The most memorable and embarrassing award show moments

1. ‘Imma let you finish’

Award show: MTV Video Music Awards (MTV VMAs)
Year: 2009
Ah yes, how can we forget this iconic moment? Rapper and Kim Kardashian beau Kanye West has done a lot of embarrassing things, but this one remains one of his all-time cringe moments. It all began when Taylor Swift was in the middle of accepting an award for her music video “You Belong With Me.”

West jumped on stage and interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech to tell the audience that Beyoncé should have won the award. “Imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!” West said. Beyoncé’s reaction echoed a lot of viewers’ at the time …

NEXT: Who’s Adele Dazeem?

2. John Travolta calls Idina Menzel ‘Adele Dazeem’

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2014
Oh, John Travolta … You’re a great dancer but not the greatest award show presenter. During the 2014 Academy Awards, Travolta introduced actress and singer Idina Menzel for her performance of “Let it Go” from Frozen but didn’t quite say her name right.

Instead of “Idina Menzel,” the Saturday Night Fever star called her “Adele Dazeem” (*Facepalm*). A true professional, Menzel graciously stepped on stage without acknowledging Travolta’s flub. Fortunately, this mistake just raised awareness of Menzel.

NEXT: Some audiences thought this was on purpose.

3. Jennifer Lawrence falls down

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2013
This might truly be one of the most embarrassing award show moments (or it could all be an act). The Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence was walking up to the stage to accept her Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook when she tripped and fell on the steps.

“I kept thinking, ‘Cakewalk, cakewalk, cakewalk.’ I thought, ‘Why is cakewalk stuck in my head?’” she told W Magazine. “I realized my stylist had told me, ‘Kick, walk, kick, walk.’ You are supposed to kick the dress out while you walk, and I totally forgot.”

NEXT: We were all thinking it, he just said it …

4. Ricky Gervais pokes fun at Hollywood

Award show: Golden Globes
Year: 2020
British comedian and former The Office star Ricky Gervais hosted the 2020 Golden Globes with scathing commentary about Hollywood. While some viewers watched gleefully, some stars visibly cringed. “If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech,” Gervais said.

“You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything,” he continued. Other topics covered — ISIS, a lack of diversity in Hollywood, and Jeffrey Epstein (‘I know he’s your friend but I don’t care … You had to make your own way here in your own plane, didn’t you?’).

NEXT: Be careful when wearing cloaks, folks — even if it’s Armani!

5. Madonna gets yanked downstairs

Award show: British Record Industry Trusts Show (The BRIT Awards)
Year: 2015
Madonna handled one of the most embarrassing award show moments with grace — despite falling downstairs. The culprit in this fiasco was a wardrobe malfunction, more specifically, a cape. A backup dancer ripped off Madge’s cloak before it was untied.

Madonna was pulled backward down a few stairs and onto the floor as a consequence. She stopped singing “Living for Love” for a moment but then powered through the rest of the number. A true professional!

NEXT: This wouldn’t have happened with a live band — just saying!

6. Beyoncé’s backing track goes berserk

Award show: MTV European Music Awards (MTV EMAs)
Year: 2003
What do you do when the track you’re supposed to sing over goes haywire? Queen Bey kept her performance of “Baby Boy” moving despite backing track malfunctions, but eventually gave up.

“Baby boy, you are so damn fine,” kept repeating over and over as Beyoncé waved to the audience and headed backstage. This incident proves that you can’t win them all — even if you’re a queen.

NEXT: Red was a good album — but apparently not Grammy material.

7. Taylor Swift looked like she thought she won another Grammy

Award show: Grammy Awards
Year: 2014
In Swift’s defense, it DID sound like presenter Alicia Keys was going to say “Red” at first. Of course, the internet had a swift (get it?) reaction to the pop star’s facial expression when she thought Red won the award for Album of the Year.

The Grammy instead went to French robot DJs Daft Punk (they’re just DRESSED UP as robots, Linda) for their album Random Access Memories. Swift had previously taken home a Grammy for her album Fearless, so one for Red would have been a double whammy! Alas, it wasn’t her day …

NEXT: Note to self — don’t get on Nicki Minaj’s bad side … 

8. Nicki Minaj confronts Miley Cyrus

Award show: MTV VMAs
Year: 2015
This was possibly one of the most embarrassing award show moments, at least for Miley Cyrus — Nicki Minaj was probably quite pleased with herself. It all started when Cyrus told The New York Times that Minaj is “not too kind.”

“And now back to this b**ch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press — Miley, what’s good?” Minaj clapped back at Cyrus after accepting her award for Best Hip-Hop Video.

NEXT: Just FYI, the award for “Artist of the Millennium” doesn’t exist.

9. Michael Jackson thought he won an award that doesn’t exist

Award show: MTV VMAs
Year: 2002
When singer Britney Spears introduced fellow singer Michael Jackson to wish him “happy birthday” at the 2002 MTV VMAs, she said she considered him the “artist of the millennium.” He was handed a treble clef-shaped award with a bright-red bow as a gift.

Jackson began making an acceptance speech: “When I was a little boy in Indiana if someone had told me I’d be getting the ‘Artist of the Millennium award,’ I wouldn’t have believed it.” Well, it’s pretty unbelievable because that award doesn’t exist.

NEXT: The internet called out this bit as sexist when it aired.

10. Sofía Vergara gets put on a pedestal

Award show: Emmy Awards
Year: 2014
The Modern Family star struck a pose on a rotating pedestal while the Television Academy’s chairman, Bruce Rosenblum, gave a speech about the TV industry. It ended with him saying: “What truly matters is that we never forget that our success is based on always giving the viewer something compelling to watch.”

Sarah Begley wrote in Time: “Though the gimmick might have turned into a commentary on how Hollywood actresses are hypersexualized and objectified, the second beat of the joke never came. Instead, it ended with a straight-up justification for the sex-sells mentality.”

NEXT: Princess Diaries and Pineapple Express don’t mix …

11. Anne Hathaway and James Franco awkwardly cohost

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2011
The entirety of Princess Diaries actress Anne Hathaway and Pineapple Express actor James Franco’s hosting of the Oscars was cringey, to say the least. Thus, we’ve added it to our list of embarrassing award show moments, although it’s one long moment — or many moments?

Whatever, you get the gist. The critiques of Hathaway and Franco post-Oscars said that the pair’s personalities clashed, possibly creating the awkwardness between them. It’s probably a lot easier to cohost when you like your cohost, no?

NEXT: She wasn’t on stage with the rest of the girl group’s comeback at the end of 2019.

12. Melody shows up late to The Pussycat Dolls’ performance

Award show: American Music Awards (AMAs)
Year: 2006
Former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton told the Mirror Online that she felt “worthless” while in the group. “I had never felt insecure until I joined The Pussycat Dolls.” Melody was recruited as a singer — but record execs never let her sing. This AMAs performance is a prime example of this tension.

Despite a chair falling over, The Dolls’ performance of “Buttons” was going well until Thornton appeared on stage with only 40 seconds left in the number. Thornton proceeded to sing off-pitch over Nicole Scherzinger’s vocals. She’s sung over Scherzinger before — but was on key.

NEXT: To her credit, she stood up right away.

13. Jennifer Lopez takes a spill

Award show: AMAs
Year: 2009
During her performance of “Louboutins” — which was boxing-themed for some reason — Jennifer Lopez attempted a stunt but didn’t quite land it right. Using her backup dancers as a makeshift staircase, J.Lo climbed up the stairs and jumped off the last dancer.

Unfortunately, she didn’t stick the landing and ended up on her butt. Lopez hopped up onto her feet almost immediately and finished the rest of “Louboutins” without an issue. Hey — it was a big stunt that you and I probably couldn’t do either.

NEXT: Some family members are a little TOO close.

14. Angelina Jolie kisses her brother on the lips

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2000
To be honest, I can’t tell that they’re kissing on the lips in this 2000 Academy Awards video. But a quick Google search of Angelina Jolie and her brother James Haven shows they have a history of lip-locking.

This probably wouldn’t be an addition to a list of embarrassing award show moments for Jolie and Haven, but plenty of individuals were uncomfortable with that Oscars kiss. To make matters worse, Jolie said she was “in love” with her brother upon accepting her award for Girl, Interrupted.

NEXT: Note to self — don’t interrupt Jay-Z’s performances …

15. Lil Mama shows up to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ performance … uninvited

Award show: MTV VMAs
Year: 2009
Interestingly, this happened the same night that Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech (see slide number one). Let’s set the scene: Rapper Jay-Z and singer Alicia Keys were wrapping up a performance of “Empire State of Mind.”

Then — out of nowhere — “Lip Gloss” singer Lil Mama hopped up on stage to pose with Keys and Jay-Z at the end of the song. Jay-Z was really unhappy, calling Lil Mama’s crashing of his performance “outta line.” Lil Mama later apologized.

NEXT: The unedited version of this photo is not safe for work (NSFW) …

16. Man streaks as Elizabeth Taylor takes the stage

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 1974
Oscars cohost David Niven was introducing actress Elizabeth Taylor when a naked man sporting a very ’70s mustache streaked across the stage, throwing up a peace sign in the process. After 30 seconds of laughter from the audience, Niven made a joke.

“Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?” The streaker was artist, photographer, and gay rights activist Robert Opel. That moment gained Opel and his work some notoriety.

NEXT: This Golden Globes acceptance speech was a total cringe-fest.

17. Jacqueline Bisset’s strange Golden Globes acceptance speech

Award show: Golden Globes
Year: 2014
Upon accepting her award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Show, Miniseries, or TV Movie for Dancing on the Edge, actress Jacqueline Bisset embarked on what some critics said was a strange speech. She dropped the “S word,” said forgiveness is her best beauty treatment …

And she said, “Like my mother used to say, ‘Go to hell and don’t come back.’” A report in Variety explained Bisset’s confusing behavior. Apparently, she didn’t know her category was coming up so soon and got frazzled when her name was called.

NEXT: The first fall was planned — the rest weren’t.

18. Katy Perry falls — four times

Award show: MTV Latin America Awards (Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica)
Year: 2008
At the end of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” performance, she jumped into a big pink cake — which was planned — but the other times she slipped on the icing on the ground probably weren’t.

Her guitarist tried to help her up, but Perry kept slipping. She eventually crawled away — gravity and icing overpowered her, apparently. Fortunately, this all occurred at the end of the performance, with the rest of the song going off without a hitch.

NEXT: This moment became a meme shared widely across the internet.

19. Nicole Kidman’s seal-like clapping

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2017
Viewers noticed actress Nicole Kidman’s unique method of clapping, which looked to some as one that was very seal-like. Memes of Kidman’s seal clapping circled the internet and she became the third-most Googled person from the Oscars red carpet.

Apparently, she was clapping like this to avoid damaging her expensive rings. “It was really awkward!” Kidman told KISS FM. “I was like gosh, I want to clap, I don’t want to not be clapping, which would be worse, right? ‘Why isn’t Nicole clapping?’”

NEXT: “Awkward Man” also drove the internet wild.

20. ‘Awkward man’ creeps behind Neil Patrick Harris

Award show: Emmy Awards
Year: 2013
Actor Neil Patrick Harris was doing his thing, hosting the 2013 Emmys when a random man appeared behind him. The man had a “deer in headlights” expression like he accidentally made it onto the stage somehow. He eventually slowly sidestepped offstage.

This incident might have been planned — audiences later found out “Awkward Man” was Paul Greenberg, a writer on the award show. One would think a TV writer might not accidentally find themselves onstage …

NEXT: No fans were (seriously) injured during this performance.

21. Miguel accidentally falls on a fan

Award show: Billboard Music Awards
Year: 2013
This was a bummer for Miguel (and the fan he landed on) because it was such a good performance pre-clothesline. Miguel was killing it during a performance of “Adorn” at the Billboard Music Awards … until he jumped from one part of the stage to another.

He ended up clotheslining a fan and landed on her with his crotch in her face. Looking at the video, that looks like it hurt! Miguel and the injured fan were interviewed backstage and she seemed OK except for the fact that she was icing her arm.

NEXT: “Just a little blood, but, whatever, rock and roll.” 

22. Joe Jonas falls and cuts his hand

Award show: AMAs
Year: 2007
To start off their performance, The Jonas Brothers had three panels of glass shatter in front of them. Unfortunately, brother Joe Jonas tripped over the panel threshold, fell, and sliced his hand on the glass on the ground.

We’re not entertainment experts by any means, but I would think omitting any dangerous elements from the stage is a good idea. Joe Jonas was reported saying backstage: “Just a little blood, but, whatever, rock and roll.”

NEXT: Audiences thought he meant he was the first gay male to win an Oscar — which isn’t true.

23. Sam Smith screws up an Ian McKellen quote

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2016
For viewers that didn’t know that Sam Smith just screwed up an Ian McKellen quote, it sounded like the singer was congratulating himself. Upon accepting his Oscar for Best Original Song, Smith implied he was the first openly gay male to win one.

Apparently he was trying to quote Ian McKellen. Viewers and critics were confused for a second, because there have been other openly gay men to win Oscars. (See: Elton John, Dustin Lance Black, and Howard Ashman.)

NEXT: Some viewers were not happy with Seth MacFarlane after he did this.

24. Seth MacFarlane offends a bunch of people

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2013
Academy Awards host Seth MacFarlane did a lot of things to offend viewers across the U.S. in 2013. Perhaps that shouldn’t be too surprising coming from the guy who brought us the stoner teddy bear and the less-than-politically-correct Family Guy.

(Theron’s character that MacFarlane mentioned in his song was a victim of abuse, just FYI … ) Jennifer Lawrence was mentioned and was pre-recorded herself fist-bumping in victory. Among other offensive things MacFarlane said: calling Django Unchained Rihanna and Chris Brown’s “date movie.”

NEXT: The internet is still in love with this meme.

25. Chrissy Teigen’s crying face becomes a meme

Award show: Golden Globes
Year: 2015
The camera happened to land on Chrissy Teigen at a not-so-model-like moment and thus, her “crying face” became a meme. Sorry, Chrissy. The model was tearing up as her husband, singer John Legend, walked onstage to accept his award for “Best Original Song.”

“Sorry I don’t practice my cry face okay,” Teigen quipped on Twitter after her “cry face” went viral. “It’s been 5 minutes and I’m a meme.” It’s been years since the 2015 Golden Globes, and the Teigen cry-face meme is still going strong on the internet.

NEXT: Whoever was in charge of the envelopes probably got fired.

26. The La La Land and Moonlight mix-up

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2017
Iconic silver screen stars Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty (otherwise known as Bonnie and Clyde) were presenting the Oscar for Best Picture when they were given the wrong envelope. They announced that La La Land had won, but Moonlight was the actual winner.

Turns out that Dunaway and Beatty were given the envelope announcing Emma Stone’s Best Actress award — but that award had already been announced. This much-talked-about incident became known as #EnvelopeGate on the internet.

NEXT: David Letterman wasn’t always funny.

27. David Letterman makes a bad Oprah and Uma Thurman joke

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 1995
Late Show host David Letterman had the honor — and difficult job — of hosting the Academy Awards in 1995. Letterman started off his hosting duties with a super lame joke: “I’ve been dying to do something all day and I think maybe we can take care of this,” he said.

“Oprah? Uma. Uma? Oprah. I feel much better. Have you kids met Keanu?” The audience laughed, but it’s unsure how many people actually thought that joke was hilarious. The YouTube commenters seem to think Letterman’s joke was funny, though.

NEXT: Here’s another meme-worthy moment from 2016 involving Leonardo DiCaprio.

28. That face Leonardo DiCaprio made at Lady Gaga

Award show: Golden Globes
Year: 2016
“Oh lord — that’s trending, huh?” Leonardo DiCaprio asked Entertainment Tonight after they showed him the then-viral GIF. The GIF in question shows Lady Gaga squeezing by DiCaprio to accept her Golden Globe. DiCaprio seemed to cringe.

Things aren’t always what they seem, however. DiCaprio told Entertainment Tonight that he meant nothing by his cringe face. “I just didn’t know what was passing me, that’s all!” he said.

NEXT: Faith Hill maintains she was just joking and has nothing against Carrie Underwood.

29. Fans thought Faith Hill was mad at Carrie Underwood

Award show: Country Music Awards (CMAs)
Year: 2006
After singer Carrie Underwood was announced as the winner of the CMAs’ Female Vocalist of the Year award, fellow singer Faith Hill was seen throwing her hands up in the air grinning, then that smile turned to a scowl and she seemingly shouted “WHAT?” at the camera.

At first, viewers thought Hill was freaking out over the loss. Hill came back saying she was just joking. The star said: “The idea that I would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me … Carrie is a talented and deserving Female Vocalist of the Year.”

NEXT: Disney sued the Academy Awards over this.

30. Rob Lowe sings ‘Proud Mary’ with Snow White

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 1989
If you’re looking for a truly confusing but hilarious performance, look no further than this performance Rob Lowe did with an actress dressed up like Snow White. The New York Times had a scathing review written up about the performance.

“Snow White played as a simpering ninny, performed a duet of ‘Proud Mary’ with Rob Lowe, who would be well-advised to confine all future musical activities to the shower,” Janet Maslin wrote in March 1989 in The New York Times. Apparently, the show’s producer, Allan Carr, was shunned in Hollywood after this aired. Definitely one of the most embarrassing award show moments!

31. Nicki Minaj wardrobe malfunction

Award show: MTV Music Video Awards

Year: 2014

In 2014, rapper Nick Minaj was set to perform alongside Ariana Grande and Jessie J. The trio had a banger that year in their song “Bang Bang.”

Minaj had to make a quick wardrobe between her solo performance which immediately preceded her group performance.

Wanting to match the style of her co-performers, who were wearing black and white, Minaj made a last-minute decision to wear a black dress instead of what she was originally planning to wear.

But as the music went on, Minaj realized the zipper wouldn’t zip. To make matters worse, she was going commando underneath given the dress’s body hugging fit.

It was too late. To her credit, she rolled with the punches, stepped out on stage holding the dress together, and performed alongside Jessie J  and Ariana Grande, holding her dress together the whole time.

Now that’s a performer.

32. Britney’s not into it

Award show: MTV’s Video Music Awards

Year: 2007

In many ways, Britney Spears is the queen of the VMAs. She has given the awards show many of its most iconic moments, including her unforgettable ‘Slave 4 U’ performance in which the Princess of Pop danced with a huge yellow-and-white python wrapped around her shoulders.

That’s why when she returned to the VMA stage in 2007 (in what many saw as a comeback performance), everyone was sort of stunned. Completely out of character, Spears dancing was off rhythm, slow, and the singer herself seemed disoriented in general. Many wondered if she was under the influence.

The performance received harsh criticisms, and many declared Britney’s career over. It’s worth noting that at the time, Spears was going through a number personal struggles that may have impacted her ability to deliver her best.

It wasn’t. Spears would returns to the VMA stage in 2016 and deliver a mind-blowing performance that proved all her critics wrong.

33. Nicole Kidman snubs Rami Malek

Award show: Golden Globes

Year: 2019

At the 2019, Nicole Kidman was presenting the award for Best Drama. The winner that year was Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody. After Kidman read off the winner, actor Rami Malek headed to the stage to accept the award.

Typically, the presenter of the award hands the winner the trophy, often coupled with a warm hug. Perhaps thats what Malek expected of Kidman, but he was in for a disappointment.

Not only did Kidman turn away from Malek after he accepted the award – he gently touched her back in hopes that she owuld turn around and aknowledge him.

She didn’t.

The awkward moments was replayed on late night talk shows everywhere. Malek later said of the incident: ‘…This is probably still haunting me.”

34. Seth McFarlane’s song and dance

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2013

Seth McFarlane is a funny guy – the comedy writer is the mastermind behind many hit shows and films including American Dad, Family Guy, and Ted.

Unfortunately, his male-centric humor didn’t translate quite as well live when he hosted the 85th Academy Awards in 2013. There, he performed a cringeworthy song entitled ‘We Saw Your Boobs,’ in which he calls out actresses – who were present in the audience – for going topless in films, as well as which film they went topless in.

As the camera panned to the actresses in the audience, needless to say, most reacted with disgust, surprise, and embarrassment.

This act probably would not have made the cut in the post #MeToo era.

35. Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress

Award show: MTV Video Music Awards
Year: 2010

In 2010, Lady Gaga was perhaps the most talked about artist of the year. Her debut album, The Fame, had produced numerous chart-topping singles and was the #1 album in several countries including big name markets like the U.K., Germany, and Canada. (The highest it ever ranked in the U.S., was #2).

She did, however, win album of the year at the 2010 VMAs. She caught viewers off guard when she went up on stage donning a gown made entirely of meat.

The star was known for her eccentric, exaggerated tactics, but this one really took the cake, and remains one of the most memorable moments of her career.

The star later said that the dress was a statement to fight for your rights – that if we didn’t we would be reduced to nothing but the meat on our bones. Whether or not that message translated is up for you to to decide.

After the show, the dress was dried out into jerky and put on display at a museum.

36. Natalie Portman calls out all-male Best Director nominees

Award show: Golden Globes
Year: 2018

In 2018, Natalie Portman was selected to present the nominees and award for Best Director at the Golden Globes, alongside directing legend Ron Howard.

Before cutting into the montage of films for which the directors’ were being nominated, to the surprise of many, Natalie calmly led with: “Here are the all male nominees.”

Co-presenter Ron Howard laughed at the unexpected remake while Portman remained stoic.

The comment made quite a polarizing splash on Twitter, some calling Portman brave while others denounced her ruining the moment for that year’s nominees.

One of Portman’s supporters that night? That night’s Best Director winner, Guillermo Del Toro. Addressing the incident at a later point in time, Del Toro said “I think it was great….there is phenomenal work being done by female directors.”

37. Miley’s Tongue n’ Twerk

Award show: MTV’s Video Music Awards
Year: 2013

In 2013, 21-year-old Miley Cyrus was proactively shedding her Hannah Montana Disney star image. She had released her Bangerz album earlier that year, a notable departure from her earlier music in that the lyrics talked about partying, drugs, and sex.

The album’s first single, We Can’t Stop, was a smashing success that broke the record for most-watched video within 24 hours of release on video streaming site Vevo.

Later that year, she was invited to perform at the VMAs with Robin Thick. She appeared on stage wearing a flesh-toned, latex bra and bottom ensemble, twerked (danced suggestively) on her 36-year-old co-performer, Robin Thick while wagging a foam finger and sticking out her tongue.

The performance was met with harsh criticism, and the FCC received numerous complaints.

But Miley meant it when she said she “can’t stop:” the starlet would later release the Wrecking Ball music video in which she would swing around on a wrecking ball in the nude. The song was her first single to hit #1 in the Top 100.

38. Björk lays an egg on the red carpet

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2001

Who could ever forget Icelandic singer Björk’s arrival to the 73rd Academy Awards in the swan dress? To her credit, it remains among the most iconic looks to ever hit the red carpet.

But Björk didn’t just want to look like a swan – she wanted to be a swan.

To make that dream a reality, she did something no one expected her to do. She laid an egg on the red carpet. And she didn’t stop there. The singer had come prepared with a half a dozen eggs to lay around the red carpet.

Apparently, the singer had a volleyball-sized fake eggs tucked under her dress. When the moment was right and the cameras were rolling, she dropped it at just the right moment so that everyone could see that she had in fact completed her transformation into a swan.

Gotta love artsy people.

39. Elinor Burkett steals the show

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2009

Elinor Burkett is the Kanye West of the Oscars.

Burkett had been part of the production crew for the film Music by Prudence, but was ultimately removed, forcefully, from her role by the rest of the film’s producers. She filed a lawsuit against them for the action.

When the film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, credited producer Roger Ross Williams was only 10 seconds into his acceptance speech when Burkett rushed the stage and interjected with “just like a man, never let the woman talk,” before launching into her own acceptance speech.

Williams gracefully reclaimed the attention and redirected it to the band the documentary was about, and later gave his acceptance speech and thanks you on an episode of Larry King Live the following night.

40. Gwyneth Paltrow’s acceptance speech

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 1998

In 1998, Gwyneth Paltrow won Best Actress for her role in Shakespeare in Love.

Her emotional acceptance speech is remembered by many as the cringiest, sappiest speech ever given at the Oscars, in which she lists off the many…many…people she’s thankful for, from her husband to now infamous Hollywood heavyweight, Harvey Weinstien.

Of course, this speech was long before all the allegations against Weinstein surfaced, so that was not why the speech was criticized. It was so emotional, weepy, and long, that viewers doubted her earnestness.

The acceptance speech was lauded as the the death of sincerity of award acceptance speeches.

Paltrow herself says she never watches the speech.

41. Kirstie Alley’s uncomfortable joke

Award Show: Emmys
Year: 1991

Today, casual sex jokes are more common during awards shows than they used to be. Even now, they sometimes make us cringe. Back in 1991, they were just plain uncomfortable. They must have forgotten to tell Kirstie Alley that.

During her acceptance speech for Best Lead Actress, she made an awkward sex joke thanking her then-husband Parker Stevenson. We’re still cringing. Even worse: The presenter for the award was Macaulay Culkin, who was still a kid at the time.

42. Brangelina and Jen in the same room

Award Show: Academy Awards
Year: 2009

Once known as Hollywood’s Golden Couple, the end of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s marriage surprised everyone… except maybe Angelina Jolie? Brad and Jen divorced in 2005, with reports swirling that he had an affair with Angelina while they were filming Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

And as much as the exes might have tried to avoid one another, Hollywood is a notoriously small town. They were bound to run into one another eventually. Of course, it happened in front of television cameras. The Pitt-Jolies were in the front row while Aniston was presenting. Can you say, awkward?

43. Angeline Jolie’s leg

Award Show: Academy Awards
Year: 2012

Even a beautiful woman can be insecure about her looks, leading her to try for some rather desperate attention grabs. This was the case during the 2012 Oscars, when Angelina Jolie’s leg tried to steal the show.

Her black dress had a strategically-placed side slit, and Angie seemingly went though all sorts of contortionist moves to make sure audiences would see her long, toned leg. Oh, they did! But not with the results she intended. “Angie’s right leg” became a celebrity and a meme after the show.

44. Nick Jonas’ teeth

Awards Show: Grammys
Year: 2020

Everyone knows that stars have their rituals when they’re getting ready for big events. Wearing just the right outfit, getting their hair/makeup/nails done. And eating spinach? Judging by the “What a Man Gotta Do” singer’s appearance at the Grammys, he’s definitely a fan of salad.

Closeups of the youngest brother during his performance gave viewers quite the view of… something… caught in his teeth. Where was his BFF when he needed one? Jonas was unfazed by the fuss, though, and shrugged it off good-naturedly. “At least you know I eat my greens,” he tweeted.

45. Heidi Klum takes a spill

Awards Show: Emmys
Year: 2008

That year the Emmys had not one presenter, but many – and all of them were reality TV stars. But there’s a reason we leave this to the professionals, as Heidi Klum painfully discovered. During a skit in which she swooned, Tom Bergeron was supposed to catch her.

Unfortunately, they hadn’t had time to rehearse, and instead of catching her like he was supposed to, Tom Bergereon dropped her. Heidi went down hard onto the stage. She would later show off a large, painful bruise as a result of the skit-gone-awry.

46. Jon Hamm crawls up the stage

Awards Show: Emmys
Year: 2015

We can only guess that when Jon Hamm heard his name called, his mind went blank. That’s because instead of following the lead of the night’s other winner, the Mad Men actor decided to take a shortcut up to the stage.

Ignoring the steps on either side of the stage, Jon approached the center of the stage and threw one leg up. He then had to take his time struggling and pulling his way onto the stage, looking uncomfortable the entire time. Really Jon, it’s easier to just dash up the steps.

47. Jan Chapman’s “In Memoriam” moment

Award Show: Academy Awards
Year: 2017

The Oscar’s “In Memoriam” reel is a lovely tribute to the cinematic professionals that passed away that year. They don’t just focus on the stars – anyone in the industry who passed away that year can be memorialized.

Well, it seems someone didn’t get the memo in 2017. Imagine Jan Chapman’s confusion when she saw her picture show up. The unfortunate mixup was due to her photo being confused for that of another costume designer, Janet Patterson.

48. When Sam Smith thought he was first

Award Show: Academy Awards
Year: 2016

Most stars will tell you that “it’s an honor just to be nominated.” But deep down, of course, they all want to win! And that goes double when a star feels that they are breaking some kind of barrier. Maybe that explains Sam Smith’s memory lapse?

The singer was rightfully thrilled with his award. But in his acceptance speech, he implied that we as the first openly gay man to win an Oscar. Not so fast, Sam! Howard Ashman, Dustin Lance Black, Elton John, and Scott Rudin were all openly gay, too, when they received theirs.

49. Barbara Stanwyck’s wardrobe malfunction

Awards Show: Emmys
Year: 1961

Think wardrobe malfunctions are a modern invention? Think again! Actress Barbara Stanwyck had one at the 1961 Emmys. As she walked over to accept her award, her cape ended up getting caught on her dress.

Fortunately, staff quickly came to her aid, ripping off the cape. In true Hollywood fashion, the show went on. Barbara was able to accept her award and thank her family. And thankfully for Barbara, without the internet, she didn’t become a meme.

50. Renee’s Unfortunate Potty Break

Awards Show: Golden Globes
Year: 2000

You might think that a seasoned actor would wait until after her category was announced before taking a bathroom break. But in the case of Renee Zellweger, you’d be wrong. When Hugh Grant read her name as the Best Actress for her role in Nurse Betty, Renee was nowhere to be found.

A confused Hugh stepped in to accept the award on her behalf, but was stopped when Renee came running over. Turns out, she had been in the bathroom fixing her lipstick when her name had been called.

Adrien Brody Gets Affectionate

Awards Show: Oscars
Year: 2003

The reward for winning an Oscar is usually just a statue – not a kiss with the hottest woman on the Oscar stage. Apparently, Adrien Brody didn’t get the memo. When he went on stage to accept his 2003 Oscar for Best Actor, he grabbed Halle Berry and dipped her into a dramatic kiss that shocked viewers.

Some people might have thought the stunt was planned, but Berry has insisted in interviews that it was definitely not and she spent the whole time wondering what the heck was happening.

Kristen Stewart Known Klutz

Awards show: MTV Movie Awards
Year: 2009

Unfortunately for Kristen Stewart, her appearance at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards upon winning the Golden Popcorn award didn’t do anything for her reputation as a bit less than graceful. Though the actress has starred in multiple films and has plenty of fans, no one was super shocked when she dropped her award and actually broke it.

She made a quick comment about her klutziness and hurried off the stage before she could do more damage. Probably the smartest move at the time.

Rashida Jones’ Tan?

Award show: SAG Awards
Year: 2015

During the 2015 SAG Awards, a clueless reporter interviewed Rashida Jones, making a bizarre and apparently uninformed comment about how nice Jones’ tan was. Jones, who is part African American, responded with a look on her face that said she was just as weirded out as the audience was.

She tried to lighten the mood, commenting that it’s because “I’m ethnic,” but everyone felt the awkwardness of such a strangely ignorant comment. Let’s hope the interviewer learned her lesson about commenting on other people’s skin tone!

Madonna’s Tribute to…Madonna

Award show: VMAs
Year: 2019

Supposedly a tribute to Aretha Franklin at the 2019 VMAs, fans couldn’t help but notice how everything Madonna said was all about…Madonna. She commented on her spiritual journey to fame and how stardom had changed her as a person…all without really mentioning Aretha Franklin at all.

When she was later asked about the absence of the person the tribute was for, Madonna revealed that originally it wasn’t meant to be about Franklin. Yeah, that definitely came across.

Aubrey Plaza Melts Down

Award show: MTV Movie Awards
Year: 2013

Will Ferrell probably wasn’t expecting a confrontation when he went onstage to accept his Comedic Genius Award at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards, but someone else was spoiling for a fight. During his acceptance speech, the money-clad man was assaulted by Aubrey Plaza who attempted to wrestle the award away from him after clambering onstage.

Ferrell desperately tried to make a joke of it, but she was soon escorted off the event premises for being drunk and disorderly. Hopefully, Plaza has started keeping better track of her drinks!

Rami Malek Takes A Dive

Award show: Academy Awards
Year: 2020

During the 2020 Academy Awards, after accepting the win for Best Actor for his role as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek excitedly tried to leave the stage to celebrate with his co-star and girlfriend. The star lost his footing while he tried to descend the apparently slippery staircase and disappeared from the camera.

Concerned attendants quickly called the paramedics, much to Malek’s chagrin as he admitted later that he was completely fine and that the only thing injured in the fall was his pride.

‘I Beat Meryl’

Award show: Golden Globes
Year: 2013

Jennifer Lawrence made history in 2013 when she won her first Golden Globe by proclaiming that she ‘beat’ Meryl. Most fans thought she meant Meryl Streep – who had also been nominated in the same category – but Lawrence was actually referencing the movie First Wives Club.

Sadly, the majority of the people in the audience didn’t understand the reference, and quite a few of them went after her on Twitter and other social media outlets. When asked for a response, Lawrence laughed it off, saying that she shouldn’t be allowed to improvise.

Keep Tommy Wiseau Quiet

Awards show: Golden Globes
Year: 2018

When James Franco won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, he wasn’t messing around. And why should he? He’d starred in and directed The Disaster Artist, and the glory was rightfully his to claim. However, that didn’t make it any less awkward for everyone to watch as Tommy Wiseau, the person on whom the movie was based, tried to speak into the microphone.

Franco bodily blocked him. It was especially weird since Franco had waved Wiseau onstage in the first place – but maybe it was just to rub it in.

A Swift Impersonation

Award show: MTV Video Music Awards
Year: 2019

John Travolta has made a few missteps when presenting awards, but this one is pretty funny. At the 2019 MTV Music Video Awards, he nearly handed the award for Taylor Swift to her impersonator, Jade Jolie.

Although Jolie was dressed as Swift, apparently Travolta had underestimated how good of an impersonator he’d be dealing with as he was totally fooled for a hot second. At the last minute, Travolta realized his mistake and everyone laughed it off…but that was really a close one.

What A Trip!

Awards show: SAG Awards
Year: 2015

At the 2015 SAG Awards, everyone was dressed to the nines. Emma Stone’s tuxedo-inspired dress had a fabulously long train that everyone admired when she went up on stage, along with the rest of the cast of Birdman to accept their award. Well, everyone except for Naomi Watts.

As Watts went to move across the stage, she tripped over the train of Stone’s dress and nearly took a painful header onto the stage. Luckily, she managed to avoid falling down, but Stone looked completely mortified as she kept repeating how sorry she was.

Snow Wrong

Awards Show: Academy Awards

Year: 1989

Rob Lowe was young, the 90’s were around the corner, and someone clearly had way too much confidence. For some reason, producers decided that an 11-minute Rob Lowe & Snow White musical number would be what people wanted to see. Spoiler alert: no one did. Big production values, campy sendups, and no laughs marked this epic fail

After leaving the audience sleepy with Snow White, Lowe has gone on to other hosting duties over the years. However, his incident left him scarred for life. Even going so far as to joke about it 30 years later. If you’ve seen it, you’ll probably agree – it’s just THAT bad

Soy Bomb?!?

Awards Show: Grammy Awards

Year: 1998

OK, so you’re rock royalty Bob Dylan, you’re on stage doing your thing, and… this happens. Performance artist Michael Portnoy (AKA Soy Bomb) ditches his shirt and starts doing, well, whatever this is. Both a play on words between the English and Spanish uses of ‘Soy’ and a form of social commentary, the viewers watching in the audience and at home had no idea what was going on

Though history has largely forgotten “Soy Bomb”, artist Michael Portnoy has continued a career beyond two-word paradoxical poetry and taking his shirt off. Or so we hear. Either way, most agreed it was pretty entertaining, if not a little confusing

Don’t Hassle The ‘Hoff

Awards Show: MTV Europe Music Awards

Year: 2009

David Hasselhoff is an institution in Germany. He was there when the Berlin Wall fell, he starred in Knight Rider, Baywatch, and, well, this awkward and likely a bit tipsy unscripted moment on the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards. After first clarifying (no one asked) that he wasn’t personally responsible for the fall of the wall, he went on to some weird, slurred, meandering monologue

Since he’s held in such high regard, Hoff fans likely gave him a pass on this one. Hopefully, after lots of water and a good night’s sleep, The ‘Hoff himself might not even remember giving the speech. Hopefully…

J. Law Flips The Bird

Awards Show: Academy Awards

Year: 2013

Hollywood cool kid Jennifer Lawerence is the darling of fans and critics alike. Slightly against type, the star had one universally understood gesture for the cameras after taking home an oscar. We’re not exactly sure what she was thinking, but whatever she intended was probably well within her rights as an “Academy Award Winning Actress”, after all

When taken with her gown, statue, and cheeky ‘flipping of the bird’, it just feels almost like a fashion accessory. Earings? Check. Necklace? Check. Middle finger? Checkmate!

Calling Out The Room

Awards Show: Academy Awards

Year: 2016

Sometimes people just need to sit with the truth. That was the case during comedian Chris Rock’s 2016 Academy Awards monologue. Rock used the opportunity to make a joke about the obvious lack of diversity in the industry. By reflecting the spotlight back on the decision-makers in Hollywood, things got a little bit uncomfortable real quick

The host, known for his social commentary, soon moved on to less uncomfortable truths and more consensus laugh lines. In the end, Rock got the last laugh, however. With hindsight, the quip was not only right on target but way ahead of its time.

Rolling Stones, Throwing Drinks

Awards Show: BRIT Awards

Year: 2017

You don’t mess with a Rolling Stone. That’s what former Big Brother contestant-turned-stage-crasher Brandon Block found out (the hard way) in 2017 when he messed with Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. With lots of drink had by both protagonists, Block’s attempt to get on camera while Wood was presenting an award didn’t go over so well

With a skillfully thrown drink and some, umm, choice words – the rock icon dispatched the wannabe reality star with just a flick of the wrist. Luckily, the glass stayed in Wood’s hands while the contents kept Block at bay. No one was hurt, and all likely forgot about the incident pretty much immediately

Jim Carrey Wants More Foghat!

Awards Show: MTV Movie Awards

Year: 1999

Appearing in character is basically Jim Carrey’s thing. Totally committed to inhabiting the personas he brings to the screen, Carrey decided to wing this one at the 1999 MTW Movie Awards. Taking the form of a Jim Morrison-style rocker from a bygone era, Carrey delivered what was essentially a long inside joke to the audience

Most memorably, the Ace Ventura star took MTV management to task for not playing more of the sometimes overlooked 70’s rock band Foghat. We can all agree with him there, right? Carrey seemed to be having a lot of fun with the gag, and so did the audience who just buckled up the moment he took the stage. Foghat rules!

Sip N’ Sass

Awards Show: GQ Awards

Year: 2008

Two generations and about a dozen drinks separated these co-hosts at the 2008 GQ awards. Elton John is a star who requires no introduction. Appearing alongside artist Lily Allen, Sir Elton soon began ribbing his co-host for imbibing a bit too much. Soon, the playful Rocket Man star found himself entrenched in a battle of words with the young Allen

Giving at least as good as she could get, the slightly slurred snapbacks flew and may have even felt a bit awkward for the audience at times. Still, it seems the pair were taking it all in good fun, and no hard feelings were had. On a second watching, the exchange made for great TV

Gen. Aladeen Meets Ryan Seacrest

Awards Show: Academy Awards

Year: 2012

With his beautiful bodyguards in tow, General Aladeen, A.K.A. notorious British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, appeared at the 2012 Oscars in support of his film The Dictator. Stopping for a red carpet interview with mega host and entertainment mogul Ryan Seacrest, Cohen stayed completely in character. With ‘Aladeen’ holding an urn supposedly filled with the ashes of another notorious leader, Seacrest knew something was up

Whether he was in on the setup or the gag came as a surprise, what happened next definitely shocked the millions of people watching around the world. As the audience looked on, Cohen ‘spilled’ the ashes all over the tuxedo-clad Seacrast at the exact moment that most viewers were tuning in to the biggest event of the year. Seacrast laughed it off, but the faces of genuine shock were priceless

“I Have To Apologize”

Awards Show: Miss Universe

Year: 2015

OK, so the Miss Universe Pagent isn’t exactly a typical awards show, but it’s close. Who could forget the time TV actor and funnyman Steve Harvey made one not-so-small slipup in delivering the final results. While faithfully executing his duties as host, Harvey accidentally crowned the wrong contestant as Miss Universe

Getty Images

It was an easy mistake to make, but in such a high-pressure situation, the simple mixup was massively embarrassing. The camera cut away before the Family Feud host could correct the error, coming back to a seemingly mortified Harvey telling the audience “I have to apologize.” Ironically, the incident probably made the runner-up more memorable in the end. Go figure