Al Pacino Clarifies Best Picture Announcement at Oscars; Michelle Yeoh Addresses Confusion
Producers' Decision Explained; Yeoh Sets Record Straight on Best Actress Presentation
Al Pacino, a seasoned Hollywood actor, has made it clear that the producers did not accidentally choose not to announce the candidates alongside the best film winner at the 96th Academy Awards.
"There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the best picture award," Pacino said in a statement to US media. I would want to clarify that my objective was not to leave them out; rather, the producers decided not to repeat them because each of them received special attention throughout the event.
Picked to present the best picture winner at the 96th Academy Awards on Monday (IST), Pacino confused the audience by presenting Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer as the winner without revealing the other candidates.
"I understand that receiving a nomination is a significant life milestone, and it is sad and disrespectful to not receive full recognition for it. "I felt compelled to make this statement because I genuinely sympathize with those who have been wronged by this oversight," the Godfather star continued.
Michelle Yeoh, meanwhile, used Instagram to clear up another misunderstanding over the best actress award ceremony this year. This year, the Academy brought back a long-standing custom in which previous winners introduced the acting category nominees on stage. Emma Stone was declared the winner this year by Yeoh, who took home the trophy the year before for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. However, Yeoh gave the trophy to Jennifer Lawrence, a previous winner, so that Stone could present it to Stone.
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"I apologize for confusing you, but I wanted to share that wonderful occasion of giving you [your] Oscar with your closest friend Jennifer. The actress of Tomorrow Never Dies said, "She reminded me of my Bae Jamie Lee Curtis ♥️ always there for each other!!" along with pictures from the event.
Viewers were perplexed by the Oscars moment, and several conjectured on social media that Yeoh was the victim of racism. Yeoh's explanation, though, tried to clear up any misunderstandings and highlight the good intentions that underlay the gesture.
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