During the recent Oscars ceremony, there was a buzz surrounding Messi the dog, a standout from Justine Triet's film 'Anatomy of a Fall.' Despite initial rumors suggesting Messi would not be in attendance, the beloved 7-year-old border collie made a surprise appearance early in the show, seated in a prime aisle spot near the stage.
However, it was later revealed that some movie magic was at play. An Associated Press photographer shared that Messi was strategically positioned for a 'cut in' reaction shot about 45 minutes before the show began. Additionally, a crew member was involved in creating the illusion of clapping paws during the broadcast.
While Messi's presence added a delightful touch to the event, it appeared that the dog did not stay for the entire duration of the show. Speculation arose that Messi may have opted to leave early to enjoy a more relaxed viewing experience at a party. Despite not being a nominee, Messi has been a prominent figure throughout the awards season, charming audiences at various events such as the nominees luncheon and mingling with celebrities like Ryan Gosling and Billie Eilish. Notably, Messi was honored with the Palm Dog at the Cannes Film Festival in the previous year.
Requests for comments from Messi's representative regarding the dog's Oscars appearance were not immediately addressed.
