Daniel Kaluuya, Regina King and Tyler Perry at the 93rd Annual Academy Awards on April 25, 2021.Photo:Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S./Getty (3)
Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S./Getty (3)
As much as theAcademy Awardsis an evening of high fashion, celebrity appearances and prestigious accolades … it also can be a platform bold political statements.Though winners deliver their long list of thank-yous to those who shaped them and presenters typically stick to reciting what’s on the teleprompter, plenty of stars seize this opportunity to speak openly about pressing issues near to their hearts.Whether it’s bringing marginalized voices to the fore or challenging the nation’s political landscape, these A-listers veer off script to advocate for change. FromMarlon Brando’shistoric Oscars boycotttoJoaquin Phoenix’s impassioned plea for animal rights, here are the moments when stars spoke out on the Oscars stage.
As much as theAcademy Awardsis an evening of high fashion, celebrity appearances and prestigious accolades … it also can be a platform bold political statements.
Though winners deliver their long list of thank-yous to those who shaped them and presenters typically stick to reciting what’s on the teleprompter, plenty of stars seize this opportunity to speak openly about pressing issues near to their hearts.
Whether it’s bringing marginalized voices to the fore or challenging the nation’s political landscape, these A-listers veer off script to advocate for change. FromMarlon Brando’shistoric Oscars boycotttoJoaquin Phoenix’s impassioned plea for animal rights, here are the moments when stars spoke out on the Oscars stage.
01of 16
Leonardo DiCaprio Issues a Warning About Climate Change
Leonardo DiCaprio.Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
In 2016, first-time winnerLeonardo DiCaprio— whosnagged a Best Actor Oscarfor his performance inThe Revenant— used his time at the podium to draw attention to environmental activism.
“MakingThe Revenantwas about man’s relationship with the natural world, a world that we collectively felt in 2015 as the hottest year in recorded history,“the actor said. “Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”
02of 16Michael Moore Lashes Out at President BushKathleen Glynn and Michael Moore.Timothy A. Clary/AFP/GettyIn 2003,Michael Moorewon Best Documentary Feature forBowling for Columbine. During hisacceptance speech, the outspoken filmmaker challengedPresident George W. Bush’s involvement in the Iraq War and the very veracity of his presidential election win.“We live in the time where we have fictitious election results that elects a fictitious President,” Moore said, referencing thecontroversial 2000 Bush v. Gore recount. “We live in a time where we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons…. We are against this war, Mr. Bush. Shame on you, Mr. Bush, shame on you,” he added, drawing both boos and cheers from the crowd.
02of 16
Michael Moore Lashes Out at President Bush
Kathleen Glynn and Michael Moore.Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty
In 2003,Michael Moorewon Best Documentary Feature forBowling for Columbine. During hisacceptance speech, the outspoken filmmaker challengedPresident George W. Bush’s involvement in the Iraq War and the very veracity of his presidential election win.
“We live in the time where we have fictitious election results that elects a fictitious President,” Moore said, referencing thecontroversial 2000 Bush v. Gore recount. “We live in a time where we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons…. We are against this war, Mr. Bush. Shame on you, Mr. Bush, shame on you,” he added, drawing both boos and cheers from the crowd.
03of 16Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins Sound Off on the Detention of HIV-Positive HaitiansSusan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.APThen-coupleSusan SarandonandTim Robbinsgot banned from presenting at the Oscars aftergiving an impromptu speechwhile announcing the award for Best Film Editing in 1993. The duo went off-script to urge the U.S. government to close the Cuban internment camp where they were holding 250 Haitian refugees who’d tested positive for HIV.“Their crime? Testing positive for the HIV virus,” Robbins said.The pair’s ban has since been lifted.
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Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins Sound Off on the Detention of HIV-Positive Haitians
Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.AP
Then-coupleSusan SarandonandTim Robbinsgot banned from presenting at the Oscars aftergiving an impromptu speechwhile announcing the award for Best Film Editing in 1993. The duo went off-script to urge the U.S. government to close the Cuban internment camp where they were holding 250 Haitian refugees who’d tested positive for HIV.
“Their crime? Testing positive for the HIV virus,” Robbins said.
The pair’s ban has since been lifted.
04of 16Richard Gere Backs TibetRichard Gere.Starstock/Photoshot/EverettRichard Gerejoined Sarandon and Robbins in temporary Oscars exile after the 1993 Oscars, when, onstage to present for Best Art Direction, the actorappealed to Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.“I wondered if Deng Xiaoping is actually watching this right now, with his children and his grandchildren, and with the knowledge that what a horrendous, horrendous human-rights situation there is in China, not only towards their own people but to Tibet as well,” Gere said. “If something miraculous, really kind of movie-like, could happen here, where we could all kind of send love and truth and a kind of sanity to Deng Xiaoping right now in Beijing, that he will take his troops and take the Chinese away from Tibet and allow people to live as free independent people again.”
04of 16
Richard Gere Backs Tibet
Richard Gere.Starstock/Photoshot/Everett
Richard Gerejoined Sarandon and Robbins in temporary Oscars exile after the 1993 Oscars, when, onstage to present for Best Art Direction, the actorappealed to Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.
“I wondered if Deng Xiaoping is actually watching this right now, with his children and his grandchildren, and with the knowledge that what a horrendous, horrendous human-rights situation there is in China, not only towards their own people but to Tibet as well,” Gere said. “If something miraculous, really kind of movie-like, could happen here, where we could all kind of send love and truth and a kind of sanity to Deng Xiaoping right now in Beijing, that he will take his troops and take the Chinese away from Tibet and allow people to live as free independent people again.”
05of 16
Sacheen Littlefeather; Inset: Marlon Brando.Hulton Archive/Getty; Inset: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
The Godfatheractor wasn’t at the ceremony to accept his Best Actor statue in 1973. To protest the siege at Wounded Knee and the depiction of Native Americans in television and film, Marlon Brando sent the president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee,Sacheen Littlefeather, in his place.
Brando gave the Apache activist a 15-page speech to read, but she saved it for the press room and instead improvised an onstage address after she was warned not to go over her time.
06of 16Sean Penn Slams Proposition 8Sean Penn.Kevin Winter/GettyIn 2009,MilkstarSean Penncriticized the passing of California’s Proposition 8, which made same-sex marriage illegal in the state.“For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone,“Penn saidduring his Best Actor speech.
06of 16
Sean Penn Slams Proposition 8
Sean Penn.Kevin Winter/Getty
In 2009,MilkstarSean Penncriticized the passing of California’s Proposition 8, which made same-sex marriage illegal in the state.
“For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone,“Penn saidduring his Best Actor speech.
07of 16Vanessa Redgrave Stands Behind PalestineVanessa Redgrave.ABC Photo Archives/GettyJewish Defense League protestors stood outside the 1978 awards to denounce Redgrave, who advocated for Palestinians and had just produced and narratedThe Palestinian, a documentary about Palestine.When she took to the stage to accept her award for portraying an anti-Nazi heroine inJulia,Vanessa Redgraveshot backat the “Zionist hoodlums whose behavior is an insult to the stature of Jews all over the world and to their great and heroic record of struggle against fascism and oppression. And I salute that record, and I salute all of you for having stood firm and dealt a final blow against that period when Nixon and McCarthy launched a worldwide witch hunt against those who tried to express in their lives and their work the truth that they believed in,” she continued. “I salute you, and I thank you, and I pledge to you that I will continue to fight against anti-Semitism and fascism.”
07of 16
Vanessa Redgrave Stands Behind Palestine
Vanessa Redgrave.ABC Photo Archives/Getty
Jewish Defense League protestors stood outside the 1978 awards to denounce Redgrave, who advocated for Palestinians and had just produced and narratedThe Palestinian, a documentary about Palestine.
When she took to the stage to accept her award for portraying an anti-Nazi heroine inJulia,Vanessa Redgraveshot backat the “Zionist hoodlums whose behavior is an insult to the stature of Jews all over the world and to their great and heroic record of struggle against fascism and oppression. And I salute that record, and I salute all of you for having stood firm and dealt a final blow against that period when Nixon and McCarthy launched a worldwide witch hunt against those who tried to express in their lives and their work the truth that they believed in,” she continued. “I salute you, and I thank you, and I pledge to you that I will continue to fight against anti-Semitism and fascism.”
08of 16Patricia Arquette Champions Wage EqualityPatricia Arquette.Kevin Winter/GettyThe actresstook home the Best Supporting Actress statueforBoyhoodin 2015, but not before putting Hollywood — and the country — on notice for its problem with gender equality.“To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America,“Arquette saidduring her acceptance speech, prompting audience members — includingJennifer LopezandMeryl Streep— to erupt in applause.
08of 16
Patricia Arquette Champions Wage Equality
Patricia Arquette.Kevin Winter/Getty
The actresstook home the Best Supporting Actress statueforBoyhoodin 2015, but not before putting Hollywood — and the country — on notice for its problem with gender equality.
“To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America,“Arquette saidduring her acceptance speech, prompting audience members — includingJennifer LopezandMeryl Streep— to erupt in applause.
09of 16Bert Schneider Reads a Letter from the North VietnameseBert Schneider, Peter Davis and presenter Lauren Hutton.APHaving won Best Documentary Feature for the Vietnam War movieHearts and Mindsin 1975, the producerbrought his anti-war cause to the stage.“It is ironic that we are here at a time just before Vietnam is about to be liberated,” he said. Schneider then read a telegram from Ambassador Dinh Ba Thi, who was the head of the North Vietnamese delegation at the Paris peace talks. “Please transmit to all our friends in America our recognition of all that they have done on behalf of peace and for the application of the Paris Accords on Vietnam,” he read. “These actions serve the legitimate interest of the American people and the Vietnamese people. Greetings of friendship to all the American people.”
09of 16
Bert Schneider Reads a Letter from the North Vietnamese
Bert Schneider, Peter Davis and presenter Lauren Hutton.AP
Having won Best Documentary Feature for the Vietnam War movieHearts and Mindsin 1975, the producerbrought his anti-war cause to the stage.
“It is ironic that we are here at a time just before Vietnam is about to be liberated,” he said. Schneider then read a telegram from Ambassador Dinh Ba Thi, who was the head of the North Vietnamese delegation at the Paris peace talks. “Please transmit to all our friends in America our recognition of all that they have done on behalf of peace and for the application of the Paris Accords on Vietnam,” he read. “These actions serve the legitimate interest of the American people and the Vietnamese people. Greetings of friendship to all the American people.”
10of 16John Legend and Common Address Racial JusticeCommon and John Legend.Kevin Winter/GettyJohn Legendand Common were honored with the award for Best Original Song forSelma’s “Glory” in 2015. While the film commemoratedDr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1965 march in Alabama, the singers used their time onstage to raise awareness about the current injustices plaguing America and declare their support for activists.“We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago, but we say that Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now,” Legend said. “We know that the Voting Rights Act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised now in this country today. Right now, the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more Black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850. When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you we are with you, we see you, we love you and march on.”
10of 16
John Legend and Common Address Racial Justice
Common and John Legend.Kevin Winter/Getty
John Legendand Common were honored with the award for Best Original Song forSelma’s “Glory” in 2015. While the film commemoratedDr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1965 march in Alabama, the singers used their time onstage to raise awareness about the current injustices plaguing America and declare their support for activists.
“We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago, but we say that Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now,” Legend said. “We know that the Voting Rights Act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised now in this country today. Right now, the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more Black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850. When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you we are with you, we see you, we love you and march on.”
11of 16
Charles Ferguson Takes on Wall Street’s Impunity
Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs.Michael Caulfield/WireImage
The director won an Oscar in 2011 forInside Job, a documentary about the elements that led to the 2008 financial crash, and doubled down on the film’s message when he took to the stage.
12of 16
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.Jason Merritt/Getty
Will Smith appeared onGood Morning Americato discuss why he and his wife would not be attending the ceremony in the wake of the controversy. “At this current time we’re uncomfortable to stand there and say this is OK,“he said. “There’s going to be children who are gonna sit down and watch this show and they’re not gonna be represented.”
13of 16
Frances McDormand Champions Female-Led Stories in Hollywood
Frances McDormand.Kevin Winter/Getty
“Look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed,” McDormand stated. “Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best, and we’ll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: ‘inclusion rider.’ "
14of 16
Joaquin Phoenix Stands Up for Animal Rights
Joaquin Phoenix.Kevin Winter/Getty
Kevin Winter/Getty
Whenawarded the Best Actor trophyin 2020 for his performance inJoker, Joaquin Phoenix — astaunch animal rights activist— redirected the spotlight from himself and used his “voice for the voiceless.”
“I think, whether we’re talking about gender inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights, we’re talking about the fight against injustice,“Phonex said. “I think that we’ve become very disconnected from the natural world, and many of us, what we’re guilty of is an egocentric worldview — the belief that we’re the center of the universe.”
15of 16
Regina King, Daniel Kaluuya and Tyler Perry Address Racial Injustices Amid Black Lives Matter
Daniel Kaluuya; Regina King; Tyler Perry.Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S./Getty (3)
In the year following 2020’sBlack Lives Matter movement— which sparked nationwide discussions on systemic racism in the U.S. — several actors used their platforms on the Oscars stage to address racial inequalities both in America and in Hollywood.
One Night in MiamidirectorRegina Kingopened the show with a subtle mention ofDerek Chauvin’s conviction for the murder ofGeorge Floyd, stating, “If things had gone differently in Minneapolis, I may have traded in my heels for marching boots.”
Tyler Perry, whileaccepting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, used his time to urge listeners to “refuse hate,” saying: “With all of the internet and social media and algorithms and everything that wants us to think a certain way, the 24-hour news cycle, it is my hope that all of us would teach our kids, and I want to remember just refuse hate, don’t hate anybody.”
16of 16Jessica Chastain Advocates for the LGBTQ CommunityJessica Chastain.Neilson Barnard/GettyIn the wake of Florida’s"Don’t Say Gay” bill— which restricts the way classrooms address issues on sexual orientation and gender identity —The Eyes of Tammy FayestarJessica Chastainspent her time onstageaccepting the Best Actress awardadvocating forthe LGBTQ community.“Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. It’s touched many families. It’s touched mine and especially members of the LGBTQ community who oftentimes feel out of place with their peers,“Chastain said. “We’re faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country with the only goal of further dividing us. There’s violence and hate crimes being perpetuated on innocent civilians all over the world.“She continued, “For any of you out there who do, in fact, feel hopeless or alone, I just want you to know that you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you.”
16of 16
Jessica Chastain Advocates for the LGBTQ Community
Jessica Chastain.Neilson Barnard/Getty
In the wake of Florida’s"Don’t Say Gay” bill— which restricts the way classrooms address issues on sexual orientation and gender identity —The Eyes of Tammy FayestarJessica Chastainspent her time onstageaccepting the Best Actress awardadvocating forthe LGBTQ community.
“Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. It’s touched many families. It’s touched mine and especially members of the LGBTQ community who oftentimes feel out of place with their peers,“Chastain said. “We’re faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country with the only goal of further dividing us. There’s violence and hate crimes being perpetuated on innocent civilians all over the world.”
She continued, “For any of you out there who do, in fact, feel hopeless or alone, I just want you to know that you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you.”
source: people.com
