EW recalls the awards show moments that took us aback.
On one hand, it lets audiences everywhere feel like they’re part of the celebration.
Take a look back at some of the most chaotic moments to happen at live award ceremonies.
Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift on stage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York; John Cena presents at the 96th annual Academy Awards in L.A. on March 10, 2024; Will Smith slaps Chris Rock on stage during the 94th annual Academy Awards in L.A. on March 27, 2022.Credit:Christopher Polk/Getty; Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty; Myung Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty
Ariana DeBose, you’re a genius.
You are all of us!
Jane 2, can’t wait to see it."
John Cena presents an award on stage at the 96th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty
Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift at the podium (2009 VMAs)
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Yo,Taylor.
Hiswidely panned opening monologuesaw him likeningBarry Keoghan’s penis inSaltburntoBradley Cooper’s prosthetic nose inMaestro(yikes!)
and reducingBarbieto a film about a “plastic doll with big boobies” (double yikes!)
Ariana DeBose performs on stage during the 2023 BAFTA Film Awards in London.Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty
which had the crowd recoiling in their seats, to say the least.
Beyonce reveals her baby bump (2011 VMAs)
Kristian Dowling/Getty
Beyonceis the trendiest of trending topics.
Earth, meetBlue Ivy.
Will Smith hits Chris Rock at the 94th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Myung Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Meanwhile,Mary J. Bligelooked on, her expression unreadable.
Then, he surprisedHalle Berrywith a smooch, and it could only be all downhill from there.
“Just think,” he said, “nobody thought this would last.
Britney Spears, Madonna and Christina Aguilera perform the opening number at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.Kevin Kane/WireImage
“It did not.
And in 1998, the undisputedQueen of Soulagreed tofill in for him.
It quite literallyoverloaded Twitter (now X)with the number of reposts.
Kanye West takes the mic from Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Also, proof thatBradley Cooperis very good at framing.
The grotesque high point:the meat dress, complete with an uncooked meat cap and shoes.
Best Picture mix-up (2017 Oscars)
And the Oscar goes to…absolute chaos!
Jo Koy speaks on stage during the 81st annual Golden Globes in Beverly Hills.Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty
And, wow, didMoonlightpull off a stunning victory but not in a way that anyone imagined.
He then held upMoonlight’s winning card for everyone to see.
(Apparently, Beatty had been given the Best Actress envelope by mistake.)
Jack Palance performs one-armed push-ups at the 64th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Craig Fujii/AP
It was a gracious transfer of power and the wildest, strangest ending to the Oscars, ever.
We expect the unexpected accidental F-bombs, political demonstrations, wardrobe malfunctions.
But whenJohn TravoltaintroducedFrozensongstressIdina Menzelas “Adele Dazeem,” heraised the act of flubbing into an internet-imploding art form.
Beyoncé rubs her midsection after performing at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in L.A.Kristian Dowling/Getty
A visibly delightedJulie Andrewsappeared on stage to bless her with a hug.
A minor calamity: The starletfalls on the steps.
were running to her aid.
Mary J. Blige, Diana Ross, and Lil' Kim presenting at the 1999 MTV Music Video Awards in NYC.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty
(She also won her first Grammy that night.)
Thenperformance artist Michael Portnoyran up next to Dylan, “Soy Bomb” scrawled across his bare chest.
Gesticulating (and gate-crashing TV history) ensued.
Adrien Brody kisses Halle Berry on stage at the 75th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty
The standing ovation lasted a full minute.
Then, he started talking and had to keep pausing for more applause.
Jodie Foster receives the Cecil B. DeMille award on stage during the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills.Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty
Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley kiss on stage at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.AFP via Getty
(From left to right), John Goodman, J. Evan Bonifant, Aretha Franklin, Joe Morton, and Dan Aykroyd perform at the 40th annual Grammy Awards in New York.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty
Roberto Benigni climbs over seats to reach the podium at the 71st annual Academy Awards in L.A.The Academy/Facebook
(Clockwise from upper left) Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie, Peter Nyong’o Jr., Bradley Cooper, Ellen DeGeneres, and Meryl Streep take a selfie during the 86th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Ellen DeGeneres/Twitter via Getty
Lady Gaga backstage at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards in L.A.PA Images via Getty
Jordan Horowitz, Warren Beatty, and Jimmy Kimmel on stage during 89th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Kevin Winter/Getty Images
John Travolta speaks on stage during the 86th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Kevin Winter/Getty
Lady Gaga performs on stage during the 87th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Kevin Winter/Getty
Melissa Etheridge performs on stage at the 47th annual Grammy Awards in L.A.KMazur/Getty
Britney Spears performs at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Jennifer Lawrence on the stairs on the way to the stage after winning Best Actress at the 85th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Kevin Winter/Getty
(From left to right) Michael Anthony, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, and Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen present an award at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty
Jennifer Hudson performs during the 51st annual Grammy Awards in L.A.Kevin Winter/Getty
David Letterman speaks on stage during the 67th annual Academy Awards in L.A.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc
Bob Dylan’s (left) performance is upstaged by a dancing Michael Portnoy (right) at the 40th annual Grammy Awards in New York.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus perform during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Christopher Reeve appears on stage at the 68th annual Academy Awards in L.A.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty
