Award shows have been a staple of popular culture for decades, and throughout the years, there have been countless memorable moments that have left a lasting impact on audiences. Here are seven of the most iconic and memorable moments in award show history:
The Moonwalk – In 1983, Michael Jackson performed his iconic moonwalk during his performance of “Billie Jean” at the Motown 25th anniversary special. This electrifying performance introduced the moonwalk to the world and cemented Jackson’s status as the King of Pop.
Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” – Madonna’s performance of “Like a Virgin” at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards was both iconic and controversial. Wearing a wedding dress and singing about lost love, Madonna’s performance was a defining moment in her career and solidified her status as a pop culture icon.
Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift – The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards will forever be remembered for Kanye West’s infamous interruption of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech. As Swift was accepting the award for Best Female Video, West stormed the stage and famously declared that Beyonce should have won the award instead. The incident sparked widespread outrage and cemented West’s reputation as a troublemaker.
Oprah’s acceptance speech – In 2018, Oprah Winfrey made history as the first black woman to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role in “The Color Purple.” In her acceptance speech, Oprah gave a powerful and inspiring speech that touched on issues of race and gender, making it one of the most memorable moments in award show history.
Ellen’s star-studded selfie – At the 2014 Academy Awards, host Ellen DeGeneres took a star-studded selfie that quickly became the most retweeted tweet of all time. The photo, which featured a group of A-list celebrities including Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Meryl Streep, was taken during the telecast and quickly went viral.
Britney Spears’ comeback performance – In 2007, Britney Spears made her highly anticipated return to the spotlight with a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. After a highly publicized personal meltdown, Spears took the stage and delivered a solid performance of her hit single “Gimme More,” marking a comeback for the pop star.
The Oscars mix-up – The 2017 Academy Awards will forever be remembered for the shocking mix-up that occurred during the announcement of the Best Picture winner. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were supposed to present the award to “La La Land,” but due to a miscommunication, they instead announced “Moonlight” as the winner. The mix-up, which was later revealed to be caused by the wrong envelope being given to Beatty and Dunaway, was a historic moment in award show history.
These iconic and memorable moments have left a lasting impact on audiences and have helped to shape the world of award shows as we know it today. From Michael Jackson’s moonwalk to Oprah’s inspiring acceptance speech, these moments will be remembered for years to come.