Jimmy Kimmel accused of harassing Malala Yousafzai with 'gross' question at the Oscars

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By Asiya Ali

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Jimmy Kimmel was called a "national disgrace" after his bizarre interaction with Malala Yousafzai during a segment at the 2023 Oscars.

The 25-year-old education activist attended the Academy Awards as an executive producer of Stranger at the Gate, a nominee for Best Documentary Short Film.

The Pakistani-born Nobel Peace Prize winner looked incredible in a silver-sequinned dress with a matching head scarf. She also wore an emerald flower ring from Santi Jewels.

Malala sat next to her husband Asser Malik during the live ceremony and was left visibly uncomfortable after being approached by the 55-year-old host who asked her a pressing question from a fan named Joanne.

Watch the awkward moment below:

The presenter read out the question from a fan, saying: "She asked, your work on human rights and education for women and children is an inspiration - as the youngest Nobel prize winner in history, do you think Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine?"

The question was referring to the absurd rumors of a feud between the two actors during the film premiere of Don't Worry Darling at the Venice Film Festival.

In response, the activist looked unsure and said: "I only talk about peace," to which a breezy Kimmel retorted: "You know what, that's why you're Malala and nobody else is."

Many people on social media were outraged by the question that was asked of the human rights advocate - who was shot at the age of 15 in 2012 for her opposition to the Taliban's restrictions on female education when she lived in Pakistan.

Two years after her near-death experience, she became the youngest person to win the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 and has continued to campaign for the academic freedoms of women and children in her home country.

Speaking about the strange segment at the Oscars, one user wrote: "Jimmy Kimmel is a national disgrace. This woman deserves better."

Another interjected: "Imagine being in the presence of the youngest-ever Nobel Prize winner and asking her about mindless internet gossip. How embarrassing."

A third commented: "To really reduce Malala’s presence and significance to a question about some stupid drama between two MAN is incredibly misogynistic and disrespectful… You're a joke @jimmykimmel."

A fourth remarked: "Cannot f***ing stand this like she's had assassination attempts on her for speaking about women and young girls' rights for yall to bring her and ask her about western pop culture stuff."

A fifth person shared: "This is so embarrassing. You get how many chances to ask Malala questions and this is what y’all pick. Gross."

Things got even more uncomfortable for the activist at the award ceremony when presenters brought out the Cocaine Bear - with someone dressed in a bear suit from Elizabeth Banks' film.

As the faux bear crawled down the aisles, it strangely disturbed her so the late-night host had to tell them to leave her alone, exclaiming: "Cocaine bear, leave Malala alone!" while she looked uneasy in her seat.

Well, it looks like Yousafzai had quite the night at the 2023 Oscars.

Featured image credit: Sipa US / Alamy