Adrien Brody, who won his second Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Brutalist, became the center of controversy at the 2025 Academy Awards when he performed an act that many deemed “disgusting.”
As Brody made his way up to the stage to collect his trophy, he turned to throw his chewing gum to his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman.
The 51-year-old actor, visibly emotional, won the coveted award over fellow nominees Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Sebastian Stan, and Ralph Fiennes.
The Controversial Moment at the 2025 Oscars
Brody, who had previously won an Oscar in 2003, made a dramatic appearance as his name was called out.
However, it was not just his victory that caught attention.
While walking up the steps to accept his award, he removed his gum and tossed it toward Chapman, Harvey Weinstein’s ex-wife.
Fans watched in disbelief as Chapman caught the gum, and the actor proceeded with his emotional speech.
He thanked his partner, their children, and shared a heartfelt message, but the gum-throwing moment quickly overshadowed the moment.
Fans Express Outrage Over the Gum-Throwing Incident
Many fans took to social media to voice their anger over Brody’s actions, calling the gum throw “disrespectful” and “unnecessary.”
Comments flooded in criticizing Brody for not using his long acceptance speech to apologize to Chapman for the act.
Some fans even compared the incident to the infamous moment when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, with one Twitter user stating, “Adrien Brody throwing his gum at Georgina Chapman while walking up the stairs to accept his award is honestly more shocking than Will Smith slapping Chris Rock.”
Brody’s Oscar Speech and Emotional Thanks
Despite the controversy, Brody’s speech was a significant moment during the ceremony.
He took the opportunity to reflect on his career and the journey ahead, emphasizing that the win symbolized a new chapter in his life.
He said, “Winning an award like this signifies a destination and something my character references in the film.
But to me, it also represents a chance to begin again.”
He also thanked Chapman and the children she shares with Harvey Weinstein, referring to them as his own and revealing that the kids call him “Popsie.”
The actor’s words seemed heartfelt, yet the earlier gum-throwing incident still seemed to dominate the conversations online.
Other Highlights from the 2025 Academy Awards
While Brody’s win was marred by controversy, the evening did feature several other memorable moments.
Mikey Madison shocked audiences by taking home Best Actress for her role in Anora, defeating Demi Moore, who was considered a heavy favorite for her role in The Substance.
Anora also triumphed in the Best Picture and Best Director categories, with Sean Baker taking home the directing award.
Zoe Saldaña made history as the first Oscar winner of Dominican descent, earning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez.
Saldaña took a moment to thank her ancestors for making her success possible and highlighted the significance of her win for future generations.
The Full List of 2025 Oscar Winners
The night was filled with memorable wins across various categories, from Best Director to Best Animated Feature Film.
Some notable awards included The Brutalist winning Best Cinematography and Anora taking home Best Original Screenplay.
The evening also saw major wins for Emilia Pérez, with the film securing Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay, while Wicked claimed the Best Costume Design award.
With a mix of triumphs and controversies, the 2025 Academy Awards will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
While Adrien Brody’s gum-throwing moment may have sparked outrage, the overall event celebrated incredible talent, diversity, and storytelling across the globe.