Once we arrived at the end of the near four-hour Oscars telecast, I thought there weren’t many surprises left in store, especially after La La Land was announced as Best Picture winner. But as the film’s producers made their acceptance speeches, confusion erupted onstage. It turns out La La Land was mistakenly named the winner in this category when the actual winner was Moonlight.
I know what you’re thinking. How did this happen? Well, it seems presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong envelope. The one they received read, “Emma Stone, La La Land.” So Dunaway announced La La Land as the Best Picture winner, although the top prize was meant for Moonlight.
Eventually, host Jimmy Kimmel intervened, and the Moonlight cast and crew came on stage to accept their award.
Watching the #Oscars producers slowly tell the #LaLaLand team they didn’t win Best Picture is WILD. Keep your eyes on the background pic.twitter.com/3TRUWZAMjH
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 27, 2017
Although this was an honest mistake, it was absolutely heartbreaking to watch. Maybe the Academy will honor Kimmel’s suggestion and let both films take home statues?