The Oscars took an unexpected turn this year when John Cena, the 46-year-old former wrestler turned actor, decided to make a bold entry by going nearly naked while presenting the award for Best Costume Design. The moment meant to echo a famous incident from the 1974 Oscars involving a streaker, quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the night.
The skit began with host Jimmy Kimmel reminiscing about the 47th Academy Awards, setting the stage for Cena’s surprising entrance. Emerging from behind the set, Cena initially expressed his reluctance to continue with the planned streaker joke, stating, “I changed my mind. I don’t want to do the streaker bit. It’s an elegant event, you know, you should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless joke.”
Despite Kimmel’s efforts to reassure him that the act was intended to be humorous, Cena humorously protested, “The male body is not a joke,” before ultimately deciding to go through with the bit. In a move that shocked and amused the audience, Cena proceeded to present the award while cleverly using an envelope to cover himself, later donning a golden toga to complete the presentation, which he gave to the film “Poor Things.”
The stunt quickly sparked a frenzy on social media, with reactions ranging from laughter and admiration for Cena’s comedic timing to criticism and disapproval of the joke’s appropriateness for the Oscar’s prestigious setting. Fans of Cena, particularly noting his role in “Barbie,” shared their amusement and support, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) commenting, “Bro I could not. I was cracking up,” while others played along with playful jests about Cena’s visibility and the daring nature of the stunt.
However, not all viewers found the act to be in good taste. Some expressed their dissatisfaction openly online, with comments like “Not a good joke” and disapproving GIFs capturing the sentiment of those who felt the joke fell flat or was inappropriate for the occasion.
As the Oscars continue to be a platform for memorable moments, Cena’s controversial stunt has certainly etched its place in the ceremony’s history, sparking debates about humor, appropriateness, and the ever-evolving nature of live television. Whether celebrated or criticized, Cena’s performance at the 2024 Oscars will undoubtedly remain a topic of conversation for both its shock value and its bold commentary on comedy and decorum.
