10 memorable award show moments that went viral

Award shows have given us some of the most unforgettable live TV moments ranging from shockingly hilarious to genuinely heartwarming. These incidents somehow live beyond the event itself, spawning endless memes, arguments, and pop-cultural references. From impromptu outbursts to tearful speeches to the bizarre mishaps, they leave a lasting impression on fans.

From a single reaction or blunder to speech that gets replayed thousands or millions of times, the moments in the entertainment history have sparked conversations of social media globally.

Some outrageously famous mix-ups, like the La La Land and Moonlight debacle, and casual pregnancy announcements, like Rihanna's Super Bowl performance, have left audiences stunned. Unexpected moments, such as Adele snapping her Grammy in half and giving it as a tribute to Beyoncé, tend to resonate far longer than most other award show events.

With the growing number of dramas and spectacles that have become a part of the award shows, audiences have started to expect more such moments to unveil. Be it a jaw-dropping performance, an unfiltered reaction, or a slip-up live moment, it reminds us that live TV is always awfully unpredictable and thrilling. Here are 10 award show moments that are and will be always remembered forever.

1) When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock (Oscars 2022)

The 2022 Oscars are firmly etched in people's memories because of the moment when Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock over a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, which referenced her alopecia.

The audience was stunned as the moment unfolded, and Smith returned to his seat while shouting, 'Keep my wife's name out of your mouth!' The incident overshadowed the evening, with Smith apologizing later and being banned from the Oscars for ten years.

The incident sparked a global reaction on social media, with both funny and serious discussions about personal space and repercussions continuing ever since. It dominated the news and social media for months and remains one of the most talked-about moments in awards show history.

2) The infamous La La Land and Moonlight mix-up (Oscars 2017)

One of the most jaw-dropping moments in Oscar history was the infamous mix-up, where La La Land was mistakenly announced as Best Picture instead of Moonlight due to an envelope mix-up.

As the entire cast and crew of La La Land took the stage to begin their acceptance speeches, the mistake was finally realized. A stunned Warren Beatty then announced that Moonlight was the actual winner.

It was pure chaos, and social media had a field day with this monumental mix-up. It remains one of the most spectacular live TV blunders, proving that anything can happen on the Oscar stage.

3) Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscars fall (2013)

Winning an Oscar is a revered dream for any actor. However, Jennifer Lawrence's big day turned out to be an unexpected one. She fell down the stairs by tripping on her gown while going to the stage to get her award for Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook.

She was quick enough to recover, but the audience gasped and laughed about as they saw the event unfolding. Her fans loved her even more for handling the situation with utmost grace and calmness.

This moment will likely remain one of the most talked-about in Oscar history, proving that even Hollywood's biggest stars can have graceless moments.

4) Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift (VMAs 2009)

At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West abruptly rushed onto the stage and grabbed the mic that Taylor Swift was holding, while stating that "Beyoncé had the best video of all time." The entire fiasco happened while Swift was giving her acceptance speech for Best Female Video.

The incident left the audience stunned while Swift stood there, unable to finish her speech. It further caused a social media havoc against West, leading to years of dissension between the celebrities.

Even after a decade, it remains one of the most awkward encounters during an award show speech. It became a classic example of celebrity disputes taking unexpected turns.

5) Adele breaking her Grammy award (2017)

When Adele received the Album of the Year Award for 25, she expressed how it was not right for her to accept it without mentioning her utmost respect for Beyoncé’s Lemonade. She began to tear up and said that she could not accept the award because, in her view, Lemonade was “so monumental” that "it actually means more than any other album in a long time."

In an emotional gesture, she then broke the award in half, symbolically sharing it with Beyoncé. It was yet another example of her humility, but it also reignited discussions about racial bias in award recognition.

6) Ellen’s selfie breaking Twitter (Oscars 2014)

In 2014, host Ellen DeGeneres snapped a selfie with a wide array of A-list celebrities, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Lupita Nyong'o, who were in attendance at the Oscars.

The picture-perfect star-studded event was tweeted live, making it the most retweeted image at that time in history. It further highlighted the power of social media in award shows; sometimes, a single picture can be just as memorable as the award itself.

7) Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper’s Chemistry (Oscars 2019)

During the Oscars in 2019, one of the moments of the night was when Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper delivered a close rendition of "Shallow." The gave audiences ample opportunity to speculate about their off-screen relationship.

Although Cooper was in a relationship at the time, his synchronized eye contact and body language with Gaga sparked rumors. She later addressed the speculation, explaining that their chemistry was an intentional performative choice to enhance the emotion of the song. However, that didn’t stop the internet from keeping the moment alive, with fans re-sharing it and making it one of the most talked-about highlights of the evening.

8) Rihanna’s power-packed Super Bowl pregnancy reveal (2023)

Rihanna's long-awaited return to the stage at the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show became an instant viral moment. It wasn’t just her electrifying performance that grabbed attention—it was also her surprise pregnancy reveal. Dressed in a red jumpsuit and gently cradling her baby bump, she sparked social media speculation. Just minutes after the show ended, her rep confirmed that she was expecting her second child.

The moment was noted for its effortless coolness, and showed that Rihanna could turn even a major sports event into a personal and a cultural phenomenon.

9) Pedro Pascal & Bella Ramsey’s adorable SAG awards moment (2024)

At the 2024 SAG Awards, The Last of Us stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey stole the spotlight with their undeniable friendship. Presenting on stage, Pascal was a gentleman, allowing Ramsey to take the lead and showcasing their real-life camaraderie.

Seconds after his flustered acceptance for Best Actor in a Drama Series—when he admitted he might have had a little too much to drink—Twitter fell in love with him even more. When something becomes a meme, you can be sure it has only cemented Pascal's reputation as Tinseltown's Internet Daddy.

10) John Travolta’s ‘Adele Dazeem’ Blunder (Oscars 2014)

John Travolta confidently introduced Idina Menzel’s performance of Let It Go, but he mispronounced her name as 'Adele Dazeem.' The hilarious and monumental flub became an instant internet sensation, spawning countless memes, auto-tunes, and even an A-list parody account impersonating 'Adele Dazeem.'

Menzel later joked about it, and at the following year's Oscars, she got her revenge by introducing Travolta as 'Glom Gazingo.' The blunder remains one of the most notorious mispronunciations in awards show history—a reminder that even Hollywood greats aren't immune to slip-ups.