Award shows are dangerous territory for celebs.
Sure, they get to dress up and accept prestigious awards. But there is a terrifying element that comes with live TV: anything can happen.
This includes everything from wardrobe malfunctions, public fights, and lots and lots of awkward moments.
Come see 10+ times award ceremonies went viral for very awkward moments.
1. When John Travolta flubbed up Idina Menzel’s name.
You had one job, John!
Introduce the star for her performance of “Let It Go” at the 2014 Oscars. But instead, he called her the “one and only Adele Dazeem.”
2. When Lady Gaga got some side-eye from Leonardo DiCaprio.
This awkward moment took place at the 2016 Golden Globes. The American Horror Story star had brushed by Leo on her way to the stage.
When she did, he made this face at 1:20.
3. When Taylor Swift had a premature reaction to thinking she won “Album of the Year” at the 2014 Grammys.
Have you learned nothing from Joey from Friends , Taylor?!
Keep your reaction level-headed until you know for sure that you won! It’s like the Soapy Awards all over again.
4. When the wrong movie was called for Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars.
#EnvelopeGate became a thing after presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong envelope.
As a result, they named La la Land as the Best Picture instead of Moonlight .
5. When Kayne interrupted Taylor’s speech at the 2009 VMAs.
And so began their long-standing feud!
Since Taylor was new to the music scene at the time, the award meant so much. So to see that moment get ripped away was painfully uncomfortable.
6. When Jennifer Lawerence fell at the 2013 Oscars.
It was such a big moment for the star to win the Academy Award for Silver Linings Playbook.
But it all came crashing down — literally — when she fell while walking up the stairs to the stage… in front of millions.
6. When Ashley Graham got shut down on live TV by Jason Momoa’s wife.
Lisa Bonet always has her man’s back.
When the model asked him to perform the Haka dance during their red carpet interview, Lisa looked super disapproving and said, “no, that’s not necessary.”
7. When Rami Malek got ignored by Nicole Kidman on live TV.
Ahhhh, the cringe.
It’s awkward enough watching someone fail to get someone’s attention in front of a few people. But in front of millions? Absolutely brutal.
Later that night, Malek also fell off the stage.
8. When Nicole Kidman clapped like a seal at the 2017 Oscars.
Why girl why?? Later, Nicole explained that she did it to not damage the nice rings she was wearing.
“It was really awkward!” she admitted to an Australian radio show.
9. When Britney gave us that disastrous “Gimme More” performance.
Since this was supposed to be Britney’s comeback after the disastrous year that was 2007, fans were let down with her out-of-it performance and obvious lipsyncing.
10. When Sam Smith falsely called themself the first openly gay man to win an Oscar.
While they had good intentions, they were soon corrected online for giving the world incorrect information during their speech for Best Song award.
Soon, Smith explained that they had read an article from Sir Ian McKellen a few months before the big moment.
In the article, the actor had incorrectly said that no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar.
“I messed up,” Smith told NME .
11. When Nicki Minaj had an embarassing wardrobe malfunction at the 2014 VMAs.
During her “Bang Bang” performance with Jessie J and Ariana Grande, she had a near nip-slip from her zipper breaking down.
This caused her to hold her dress closed as she sang.
While on *The Ellen DeGeneres Show*, she explained that things were even worse than they looked.
As it turns out, she was completely naked!
“I couldn’t see anything and right before it was time for me to walk out, they went to zip it up and nothing. And right there I thought I died,” she said .
12. When Anne Hathaway and James Franco co-hosted the 2011 Oscars together.
The lack of chemistry between these two was SO awkward. Those in the audience clearly forced laughter during their “jokes.”
Just try to get through the video yourself.
13. When Gwyneth Paltrow gave her very uncomfortable Oscar speech for Best Actress in *Shakespeare in Love*.
This was awkward for several reasons.
First, it’s been speculated that she stole the role from former BFF, Wynona Ryder. Second, how is she crying with no tears??
14. When Anne Hathaway accepted the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2013 Oscars.
Speaking of awkward Oscar speeches, Anne clearly took a page from Gywneth with this uncomfortable speech that sadly caused Hathahaters to become a real thing.
15. When Nicki Minaj called out Miley Cyrus at the 2015 VMAs.
Since there was some bad blood between the two stars at the time, Nicki used her acceptance speech for Best Hip-Hop Video to call her out.
“And now, back to this [expletive],” she said.
“[Expletive] that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press the other day.”
She finished with the “Miley, what’s good” that was heard all around the world.
Last Updated on December 17, 2020 by Sarah Kester
