The 97th Academy Awards took an unexpected turn as Adrien Brody, the acclaimed actor, became the center of controversy after his big win.Brody, 51, secured his second Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Brutalist, a period drama directed by Brady Corbet. His portrayal of László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect who emigrates to America after World War II, earned him widespread acclaim.
He triumphed over a strong lineup of nominees, including Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice), and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave).
Despite the significance of his win, the night took an unexpected turn due to an incident that left viewers outraged.
Accompanied by his partner, Georgina Chapman, Brody arrived at the ceremony in a sharp black tuxedo, while Chapman dazzled in an elegant evening gown. The couple, who have been together since 2019, have made frequent appearances during awards season.
The event had its lighthearted moments as well, with Halle Berry reenacting her infamous 2003 Oscars kiss with Brody. The spontaneous act was met with laughter and nostalgia, providing a moment of levity before the evening’s biggest awards were announced.
However, as Brody’s name was called for Best Actor, all eyes were on him. With emotions running high, he embraced Chapman before making his way to the stage.
Just before stepping onto the platform, Brody did something that sent shockwaves through the audience and social media. In an unexpected move, he turned towards Chapman and tossed his chewing gum at her.
Chapman, seemingly unfazed, caught the gum as Brody continued his walk to the stage. The moment, caught on live television, immediately went viral.
Viewers took to social media to express their disgust, with many calling for Brody to be banned from future Oscars. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Adrien Brody THROWING his gum at Georgina Chapman while on the stairs to accept his award is honestly more shocking to me than Will Smith slapping Chris Rock.”
Another added, “If you can’t respect the rules and boundaries of the event, you should be banned.” The backlash was swift, with some branding his behavior as “gross” and “disrespectful.”
Brody continued with his speech, reflecting on his career and the importance of his role in The Brutalist. He thanked Chapman and her two children from her previous marriage to Harvey Weinstein, revealing that they affectionately call him “Popsie.”
However, his speech also drew criticism, with some calling it “entitled” and “one of the worst acceptance speeches of all time.” As the orchestra began playing him off, Brody insisted they stop, stating “this isn’t my first rodeo” before continuing to speak.
He used his remaining time to discuss the fragility of the acting profession, the impact of war and oppression, and the dangers of unchecked hate. While some praised his words, others felt his delivery was self-indulgent.
The backlash has overshadowed Brody’s victory, with debates raging over whether his actions warrant further consequences. The Academy has yet to comment on the incident.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Brody’s behavior will have lasting repercussions on his Hollywood career.
Feature Image Credit: (ABC) (Alamy)
