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Oscars' Controversial Moments: From La La Land to Smith's Slap

3/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

In 2017, the Academy Awards mistakenly announced La La Land as Best Picture instead of Moonlight due to the wrong envelope.
In 2022, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia, prompting Smith's resignation and a 10-year ban.
The Academy recently apologized to Sacheen Littlefeather, who represented Marlon Brando at the 1973 Oscars, for mistreatment.

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Story summary

In 2017, the Academy Awards mistakenly announced La La Land as Best Picture instead of Moonlight due to the wrong envelope.
In 2022, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia, prompting Smith's resignation and a 10-year ban.
The Academy recently apologized to Sacheen Littlefeather, who represented Marlon Brando at the 1973 Oscars, for mistreatment.