Award shows like the Oscars, MTV Video Music Awards and the Emmys are hosted to honor the best of movies, TV and music. Seeing everyone’s favorite celebrities collaborate, celebrating each other’s accomplishments, always brings fandoms together. Without a doubt, controversy is inevitable around award show seasons and in the media. Through the years, people’s mistakes, interruptions and even conspiracy theories have made national news and fans’ social media platforms.
Most of the time, people start problems and stir controversy with award winners because they disagree with the outcomes or the person themselves. This was the situation when actress Marisa Tomei won her Academy Award for her “My Cousin Vinny” performance in 1993. She was considered the underdog in this Oscars race as the other nominees were quite experienced at the time of the ceremony. Her win sparked controversy in the film industry and had people speculating on who actually won. Some thought that it was a mistake made by presenter Jack Palance, saying he was intoxicated while reading the winner, and others were upset because they thought other nominees deserved it more than the young actress did.
At the MTV VMAs, Kayne West interrupted Taylor Swift as she received her award for “Best Female Video.” He stormed the stage, took the microphone and said “Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ll let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.” This was upsetting for fans and for Taylor herself as it wasn’t West’s place to say that during a significant moment in Swift’s early career. Since then, Swift and West have been acquainted with each other after West apologized to her after the incident, but it can still hurt when the moment is taken away from the person in the spotlight.
Sophomore Mady Hall considers this event as one of the bigger controversies in awards shows, saying, “It was none of his business ruining her moment. He could have waited to say whatever he wanted to say.”
One of the biggest controversies in awards history happened in 2017 when Best Picture at the Oscars was mixed up and announcers Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty were given the wrong card. They were given the last card of the night, the Best Actress card, for Emma Stone in “La La Land” instead of the Best Picture for “Moonlight.” The cast and crew for “La La Land” excitedly took the stage until the Oscars crew members came on stage to examine the card and eventually opened the correct envelope. Until the news came out about the card mix up, people were confused and speculated all of the possible conspiracy theories on why this happened. Fans of “La La Land” were satisfied by the end of the night when Emma Stone got her first Best Actress Oscar for her role as Mia.
More recent Oscar buzz includes the AI used for Adrian Brody’s character and others in “The Brutalist.” Oscar-nominated editor Dávid Jancsó revealed that he used an AI software called Respeecher, that uses voice-generating technology to make Felicity Jones and Brody sound more authentic when speaking Hungarian in the movie. This has sparked controversy when it was announced that the film received 10 Oscar nominations and three wins, including Brody for Best Actor. Some critics believe that using this AI is cheating compared to the other actors who worked to perfect their characters for years. The leading nominated movie this year, “Emilia Pérez,” also uses AI to enhance the vocal range of leading actress Karla Sofía Gascón. Many people are angered that this movie won a multitude of awards due to this, poor acting and better nominees in the category.
English Teacher Ms. Cortese said, “I think that as long as the awards are for elements in the movie that weren’t impacted by AI, then the wins are justified. If AI impacts a performance, then it is questionable.”
Drama surrounding famous people is undeniable and can catch the attention of those who never expected to be this invested in celebrity gossip. Stay updated with the rumors and scandals on all social media platforms!
