Adrien Brody and Halle Berry revisited one of the most memorable – and controversial – Oscar moments of recent times, by staging a kiss on the red carpet of this year’s ceremony. In a clip shared on the academy’s social media, with the tagline “a reunion 22 years in the making”, Berry, who was due to present an award at this year’s ceremony, greeted Brody warmly before initiating a kiss. ‘“I had to pay him back,” Berry told Variety.
The scene was a reversal of the notorious moment during the 2003 Oscars ceremony when Brody, who had just become the youngest best actor winner for his performance in The Pianist, embraced Berry, the award’s presenter, and delivered an impromptu kiss on the lips.
The incident has prompted criticism in recent years, particularly in light of the rise of the #MeToo movement. Berry has spoken of her confusion over the incident, which came one year after her own best actress victory. “Because I was there the year before and I know the feeling of being out of your body, I just fucking went with it. But I was like: ‘What the fuck is going on right now?’” she told Andy Cohen, host of the TV series Watch What Happens Live, in 2017.
Brody, who received his second best actor nomination this year for his performance as László Tóth in the historical drama The Brutalist, has only discussed the incident in passing. “Nothing that I ever do or have done or would’ve done is ever done with the intention of making anyone feel bad,” he told Variety earlier this year.
Speaking to Variety after her “payback” kiss, Berry downplayed the original incident. “That was one hell of a night for him, and for me as well. To be a part of his moment … tonight I had to pay him back,” she told Variety. “I’ve seen him out at parties, but this is the first time since that night that I’ve seen him on the red carpet somewhere. He’s nominated this year. He deserved that.”
Read more about the 2025 Oscars:
Anora takes home best picture Oscar
Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison win best acting prizes
Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña win supporting awards
Anora’s Sean Baker wins for directing, editing and screenplay
