was subsequently identified as a performance artist and gay rights activist.
Cuba Gooding Jr. clinched the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Jerry Maguire at the 1997 Oscars.
As his speech extended slightly longer than scheduled, the orchestra began to play in the background, a recognised signal for when winners are expected to wrap up their speeches.
Then, instead of adhering to instructions and concluding, Gooding started shouting the names of his co-stars and crew, including Tom Cruise's, in an evident display of enthusiasm.
He reflected on the moment when speaking to the American Film Institute: "I walked on that stage and emotionally lost my mind. I forgot who I was and where I was for a minute because I think I was closer to that character than any other character [I played] before. I think the emotional response I gave on that stage was the same thing [my character] would have given."
One of the biggest stars of that era, Angelina Jolie secured the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Girl, Interrupted in 2000. During her acceptance speech, she expressed appreciation towards her brother James Haven, declaring she was "so in love" with him - accompanied by a quick kiss on the lips that same night.
Jolie later addressed the incident publicly, explaining it was simply an expression of sibling affection, though that didn't prevent the moment from becoming widely discussed at the time.
Following his Best Actor Oscar triumph for The Pianist, Adrien Brody demonstrated his enthusiasm by kissing presenter Halle Berry on stage - who appeared caught off guard and spent the rest of the speech subtly wiping her face - before quipping: "I bet they didn't tell you that was in the gift bag."
The incident immediately became amongst the most discussed elements of the ceremony, generating global media coverage.
What appeared as a jovial moment initially was reexamined in 2016, when Slate writer Christina Cauterucci cited the incident in an article exploring uninvited kisses as sexual assault.
Berry reflected on the episode years afterwards, saying: "Since we didn't really kiss, I can't tell you how good he was, but I can tell you this. He was wet."
The pair subsequently recreated the moment during the 2025 ceremony, this time with Berry initiating the kiss.
The 2016 Oscars ceremony was a socially and politically charged event, with racial diversity issues being highlighted throughout the show.
The main instance was when host Chris Rock kicked off with a monologue about the absence of non-white nominees in major acting categories - for the second year running.
"I'm here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White People's Choice Awards," Rock quipped.
Prior to the ceremony, activist April Reign had already coined the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, igniting discussions about representation in Hollywood.
Rock delivered an 11-minute monologue to start the awards show, which was crafted over six weeks with 17 writers, and included explicit acknowledgements of the Academy's history of excluding people of colour.
Producer David Hill elaborated: "We heard bits and pieces during rehearsals, but I hadn't heard the entire [speech]. But of course I wasn't worried about [what he would say]. He's a pro."
One of the most tumultuous moments in Oscar history transpired in 2017 when presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announced the incorrect Best Picture winner.
Due to an envelope mishap - in which the presenters were handed the cue card to announce Best Actress Emma Stone for La La Land - La La Land was initially declared the victor.
Producers began delivering acceptance speeches before Jordan Horowitz rectified the announcement, stating that Moonlight had in fact triumphed.
The 2022 ceremony featured one of the most extensively debated incidents in Oscar history when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage.
During a rehearsed intermission speech between awards, Rock made a joke that referenced Will's wife Jada Pinkett Smith - which led to Smith slowly walking up to him and striking him across the face.
He then returned to his seat and could be seen shouting, "Keep my wife's name out of your f**king mouth."
The moment quickly became one of the messiest exchanges between celebrities on live television in pop culture history.
Jacques Audiard's innovative musical drama Emilia Perez was nominated for several categories at the 2025 Oscars, and made history when Karla Sofía Gascón became the first openly transgender actor nominated in a lead acting category.
She was initially praised by audiences, before users began trawling through her social media profiles and discovered posts containing offensive commentary, including disparaging remarks about Islam.
After the scandal erupted, she issued multiple statements over several days, and insisted she was not a racist, apologised to those offended, and criticised what she called "cancel culture."
In the run-up to the Academy Awards, Gascón deactivated her account and did not attend other high-profile events such as the Critics Choice Awards and BAFTA Awards.
