There’s no contest with regard to the most memorable moment from the 2017 Academy Awards , That title goes to the jaw-dropping “Steve Harvey moment” that ended the night, as presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced La La Land as Best Picture , when the award actually belonged to Moonlight. But while that epic goof-up might be grabbing the majority of today’s headlines, it wasn’t the only controversial moment surrounding one of the night’s top prizes. Casey Affleck took home the Best Actor Oscar for his heart-wrenching performance in Manchester By the Sea, but not everyone was thrilled to see the 41-year-old step out from under his older brother’s shadow. The dark cloud of some heinous sexual harassment accusations loomed large over Affleck’s Oscar campaign, and many felt the actor should be removed from consideration as a result. The alleged incidents took place in 2010, while Affleck was directing the mockumentary film I’m Still Here with his then-brother-in-law, Joaquin Phoenix. The matter was settled out of court, but Affleck’s accusers maintain that he abused his power and persistently subjected them to harassment and other inappropriate behavior. As is customary, Affleck’s award was presented by Brie Larson, who took home the Best Actress prize for Room at last year’s awards. Larson played a sexual assault survivor in the film and she’s been an outspoken advocate for victims’ rights throughout her career. Needless to say, the Academy’s decision to put her in a position where she would be presenting an award to an alleged sexual predator didn’t sit well with many viewers. Larson’s apparent disdain for Affleck, however, was widely praised: Casey Affleck Wins Best Actor Many noted that Larson didn’t applaud when Affleck received his award, and it’s being widely interpreted as the actress’ way of subtly protesting the win. “Y’all made Brie Larson, an advocate for sexual assault survivors, present Casey Affleck, a sexual predator, with an Oscar,” tweeted one viewer. Another wrote simply: “BRIE LARSON NOT CLAPPING IS MY HERO” Affleck’s nomination sparked countless debates about where the arts community should draw the line in terms of behavior so inexcusable that it should end a career. That debate will likely rage on following his win last night. But at least those who were outraged by Affleck’s victory can take solace in knowing that however subtle her understated her show of disapproval may have been, Brie Larson made her feelings known on the night’s biggest stage. View Slideshow: Oscars 2017: A Ceremony in GIFs!
Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi won his second Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film this past Sunday. To accept the award for his film, The Salesmen, Farhadi had an Iranian-American astronaut, Anousheh Ansari, give his speech while he boycotted the awards show. In the speech, Ansari reads, “My absence is out of respect for the people of my […]
Mahershala Ali came into the Academy Awards as the favorite to take the Best Supporting Actor prize for his incredible role in Moonlight, but that didn’t make his win any less amazing. The actor was understandably emotional when he took the stage to accept the award, his very first Oscar. Ali first thanked the teachers throughout his life […]
Viola Davis finally has the Academy Award she deserves. The acclaimed actress won the statue for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars, for her role in Fences. And thank God we had a box of tissues ready when she delivered her acceptance speech. “There’s one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered, one place, […]
Viola Davis finally has the Academy Award she deserves. The acclaimed actress won the statue for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars, for her role in Fences. And thank God we had a box of tissues ready when she delivered her acceptance speech. “There’s one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered, one place, […]
So, WTF just happened?? In the strangest way possible, Moonlight has won the Oscar for Best Picture. But the big moment was marred by chaos when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who presented the award, wrongfully announced La La Land as the winner. Several moments after the cast and creators of La La Land took the stage in celebration, there was an […]
So, WTF just happened?? In the strangest way possible, Moonlight has won the Oscar for Best Picture. But the big moment was marred by chaos when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who presented the award, wrongfully announced La La Land as the winner. Several moments after the cast and creators of La La Land took the stage in celebration, there was an […]
Breaking Sports Video
