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Oscars outrage: What really happened in Best Picture gaffe

The showbiz world is in shock after watching the biggest blunder in Oscars history unfold - seeing La La Land wrongly announced as the 2017 Best Picture instead of rightful winner, Moonlight.

Actor Warren Beatty, on stage with Faye Dunnaway, says he was given an envelope containing the wrong card- meaning confusion reigned until "La La Land'' producer Jordan Horowitz stepped forward to correct the error.

The showbiz world is in shock after the biggest blunder in Oscars history - ''La La Land
The showbiz world is in shock after the biggest blunder in Oscars history - ''La La Land

"I'm sorry, no, there's a mistake," he told the stunned crowd, before turning to the cast of the rival film. "Moonlight, you guys won best picture," he told them. "This is not a joke. I'm afraid they read the wrong thing."

The accounting firm who has been responsible for counting the Oscar ballots for the past 83 years has since released a statement addressing the mix-up and extending its apologies to the nominees.

"We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture,” a statement from PricewaterhouseCoopers, read.

“The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred. We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation."

Warren initially said the mistake was because his card read 'Emma Stone- La La Land', but the Best Actress winner later disputed this version of events, saying she had held on to her card since winning that prize earlier.

"I... was holding my Best Actress in a Leading Role card that entire time," she told reporters backstage after the gaffe. "I don’t mean to start stuff, but whatever story that was, I had that card. So I’m not sure that happened.”

Moonlight was the actual winner. Source: Channel Nine
Moonlight was the actual winner. Source: Channel Nine

Warren explained it to the crowd himself, saying, "I want to tell you what happened.

"I opened the envelope. And it said Emma Stone, 'La La Land'. That's why I took such a long look at Faye and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny."

Footage of the incident shows him clearly looking at the envelope a second time, before mouthing to co-presenter Faye, 'it says Emma Stone'.

The mishap happened when Warren Beatty announced the wrong winner. Source: Getty
The mishap happened when Warren Beatty announced the wrong winner. Source: Getty

As the incident unfolds, Emma Stone is seen standing on stage receiving the news.

The actress appears to mouth the words, "Oh my god... we lost?".

As the camera zooms out to a long shot, Emma and the surrounding cast and crew appear to start to sidle offstage, before producer Hororwitz steps forward to come clean about the mistake.

La La Land producers addressing the crowd, just before learning their award didn't actually win. Source: Getty
La La Land producers addressing the crowd, just before learning their award didn't actually win. Source: Getty

While the gaffe was no doubt the biggest of the night, it wasn't the only upset at the Oscars this year.

Australia's Nicole Kidman missed out on winning the Best Supporting Actress gong at the 2017 Oscars on Sunday, while Mel Gibson failed to win the Directing category for his film Hacksaw Ridge.

Nicole, nominated for her portrayal of Sue Brierley in film Lion, lost to Viola Davis.

Meanwhile Hacksaw Ridge did manage some victories on the night, in the categories of Achievement in Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing, but it was Mel who personally missed out on the Director's Award, to La La Land's Damien Chazelle.

Nicole's nomination was one of six nominations for Australian flick Lion, and unfortunately Dev Patel also missed out on winning the Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of Saroo Brierley.

Nicole Kidman lost to Viola Davis for the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2017 Oscars. Source: Getty
Nicole Kidman lost to Viola Davis for the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2017 Oscars. Source: Getty
Mel Gibson missed out on winning the Directing Award for Hacksaw Ridge. Source: Getty
Mel Gibson missed out on winning the Directing Award for Hacksaw Ridge. Source: Getty

Nicole arrived at the Academy Awards with her husband Keith Urban, the pair happily posing for photos in front of the media wall.

Meanwhile Viola's emotional acceptance speech certainly moved audiences.

"You know, there’s one place where all the people with the greatest potential are gathered, and that’s the graveyard," she began her speech.

"People ask me all the time, 'what kind of story do you want to tell Viola?' And I say: exhume those bodies. . . I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession to celebrate what it means to live a life."

Viola Davis won the Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences. Source: Getty
Viola Davis won the Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences. Source: Getty
Nicole arrived at the event with her husband Keith Urban. Source: Getty
Nicole arrived at the event with her husband Keith Urban. Source: Getty

She continued: "It just so happened that this year we had an abundance of films that represented inclusion, which is something that we are, of course, very much a part of.

"This year’s slate of Oscar nominees highlights that, when given the opportunity, films that reflect the diversity of this country will shine.

"Nevertheless, one year does not make up for over 80 years of under-representation of all genders, sexual orientations, races, abilities and First Nation status. #OscarsSoWhite is about the inclusion of all marginalized communities, both in front of and behind the camera, throughout the entertainment industry."

Meanwhile winning the Best Actor Award on the night was Casey Affleck for his performance in Manchester By The Sea.

"One of the first people who taught me though act was Denzel Washington and I just met him tonight for the very first time. Thank you. And to all the other nominees who did great work, I'm proud to be in your company," the actor began his acceptance speech.

Casey Affleck won Best Actor for his performance in Manchester by the Sea. Source: Getty
Casey Affleck won Best Actor for his performance in Manchester by the Sea. Source: Getty

"You guys are very brave and I admire what you do. I'm only here, really, because of all the talents and good will of so many people, they are impossible to name. But most of all, Kenneth Lonergan, who made this part and without this part and without his writing, I wouldn't be here for sure. And, well, he directed it.

"Man, I wish I had something bigger and more meaningful to say but I'm just - I'm really proud to be a part of this community and look out at all of you and to have this whole year and I'm just dumbfounded that I'm included. It means a lot to me. Thank you also to Matt Damon for creating this opportunity."

The Best Actress award recipient was Emma Stone for her role in La La Land.

"Thank you so much to the Academy. To the women in this category, Natalie, Isobell, Meryl, Ruth, you were all so extraordinary and I look up to you and I admire you more than I can put into words," she began her acceptance speech.

"It has been the greatest honour just to stand alongside you. That is the greatest honour of all. To my mum, and my dad and my brother, Spencer, and my dad and my brother, Spencer, and my sole sister, Chrissy, and my whole family, I love you so much. "Thank you for everything.

Emma Stone won Best Actress for her role in La La Land. Source: Getty
Emma Stone won Best Actress for her role in La La Land. Source: Getty

"And to Doug Wald, who stood by me all these years and to holly and Michelle and Craig and PJ, and Greta and Bob, thank you so much. And I realise that a moment like this is a huge confluence of luck and opportunity.

"And so I want to thank Damien Chazelle for the opportunity to be part of a project that was so special and once in a lifetime. I'm so grateful to have been involved in this film. And thank you for your faith an your patience and such a wonderful experience."

The gracious actress also ensured she thanked her co-star Ryan Gosling.

She said: "And Ryan Gosling, thank you for making me laugh. And for always raising the bar. And for being the greatest partner on this crazy adventure. To our whole crew, everyone that put their hearts an souls into this film. I'm going to find you all individually and I'm going to thank you, all along with my friends who I love so much. I'm going to hug the hell out of you when the feeling re-enters my body."

2017 OSCARS WINNERS

Best Supporting Actor

Winner - Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)

Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water)

Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea)

Dev Patel (Lion)

Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals)

Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

A Man Called Ove

Star Trek Beyond

Winner - Suicide Squad

Achievement in Costume Design

Allied

Winner - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Florence Foster Jenkins

Jackie

La La Land

Best Documentary Feature

Fire at Sea

I Am Not Your Negro

Life Animated

Winner - O.J.: Made in America

13th

Achievement in Sound Editing

Winner - Arrival

Deepwater Horizon

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Sully

Achievement in Sound Mixing

Arrival

Winner - Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Best Supporting Actress

Winner - Viola Davis (Fences)

Naomie Harris (Moonlight)

Nicole Kidman* (Lion)

Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures)

Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea)

Best Foreign Language Film

Land of Mine

A Man Called Ove

Winner - The Salesman

Tanna

Toni Erdmann

Best Animated Short

Blind Vaysha

Borrowed Time

Pear Cider and Cigarettes

Pearl

Winner - Piper

Best Animated Feature

Kubo and the Two Strings

Moana

My Life as a Zucchini

The Red Turtle

Winner - Zootopia

Best Production Design

Arrival

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Hail, Caesar!

Winner - La La Land

Passengers

Achievement in Visual Effects

Deepwater Horizon

Doctor Strange

Winner - The Jungle Book

Kubo and the Two Strings

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Best Film Editing

Arrival

Winner - Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

La La Land

Moonlight

Best Documentary Short Subject

Extremis

4.1 Miles

Joe's Violin

Watani: My Homeland

Winner - The White Helmets

Best Live Action Short

Ennemis Entreniers

La Femme et le TGV

Silent Nights

Winner - Sing

Timecode

Cinematography

Arrival

Winner - La La Land

Lion

Moonlight

Silence

Best Original Score

Jackie

Winner- La La Land

Lion

Moonlight

Passengers

Best Original Song

Audition (La La Land)

Can't Stop the Feeling (Trolls)

Winner - City of Stars (La La Land)

The Empty Chair (Jim: The James Foley Story)

How Far I'll Go (Moana)

Best Original Screenplay

Hell or High Water

La La Land

The Lobster

Winner - Manchester by the Sea

20th Century Women

Best Adapted Screenplay

Arrival

Fences

Hidden Figures

Lion

Winner - Moonlight

Best Director

Denis Villeneuve (Arrival)

Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge)

'Winner - Damien Chazelle (La La Land)

Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea)

Barry Jenkins (Moonlight)

Best Actor

Winner - Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea)

Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge)

Ryan Gosling (La La Land)

Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic)

Denzel Washington (Fences)

Best Actress

Isabelle Huppert (Elle)

Ruth Negga (Loving)

Natalie Portman (Jackie)

Winner - Emma Stone (La La Land)

Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins)

Best Picture

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Winner - Moonlight

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