Oscars 2026: Will Smith–Chris Rock slap incident to Neil Patrick Harris underwear joke: 5 awkward moments that left audience shocked at the Academy Awards ceremony

Oscars Awkward Moments: The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC, streamed live on Hulu, and air live in more than 200 territories worldwide. The Academy Awards have produced many unforgettable, sometimes awkward moments over the years, ranging from shocking confrontations to mishaps and controversial stage antics.

Some incidents have sparked global debate, while others have simply left audiences confused or amused, ultimately becoming part of the ceremony’s long history of unpredictable live television.

Here are six moments that left audiences shocked, confused, or amused at the Oscars:

Adrien Brody speaking after cut-off music began playing (2025)


In 2025, Adrien Brody won his second Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in The Brutalist. As he was on stage delivering his award-winning speech and the cut-off music began playing, he said, “Turn the music; I’ve done this before, thank you.”

The Academy mistaking Benny Blanco for Bad Bunny (2025)

This time, it was the Academy itself that made a gaffe after posting a behind-the-scenes picture of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco at the Oscars but mistakenly referred to him as Bad Bunny. The original post was deleted later, and the academy issued a correction.

Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock (2022)

Besides nominations and Academy Award winners, the 2022 Oscars ceremony will always be remembered for a rare and shocking moment that unfolded between actor Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock. The confrontation left the audience at LA’s Dolby Theatre astonished and confused at the same time.

Things turned awkward when Rock was presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature. That’s when he cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. The joke did not go down well with Smith, who walked onto the stage and slapped the comedian across the face.

Following the slap incident, the audience was apparently confused and unsure whether the incident was scripted. The atmosphere changed instantly when Smith returned to his seat and shouted twice, “Keep my wife’s name out your f***’ng mouth.” The Academy later banned Smith from attending the Oscars for 10 years, while the actor issued a public apology to Rock and the Academy. Smith also resigned from the organization.

Neil Patrick Harris strips down to his underwear (2015)

The 2015 Oscars ceremony was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. He appeared backstage in only tight white underwear and pretended to walk through the theater hallways before entering the stage. According to online platform AOL, the producers attempted an elaborate comedy sketch referencing the Best Picture nominee Birdman.


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Things did not go as planned, as the joke landed awkwardly with viewers, who watched the host stand nearly naked under bright stage lights for a few seconds. It was an attempt to parody a famous scene from the film in which Michael Keaton’s character wanders Times Square in his underwear. Many members in the audience were apparently unsure whether to laugh or simply wait for the show to continue.

Jennifer Lawrence falls on stairs (2013)

In 2013, Jennifer Lawrence’s rise to the stage during the Oscars ceremony quickly became one of the most replayed moments in the history of the Academy Awards. The moment unfolded after the actress was announced as Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook.

As she attempted to walk up the stairs in her large Dior gown. Halfway up, she tripped and collapsed on the steps in front of the audience. The crowd let out a collective gasp before rising to their feet in applause as she regained her composure and made her way to the microphone.