Unforgettable Moments from the Oscars Over the Past Decade

It was 2014. While presenting the Oscars, Ellen DeGeneres stunned the world with a star-studded photo that featured Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Lupita Nyong'o, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as a couple back then. We look back at a few more Academy Awards ceremony moments from the last ten years that have influenced popular culture as that iconic photo marks the end of a decade.

Jennifer Lawrence slips on stairs in 2013

When Jennifer Lawrence was younger and heading to the stage after winning her first Oscar for best actress in 2013 for her outstanding performance in Silver Linings Playbook, she stumbled on the steps. JLaw recovered swiftly, grinned charmingly while clutching her prize, and stunned the crowd with a clever comment during her acceptance speech. Even more justification to adore this gifted actress.

2016: The #OscarsSoWhite dispute

When no actors of color received nominations for the 88th Academy Awards for the second year in a row, it caused criticism. The #OscarsSoWhite hashtag gained traction as fans and members of the industry voiced their displeasure with the nominees' lack of diversity. The Academy was awakened by this moment, which sparked conversations about diversity and representation in Hollywood.

2017: The Gatekeeper

Presenters for the Best Picture Oscar, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, announced La La Land as the winner instead of Moonlight after receiving the incorrect envelope. The confusion that broke out on stage during the La La Land team's acceptance speech was unprecedented and left a lasting impression on the audience. The error was discovered midway through the ceremony. The Oscar history will always remember February 26, 2017, as the "Envelopegate" night.

2017: Kimmel's trip of Hollywood

Working with a Hollywood tour bus, Jimmy Kimmel created a memorable and viral moment during his first year hosting the Oscars. This unexpected event entailed ushering a party of tourists from Hollywood right into the 89th Academy Awards. Chicago native Gary Alan Coe was the first to arrive, and he and his fiancée gave hand kisses to a number of A-list celebrities as they entered the front row. Gary's fiancée's favorite, Denzel Washington, presided over a lighthearted marriage ceremony between the couple to complete the unforgettable trip.

Oscars 2019: The host is underwhelmed

Following Kevin Hart's resignation amid criticism over his prior homophobic remarks, the 2019 Oscars event was presented without a host for the first time in thirty years. The Hollywood actor and comedian apologized to the LGBTQ community on Twitter for his "insensitive words."

2019: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's spectacular stage performance

First-time filmmaker Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, the star of his film, had a stunning entrance at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony. They walked hand in hand from the audience to the stage and gave an impassioned performance of their chart-topping song, Shallow. Their attempt to mimic the passionate love seen in the movie set off a social media craze that resulted in over 731 million views.

2020: A surprise performance by Eminem

Eminem made a surprise appearance at the 92nd Academy Awards, 18 years after he won an Oscar for the song "Lose Yourself" in 2003. Instant memes were created from the unexpected appearance and the audience's responses, which included those of Billie Eilish, Idina Menzel, and Martin Scorsese.

2021: The Slapgate of Will Smith

The wildest moment in Oscar history occurred when host and comedian Chris Rock was slapped by actor Will Smith on stage in reaction to a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The audience was shocked by the incident, and the seriousness of the matter was highlighted by Smith's resignation from the Academy and 10-year ban from Oscar-related activities.

2023: Oscar goes to Naatu Naatu

On the 95th Academy Awards stage, India had its moment when RRR's Naatu Naatu was named Best Original Song, becoming the first-ever Indian song to win this coveted category. The prestigious trophy went to writer Chandrabose and composer MM Keeravani.

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