5 Most Controversial Moments in Showbiz History
Controversy and show business go hand-in-hand for a multitude of reasons. Whether it be pushing the envelope against social norms or even technical errors at awards ceremonies, Hollywood has seen its fair share of talked-about moments. While there are far more than five which were talked about for a long time, these five are the first that come to mind for a lot of people.
Wardrobe Malfunction
Football fans will remember Super Bowl XXXVIII for the wild fourth quarter that it had. the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers were battling it out with the Patriots holding a four-point lead going into the 4th quarter. a last-minute kick by Adam Vinatieri won the game for New England giving Tom Brady his second Super Bowl win.
However, everyone else will remember Super Bowl 38 for the halftime show featuring Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. at the end of the performance Timberlake ripped off a piece of Jackson’s top revealing her breast to millions of people worldwide. This ended up being the most re-watched moment in DVR history, and thousands of calls flooded the FCC as a result. The Super Bowl is already the most-watched program in the United States each year, and the halftime show had people talking for months.
Mel Gibson’s Rant
During the height of his career, Mel Gibson was one of the most bankable movie stars in Hollywood thanks to the success of films like “Lethal Weapon”, “Braveheart”, and “Conspiracy Theory”. Gibson was still finding regular work by the mid-2000s, but his career would essentially come to a halt for nearly a decade thanks to his 2006 arrest. While intoxicated, Gibson went on a rant and said some unsavory things.
He blamed the Jewish people for all of the world’s wars, asking the police officer if she was Jewish herself. Gibson then went on to call the officer “sugar t**s” and banged his head against the cruiser’s window. Gibson apologized and went into rehab for alcoholism, and it would be years before he talked about the arrest in-depth. “I’ve never discriminated against anyone or done anything that sort of supports that reputation,” he said. “And for one episode in the back of a police car on eight double tequilas to sort of dictate all the work…is really unfair.”
O.J. Acquitted
While Mel Gibson was caught driving under the influence and acting erratically, NFL star turned actor O.J. Simpson was charged with something more serious: murder. On June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found murdered at Brown’s property in Brentwood, California, and Simpson instantly became a person of interest.
After a police chase that made headlines around the world, a lengthy trial ensued that captured everyone’s attention. On October 3, 1995, the verdict was finally read with everyone glued to their television. To the surprise of a majority of people, Simpson was found not guilty of murder in either case. With over 100 million people watching the verdict, some celebrated while most were left scratching their heads, wondering how a not-guilty verdict could happen after seeing the evidence.
La La Land or Moonlight?
The 89th Academy Awards in 2017 was an award show to remember, thanks in large part to the ending of the show. There were some fun moments that included Emma Stone winning Best Actress for “La La Land” and Viola Davis winning Best Supporting Actress for “Fences”. What everyone remembers from the show, however, is the Best Picture category.
Originally, “La La Land” was said to be the winner after Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong envelope. They had received the one naming Emma Stone as the winner for Best Actress that had already been used and simply read the film’s name assuming that it won. However, an Oscar crew member ran up to the stage and handed Beatty the new envelope which said “Moonlight” won Best Picture. It was an awkward moment as the “La La Land” cast and crew were already on stage.
Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock
The “La La Land” and “Moonlight” controversy is incredibly tame in comparison to what happened at the Oscars five years later. While Chris Rock was presenting for Best Documentary Feature, he threw a couple of jokes toward Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, and Will Smith began walking toward the stage.
People assumed he was going to do something playful, but instead, he reared back his right hand and slapped Chris Rock across the face. He then returned to his seat yelling “Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth!” Video of the incident went viral immediately, and Smith received a 10-year ban from the Oscars despite winning Best Actor later that night.
