Not
so fast. In a twist ending most filmmakers could have never predicted,
“Moonlight” was named Best Picture at Sunday’s Academy Awards after
frontrunner “La La Land” had already been crowned.
Social
media exploded with reactions of shock and confusion immediately following the
snafu, and many celebrities joined the conversation.
“What
happened to Best Picture?” William Shatner asked on Twitter, echoing
similar questions posted across the platform.
What happened to Best Picture?
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 27, 2017
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“Wait a second. I’m traveling. How many movies just won best picture?” Josh Gad tweeted, while Seth MacFarlane added a political jab to his own response.
“You know what the problem is — millions of Academy members voted illegally,” he tweeted.
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Actor and comedian Billy Eichner shared hope that perhaps other major entertainment news stories could be proven false as well.
“IF ANYONE FROM THE IN MEMORIUM IS STILL ALIVE PLEASE LET US KNOW,” he tweeted.
IF ANYONE FROM THE IN MEMORIUM IS STILL ALIVE PLEASE LET US KNOW
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) February 27, 2017
Presenters
Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had taken the stage at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre
to present the evening’s final honor, announcing “La La Land” as the
victor after what seemed like a bit of initial hesitation on Beatty’s part.
“La
La Land” producer Jordan Horowitz interrupted his colleagues’ onstage celebration to
reveal that “Moonlight” had actually won, holding up the correct Best
Picture card as proof.
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Beatty then addressed the crowd to explain that the card he had been given read “Emma Stone, ‘La La Land,'” which is why he had taken his time.
“I wasn’t trying to be funny,” he added.
“Nothing like live TV,” Ellen DeGeneres tweeted after the now-viral moment.
Nothing like live TV. Congrats to Moonlight! And to La La Land for such a gracious reaction. #Oscars
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) February 27, 2017
Neil Patrick Harris pointed out on Twitter that the envelope Beatty was holding appeared to be for the Actress in a Leading Role category, a mishap which Larry King found unfortunate.
“A great #Oscars spoiled by a bad envelope,” King tweeted.
Warren Beatty seems to be opening an envelope that says 'Actress in a Leading Role'. He must have been handed the wrong one somehow. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/Rma4wp80aX
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) February 27, 2017
Prior to the reveal, Katy Perry expressed disappointment to her Twitter followers over losing a bet that “Moonlight” – her Best Picture pick – would win. Once she realized what had happened, however, her tone changed to simple disbelief.
“WHAT WAIT OMG,” she wrote.
Rosie O’Donnell referred to the mix-up as “a happy ooooooops,” while Jessica Chastain questioned what took so long for the mistake to be acknowledged.
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“Why didn’t the producers of the show rush the stage when the wrong winner had been announced?” she wrote. “I feel bad for #lalaland producers.”
Why didn't the producers of the show rush to the stage when the wrong winner had been announced?! I feel bad for #lalaland producers AWKWARD pic.twitter.com/bs2S7rj325
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) February 27, 2017
“Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, meanwhile, wondered if similar accidents have happened at other awards shows – particularly ones where he’s been nominated.
“Maybe I won an Emmy one of the 5 times I lost! Anything is possible,” he joked on Twitter, before offering his congratulations to “Moonlight” as “an amazing and deserving Best Picture winner.”
Maybe I won an Emmy one of the 5 times I lost! Anything is possible. Congrats to #Moonlight. An amazing and deserving best picture winner!
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) February 27, 2017
First-time Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel shared a self-deprecating angle, telling the audience that he’d expected something to go wrong while at the helm.
“I knew I would screw this up,” he deadpanned. “I’m never coming back.”
— Erin Biglow
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