Award shows are often celebrated for their glitz and glamour, showcasing the best talent in the entertainment industry. However, beneath the dazzling veneer of these events, there have been instances when the stars themselves have unexpectedly taken centre stage. From subtle jabs to outright shade-throwing, some celebrities have used award shows as their platform to express opinions, rivalries or even settle scores. Check out the times celebrities shaded other celebrities at award shows.
Will Smith and Chris Rock: At the 2022 Oscars, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, it initially seemed like a prank to the audience and everyone else. The incident originated from Rock mentioning Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. It escalated when Smith took offence to a joke about a G.I. Jane sequel and took matters into his own hands, literally. He walked onstage, uttering, “Keep my wife’s name out of your [expletive] mouth,” and delivered an unexpected slap to the comedian.
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Nicky Minaj and Miley Cyrus: At the 2015 MTV VMAs, Nicki Minaj, after receiving her award for ‘Best Hip Hop Video,’ directed a pointed question at Miley Cyrus. Minaj stated, “Back to this person who had a lot to say about me in the press the other day. Miley, what’s good?” Miley responded by claiming interviews can be misunderstood.
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Kanye West and Taylor Swift: Kanye West’s reputation took a hit at the 2009 MTV VMAs when he famously interrupted Taylor Swift during her ‘Best Video by a Female Artist’ acceptance speech, exclaiming, “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you. I’ma let you finish, but Beyoncé has one of the best videos of all time.” This unforgettable moment remains a prominent part of pop culture and VMA history.
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Micheal B. Jordan, Jonathan Majors and Jamie Lee Curtis : During the Oscars, Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors unintentionally threw some subtle shade at Jamie Lee Curtis and the Oscars. Their “Hey Auntie” comment, made in support of Angela Bassett, who lost the ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ conveyed their loyalty. The duo’s message, “Hey, auntie, we love you,” delivered while presenting the next award, subtly hinted at their disappointment over the outcome.
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Katy Perry and Britney Spears: In 2017, Katy Perry made a memorable, albeit low-key, joke on the Grammys red carpet. Sporting a striking blonde bob instead of her usual black hair, she was asked about the new look. Perry’s response was, “It’s the last colour in the spectrum that I can do. I’ve done all of them, and the only thing left to do is shave my head, which I’m really saving for a public breakdown. I’m down for that.” This humourous remark seemed to allude to Britney Spears’s highly publicized head-shaving incident.
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Taylor Swift and Harry Styles: During her 2013 VMA speech after winning ‘Best Female Video’ for ‘I Knew You Were Trouble,’ Taylor Swift discreetly threw some shade in the direction of her ex-boyfriend, Harry Styles. Without explicitly naming him, she thanked the individual who had inspired the song, leaving no doubt as to whom she was referring. The cameras captured One Direction’s reactions making it clear that there was history behind this moment, stemming from her brief relationship with Styles.
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Fifth Harmony and Camila Cabello: At the 2017 MTV VMAs, Fifth Harmony delivered a performance that threw shade without saying a word. Following Camila Cabello’s departure, the group initially appeared complete on stage with a mannequin representing Camila.
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Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and George Clooney: During the 2015 Golden Globes Awards, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler aimed to compliment Amal Clooney, the accomplished human rights lawyer, as they gave the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to her husband, George Clooney. Highlighting Amal’s impressive achievements, including her work on the Enron case, advisory role to Kofi Annan on Syria, and her position on a commission investigating war rule violations in the Gaza Strip, Fey humourously concluded, “So tonight, her husband is getting a lifetime achievement award.”
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Suge Knight and P Diddy: The ’90s hip-hop feud that resonated across coasts revolved around ‘Death Row Records’ and ‘Bad Boy Records,’ igniting the East Coast-West Coast rivalry. At the centre of this tumultuous clash were Suge Knight and Puff Daddy. The feud escalated dramatically when Suge Knight publicly dissed the founder of ‘Bad Boy Records’ during an acceptance speech. Suge took the stage, proclaiming, “Any aspiring artist who wants to shine and remain unburdened by executive producers meddling in videos and records, come to Death Row!”
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Reese Witherspoon and Kim Kardashian: Witherspoon didn’t hold back during the 2011 MTV Awards. While accepting the ‘Generation Award’ for her role in ‘Water for Elephants,’ she took a subtle dig at Kim Kardashian and other reality stars. She remarked, “I get it, girls, that it’s cool to be a bad girl. But it is possible to make it in Hollywood without doing a reality show.” She continued, “When I came up in this business if you made a s*x tape, you were embarrassed, and you hid it under your bed.” She added, “And if you took naked pictures of yourself on your cellphone, you hide your face, people! Hide your face!”
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-Britney Jones