Entertainment
When Oscar snubs turned into explosive controversies
The Oscars are Hollywood’s biggest night of celebration but over the years the ceremonies have had their fair share of controversies.
Some events have left the audiences in shock, some in anger. From unexpected losses to moments that made history for all the wrong reasons, these jarring incidents proved that the Academy Awards are never just about films.
Here are some of the controversies that will forever remain etched in the history of the Oscar awards:
1. Do the Right Thing gets ignored in 1989 (Snub)
Highly influential American filmmaker and director, Spike Lee’s powerful film was left out of the Best Picture race despite massive praise.
Many critics later called it one of the Academy’s biggest mistakes, saying that the snub showed a larger problem with how stories about race are treated.
2. Adrien Brody’s unexpected kiss in 2003 (Controversy)
When Adrien Brody, best known for his role in The Pianist, won Best Actor, he shocked viewers by kissing Halle Berry on stage without warning.
The moment, however, later sparked massive criticism and conversations about consent, even though it aired live to millions.
3. ‘Brokeback Mountain’ loses in 2006 (Snub)
Brokeback Mountain, the romantic drama and tragedy, was globally expected to win Best Picture, but instead, it lost to Crash, a decision that stunned audiences.
Over time, many critics argued that the loss was guided by discomfort with the film’s central love story.
4. The Oscars So White backlash in 2015 (Controversy)
The 2015 Oscars faced the #OscarsSoWhite backlash because none of the acting nominees were people of colour.
Activist April Reign lashed out, pointing out that Hollywood still has big problems with diversity.
For the second year in a row, all acting nominees were white. The backlash was so quick and loud that it forced the Academy to admit there was a serious diversity problem.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s long wait ends in 2016 (Snub)
Fans across the world had been rooting for the Titanic actor to get his much-deserved accolade. There were plenty of memes made at his expense, too.
It was until his movie The Revenant was, DiCaprio finally accepted his trophy.
5. La La Land Moonlight mix-up sparks controversy in 2017
La La Land was mistakenly announced as Best Picture before Moonlight was revealed as the real winner. Moreover, the mistake played out live on stage, triggering one of the most awkward moments in Oscar history.
6. Roman Polanski’s win sparks walkouts in 2003 (Controversy)
When Polanski won the Best Director award, many attendees decided to leave the ceremony, leaving the win to reopen debates about separating art from personal actions.
Earlier, Rosemary’s Baby director had been charged with six serious offenses, including unlawful sexual activity with a minor, drugging a minor, and engaging in sexual relations with a child.
7. Chadwick Boseman’s shocking loss in 2021 (Snub)
The night was clearly built around the expectation that Boseman would win Best Actor, but when he did not, the dramatic ending left viewers confused and disappointed which sparked massive criticism.
8. Andrea Riseborough’s surprise nomination in 2023 (Controversy)
Andrea’s unexpected and shocking Best Actress nomination sparked many questions about private campaigning and fairness.
The Academy later analysed the process, making it one of the most talked about nominations of the year.
9. ‘Barbie’ backlash over major category misses in 2024 (Snub)
Despite major box office success and cultural impact, Barbie missed key nominations, as fans and critics called it another example of how stories led by women are mostly neglected.
10. Will Smith slaps Chris Rock in 2022 (Controversy)
The Academy Awards stopped in its tracks when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock live on stage in 2022, leaving the audience and the host in complete shock.
Smith later apologised and was banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years. The viral and unexpected moment became one of the most replayed in Oscar history.
Every year, the Oscars continued to promise change, yet these moments proved that controversy remained linked to its history.
For Hollywood, the golden statues never came without drama.
Entertainment
Great decision or a big mistake?
Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are currently struggling through a tough phase as reports about their marriage cause major concerns.
While there are many royal reporters who have claimed that the couple is having a rocky marriage in the wake of the Epstein scandal, other reports have cited close friends that there is no trouble in paradise.
In one of The Mail reports, Edo was reached out where he denied the claims of marital woes. Although that did not do much to settle the discourse surrounding Beatrice’s marriage.
Now, in a new Daily Mail report, it was revealed that the couple are planning to move to the US in a bid to avoid all the drama that has caused them a massive headache. Sources have said that Beatrice is “mortified” and unable to sleep and eat due to the scandal.
Even though there is no wrongdoing associated to their names, her father Andrew and mum Fergie’s involvement with paedophile Jeffery Epstein has cause enough issues.
In a discussion on the Royalist podcast, journalist Paula Froelich believes that it could be a good idea to move to Florida where the couple can stay under radar since many of the people associated with Epstein live there. Hence, they would prefer not to bring it up got their own sake.
Meanwhile, Daily Beast editor Tom Sykes, Beatrice appears to be more “emotionally dependant” on her mother and she is “very British” to adjust in the US.
Entertainment
Kerry Katona refuses to ‘give oxygen’ to Katie Price feud
Kerry Katona has broken her silence over the Dubai row with Katie Price in a bombshell interview on Saturday, confessing she is ‘so over the drama.’
It comes after Kerry and Katie’s 22-year friendship was reportedly strained following the fight between their partners.
The punch-up reportedly occurred when Paolo believed Lee was speaking to Katie in an ‘aggressive manner,’ and he reportedly unfollowed Katie’s new husband.
Now, Kerry has made her clear stance, saying she has no ‘interest in revisiting the alleged fallout. She insisted she is in a ‘good place’ and that Katie can do as she pleases.
Speaking to The Sun, Kerry rolled her eyes as she said: ‘I don’t wanna talk about Kate. I don’t wanna talk about Lee.
‘I’m not interested in this saga. I’m not gonna be pulled in. I’m not gonna give it any oxygen. I’m in a good place. Kate can do what she wants.
‘She’s a grown-a** woman. That’s all I have to say. It’s boring now. I am so over it. Can we have a new drama?’
Last month, it was reported that Kerry had ‘quietly unfollowed’ Lee following their trip to Dubai, which allegedly ended in chaos.
‘Kerry quietly unfollowed Lee a few days ago,’ a source claimed to The Sun.
‘She is still upset about what happened when they were all in Dubai together, and at the end of the day, her loyalties are with Paolo, not Katie and her new man.’
At the time, the source said Kerry is speaking again to Katie but does not want anymore contact with Lee.
It comes after Kerry recently showed off the results of her lymphatic drainage massage, designed to remove waste, excess fluid, and toxins from her body by sharing before and after images.
Kerry’s stomach and torso appeared more defined as lay wrapped in a towel in the photos.
Lymphatic drainage is a specialised massage technique that is performed by a trained professional which stimulates the natural movement of lymph fluid.
Entertainment
Pakistan hosts quadrilateral meeting to discuss Middle East tensions
- Meeting to focus on easing tensions amid Middle East war.
- Pakistan emerges as mediator between Iran, US.
- FMs of Turkiye, Egypt arrive, Saudi FM due in Islamabad.
Pakistan is all set to host a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt from March 29-30 in Islamabad to deliberate upon a variety of issues, including efforts to reduce the ongoing tensions in the region amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Islamabad has emerged as a key facilitator between Iran and the United States as their war drags on, serving as an intermediary for messages between the two sides.
The meeting comes amid efforts to open a window for diplomacy to end the nearly month-long war between the US, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28 and has affected the broader Middle East.
In this regard, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty arrived in Islamabad a day earlier on an official visit.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is scheduled to arrive today.
The Egyptian foreign minister arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was warmly received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Ishaq Dar.
During the meeting, both sides held discussions on the Middle East tension as well as strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Egypt.
Two days earlier, DPM Dar confirmed that indirect talks between the United States and Iran were underway through messages being relayed by Pakistan, with Turkiye and Egypt also helping in the effort.
These efforts included direct contact between Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump on Sunday, confirmed by the White House.
Subsequently, Pakistan delivered a US proposal to Iran, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday. The source did not reveal details of the proposal or confirm if it was the 15-point US framework reported by media outlets.
However, Iran rejected the US proposal, insisting it will end the ongoing “imposed war” on its own terms and timeline, a senior political-security official told Press TV.
Iran outlined five conditions for ending the war: a complete halt to “aggression and assassinations”; mechanisms to prevent the war from being reimposed; guaranteed payment of reparations; resolution across all fronts and resistance groups; and international recognition of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
As part of preparations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier today (Saturday), lasting over one hour.
The call was the PM’s second conversation with Pezeshkian in five days, both of which focused on de-escalation and dialogue.
“I reiterated Pakistan´s strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure, and conveyed Pakistan´s solidarity with the brave people of Iran,” he wrote on X.
PM said he also expressed his condolences on the tragic loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and displaced.
“I apprised him of Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach — engaging the United States and brotherly Gulf and Islamic countries — to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation.”
The PM Office said separately that Pezeshkian “stressed the need to build trust in order to facilitate talks and mediation”.
‘Dialogue and diplomacy’
Separately, DPM Dar held a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and ongoing developments.
The deputy premier emphasised the need for de-escalation, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path for lasting peace.
He also underscored the importance of an end to all attacks and hostilities.
Dar said that Pakistan remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at restoring regional peace and stability.
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