This Happened - February 26: Oscars Mix-Up
During the 89th Academy Awards ceremony on this day in 2017 , presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced "La La Land" as the winner of the Best Picture award instead of the actual winner "Moonlight."
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How did the Oscars mix-up happen?
The mistake happened when Beatty and Dunaway were given the wrong envelope for the Best Picture award. The accounting firm responsible for handling the Oscars envelopes, PricewaterhouseCoopers, later issued an apology for the error.
What was the reaction to the Oscars mix-up?
The mistake caused confusion and shock among the audience and those watching the ceremony live on television. The "La La Land" producers were already on stage accepting the award when the mistake was revealed and "Moonlight" was declared the true winner.
Was any action taken in response to the Oscars mix-up?
Yes, in response to the mistake, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced several changes to its voting process and procedures, including a new system for handling and distributing the winning envelopes. The firm responsible for the mistake, PricewaterhouseCoopers, was also replaced by a new accounting firm for the 2018 Oscars.
