It’s our fifth favorite season of the year… awards show season! In the spirit of the season, we’re naming the top 10 most memorable moments in awards show history. From Britney’s comeback fail to Jodie Foster’s coming-out speech, we have it all!
1. Kanye’s Infamous Interruption
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
It was the interruption heard ‘round the world: “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you; imma let you finish, but…”
We already know that Beyoncé runs the world, but Kanye wanted to make sure we didn’t forget it. He hopped up on stage and stole Taylor’s spotlight after her win for Best Music Video to remind the world that it was Beyoncé who had “one of the best videos of all time.” People everywhere watched what looked like a baby bunny getting its heart torn out and stomped on as Kanye interrupted Taylor’s acceptance speech. Jesus, Yeezus.
2. Britney’s Comeback Fail
2007 MTV Video Music Awards
We were all rooting for Britney’s comeback, but watching her performance of “Gimme More” at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards was almost painful, and trust us, we didn’t want to see any more. We couldn’t tell if she forgot to hit the wardrobe room before she got onstage, or if that was really supposed to be her outfit. Either way, definitely not Brit’s best moment.
3. Jennifer Lawrence’s Fall
2013 Academy Awards
This girl even makes falling on live TV look good. As if we didn’t already love her enough, JLaw’s spill of pure excitement after winning Best Actress for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook made us love her even more. What’s even better is that she started her acceptance speech with, “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell, and that’s really embarrassing, but thank you.” This only made her more relatable and more adorable.
4. Miley Cyrus’s Stripper Pole Show
2009 Teen Choice Awards
It may not be a shocker seeing Miley on a stripper pole today, but in 2009 it was a Hannah Montana train wreck gone wrong. Millions of little girls watched their idol slide up and down a stripper pole in leather boots and booty shorts. If only we could go back in time and say, “You think this is bad? Wait until 2013.”
5. Jennifer Hudson Steps Back Into the Spotlight
2009 Grammy Awards
In perhaps one of the most touching moments from an awards show, Jennifer Hudson made her debut back in the spotlight after her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in the fall of 2008. Jennifer did a powerful, flawless performance of “You Pulled Me Through” on stage in her first appearance since the horrifying incident. The singer, whose performance was also serenaded by a choir, broke down in tears as she finished the song. This moving moment made awards show history.
6. Jacqueline Bisset Makes the Worst Speech Ever
2014 Golden Globe Awards
Although she was nominated as a “most promising newcomer” in 1969 and had five career nominations, Jacqueline Bisset never managed to snag an actual win until this year. The British actress finally won an award for Best Supporting Actress for her drama Dancing on the Edge at the 2014 Golden Globes, and a mess of an acceptance speech ensued. Her speech was compiled of bizarre rambled sentences and a few swear words thrown in here and there. The 69-year-old claimed that it wasn’t the open bar or even drugs that got to her, but it was just her nerves that had her “on a magic carpet” as she “floated down the aisle.” She also claimed that she couldn’t remember anything she said during her speech. Those must’ve been some pretty intense “nerves”…
7. Jodi Foster’s Coming-Out Speech
2013 Golden Globe Awards
While accepting her Cecil B. Demille award at the 2013 Golden Globes, Jodi Foster ended years of media speculation when she came out of the closet as a lesbian. At 50, it was heartwarming how coy Foster was about the whole affair. She started her speech by saying, “While I’m here being all confessional… I just have the sudden urge to say something I’ve never really been able to air in public. A declaration that I’m a little nervous about.” The actress was so well-mannered about addressing her personal life that it reminded us why she is so highly respected in Hollywood.
8. Angelina Jolie’s Brotherly Love
2000 Academy Awards
Angelina has always been a little on the crazy side, but her super candid and weird act of love with her brother at the 2000 Academy Awards left us feeling like she may occasionally dip her toes in the incest pool. When her big win for her role in Girl, Interrupted was announced, Angie accepted her award on stage and gushed about how in love she was with her brother, James Haven. We should probably mention that she made out with him on the red carpet before the awards show. Alright, Angie; that’s not edgy, that’s just weird.
9. Miguel’s Crotch-in-the-Face Performance
2013 Billboard Music Awards
Miguel tried to make an epic performance that would go down in history at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, and he did, but not in the way he was hoping. Apparently his aerobic skills aren’t as boundless as his singing skills. In his performance, he jumped in the air, giving us a set of ill-formed splits as he soared over the crowd and landed crotch-first on the face of a young female fan. Miguel surely gave a “balls to the wall” performance.
10. Melissa Etheridge Shows off Her Fight Against Cancer
2005 Grammy Awards
After being diagnosed with breast cancer and beginning her treatments, Melissa Etheridge made her first appearance with her new bald head at the 2005 Grammy Awards. The singer had a powerful and moving performance with Joss Stone, singing Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the nation watching this moment as Melissa showcased her battle for everyone to see.