Oscars' Biggest Controversies, Scandals, and Unforgettable WTF Moments

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Mar 2

The Academy Awards may be the pinnacle of Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, but they are also a stage for some of the most jaw-dropping controversies in entertainment history. Over nearly a century, the Oscars have been a battleground for scandal, unexpected twists, and unforgettable moments that have left audiences in awe. From the earliest days of Hollywood to the modern era of social media-fueled outrage, the Academy Awards have seen it all—shocking snubs, political protests, and headline-grabbing feuds.

The night is meant to celebrate the best in cinema, yet it often turns into a spectacle of chaos, whether through envelope mix-ups, feuding celebrities, or ethical reckonings that shake the industry to its core. Some controversies have sparked necessary conversations about race, gender, and inclusion, while others have simply provided fuel for the gossip mill. Through it all, the Oscars have remained a cultural touchstone, proving that even in Hollywood’s most glamorous moments, drama is never far behind.

As we prepare for another unpredictable awards season, let’s take a deep dive into some of the most infamous Oscar moments—some that still dominate conversations today, and others that may have faded from memory but remain just as compelling.

Bette Davis and the Academy’s Write-In Controversy (1934)

(From left to right) Reginald Denny, Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, and Tempe Pigott in 'Of Human Bondage'. **JOHN SPRINGER COLLECTION/CORBIS/GETTY**

Bette Davis’ powerhouse performance in Of Human Bondage (1934) was considered one of the greatest of the decade, yet she was snubbed for an Oscar nomination. The industry was so outraged that Academy voters were allowed to submit write-in votes. Though Davis ultimately lost, the scandal led to one of the few instances of a write-in nominee actually winning an Oscar—Hal Mohr for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935). The Academy promptly abolished the practice to avoid future debacles.

Hattie McDaniel’s Win Overshadowed by Racism (1940)

Hattie McDaniel became the first Black performer to win an Oscar for Gone with the Wind (1939). However, she was forced to sit at a segregated table away from her white co-stars during the ceremony. Even in triumph, McDaniel was denied equal treatment, a harsh reminder of Hollywood’s deeply entrenched racism at the time. To add to the mystery, the plaque she was awarded instead of a statuette went missing in the 1970s. It has yet to be recovered.

Chill Wills’ Desperate Oscar Campaign (1961)

Desperation knows no bounds when it comes to Oscar campaigning, but Chill Wills took it to another level while vying for Best Supporting Actor for The Alamo(1960). He ran an infamous ad campaign that compared his desire to win to the prayers of Texans at the actual Battle of the Alamo. John Wayne, the film’s director, was so embarrassed that he publicly distanced himself from Wills, and the stunt backfired—Peter Ustinov won instead.

The Only Best Actress Tie: Hepburn vs. Streisand (1969)

Katharine Hepburn in 'The Lion in Winter'; Barbra Streisand winning her Oscar for 'Funny Girl' in 1969.BETTMANN ARCHIVE; DISNEY GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT VIA GETTY IMAGES

The Academy has had its fair share of tight races, but none more iconic than the 1969 Best Actress tie between Katharine Hepburn (The Lion in Winter) and Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl). Hepburn, known for never attending the Oscars, skipped the ceremony again, leaving Streisand alone on stage in a sheer sequined pantsuit to deliver one of the most memorable acceptance speeches in history.

Marlon Brando’s Rejection of the Oscar (1973)

Sacheen Littlefeather at the 1973 Oscars. **BETTMANN ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES**

Marlon Brando won Best Actor for The Godfather (1972), but he refused to accept the award. Instead, he sent Indigenous activist Sacheen Littlefeather on stage to protest Hollywood’s mistreatment of Native Americans. The audience reaction was mixed, with some applauding and others booing. Years later, the Academy formally apologized to Littlefeather, but a posthumous revelation from her family suggested she may not have been of Native American descent, complicating the legacy of the moment.

The Streaker Incident (1974)

Robert Opel at the 1974 Academy Awards. BETTMANN ARCHIVE

During the 1974 Oscars, a naked man named Robert Opel ran across the stage, flashing a peace sign. Ever the professional, host David Niven quipped, “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?” It remains one of the wildest live TV moments in Oscar history.

Envelopegate: The Moonlight vs. La La Land Mix-Up (2017)

No Oscar mistake has been more dramatic than the infamous Moonlight/La La Land mix-up. Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong envelope, leading them to announce La La Land as Best Picture. As speeches were underway, producers had to intervene, revealing that Moonlightwas the actual winner. The stunned audience watched as the cast and crew of La La Land awkwardly exited the stage. The moment remains a cautionary tale in live television history.

The Slap Heard Around the World (2022)

In an unprecedented moment, Will Smith stormed the Oscar stage and slapped Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. The audience—and the world—was left in shock. Smith went on to win Best Actor that night but was later banned from the ceremony for 10 years. The incident ignited discussions on decorum, respect, and whether or not the Oscars would ever feel the same again.

Karla Sofía Gascón’s Historic Nomination and Swift Fall from Grace (2025)

Karla Sofía Gascón at the 2025 Cesar Awards. **PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN/GETTY IMAGES**

In 2025, Karla Sofía Gascón became the first openly trans actor nominated for an Oscar in a leading role for Emilia Pérez. However, just weeks after her nomination, controversial past tweets surfaced, leading to a public relations disaster. Netflix, the film’s distributor, quickly distanced itself, and Gascón went from a history-maker to a liability almost overnight. Whether she wins or not, the situation highlights the ever-growing scrutiny placed on nominees in the digital age.

For all its prestige, the Academy Awards are far from flawless. These controversies serve as reminders that the Oscars are more than just a celebration of cinema—they are a reflection of Hollywood’s ongoing evolution, for better or worse. Each controversy, from historical snubs to shocking live television blunders, serves as a microcosm of the entertainment industry’s ever-shifting landscape. The awards serve as both a mirror and a catalyst for change, exposing deep-seated biases, systemic flaws, and the ever-present tension between artistic integrity and commercial interests.

As we look back on these moments, it’s clear that the Oscars’ impact extends far beyond the red carpet and acceptance speeches. Every controversy, whether it’s an envelope mishap or a cultural reckoning, becomes a chapter in Hollywood’s ongoing story. These instances spark crucial conversations about representation, ethics, and the evolving expectations placed on artists and institutions alike.

With each passing year, new dramas emerge, ensuring that Oscar night remains unpredictable, unforgettable, and undeniably entertaining. Whether it be an inspiring triumph, a shocking upset, or an outright scandal, the Academy Awards continue to captivate global audiences, proving that in Hollywood, the drama never stops—even when the cameras do.