Adrien Brody recreates 'disgusting' Oscars act and somehow it's even worse

Adrien Brody drew criticism last year after performing what many viewers described as a “disgusting act” while accepting the Best Actor gong at the Academy Awards for his performance in The Brutalist.

Appearing at Sunday’s ceremony to present the prestigious accolade to this year’s Best Actor, Michael B. Jordan, the two-time winner of the esteemed award, made a jovial reference to that infamous moment again while presenting the prize.

As part of the presentation, Brody returned alongside the other three nominees from the 2025’s acting category to name his Best Actor successor. While on stage, The Pianist star poked fun at his seemingly interminable acceptance speech from 2025 by pretending to pull several pages from his pocket as if he were about to deliver another lengthy address.

The 'disgusting' act that had viewers dismayed

He also mimed tossing a piece of chewing gum into the audience— hilariously referencing the controversial moment from the year before. However, the joke didn’t end there. To viewers’ dismay, Brody then pretended to change his mind, putting the gum back in his mouth before swallowing it.

The moment quickly sparked reactions online, with many viewers calling it unpleasant to watch. One user wrote on social media: “i’m gonna be thinking about the gum adrien brody swallowed for the next 7 years that it’s in his body.” Another commented: “adrien brody swallowing that piece of gum was horrible.” While a third was left bemused: “Adrien Brody and chewing gum???”

After last year’s prize-giving, Brody and his partner, Georgina Chapman, spoke backstage on Live With Kelly and Mark about the original incident. Reflecting on it, Brody said: “I could’ve swallowed it, but I didn’t think about that. I had to get rid of it somehow.”

How did social media respond?

Although he made light of the incident, the comedic attempt was lost on many viewers, who failed to find the moment particularly amusing.

Some fans also criticised the show’s time management. One person posted: “so we have time for Adrien to joke about speaking for too long but no time for the actual winners’ speeches?”

The Oscars have long used music to cut off speeches that run over their allotted time, but it was especially noticeable this year. The team behind KPop Demon Hunters, winners of Best Original Song, reportedly tried to continue their speech even after their microphone was cut and the stage lights dimmed.

Commentators covering the event also questioned the pacing. During ITV’s live broadcast, Jonathan Ross noted that the ceremony might have had more room for winners’ speeches if fewer comedy segments had been included in the programme.

Featured Image. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images