Hilarious Awards Show Audience Reactions
Sometimes the best part of an awards show isn’t the show itself — it’s how the audience reacts to the night’s events.
Plenty of stars have been caught on camera making a less-than-gracious loser’s face or candidly expressing their distaste for a particular performer or joke and the meme-worthy moments have lived on for ages in social media history.
At the 2020 Grammy Awards, Billie Eilish became the youngest person to ever win the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and could hardly contain her surprise when her name was announced. Surrounded by family and friends in the audience, the “Bad Guy” singer placed her hands over her mouth in full shock.
A few weeks later, she gave viewers another top-notch reaction GIF when she was caught cringing as Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig sang off-key at the 92nd annual Academy Awards.
One year later, awards shows were forced to make some major adjustments to their routine productions when the coronavirus pandemic put Hollywood on pause. The 78th Golden Globe Awards took place nearly two months later than usual and hardly had any audience members attending in person as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted from two separate venues. However, the unique circumstances allowed fans to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars in their element at home.
Jason Sudeikis stole the show via Zoom while Norman Lear thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for honoring him with the Carol Burnett Award in February 2020. The Ted Lasso star was hooked on Lear’s every word as he tuned in virtually wearing a tie-dyed sweatshirt.
When the All in the Family creator acknowledged that he was getting close to 99, Sudeikis couldn’t contain his surprise. At the bottom corner of the screen, he was caught with his mouth agape, wowed by Lear’s long run in Hollywood.
The We’re the Millers actor later accepted his own award that night for Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy — but his speech wasn’t as well-rehearsed as Lear’s. Sudeikis earned a friendly “wrap it up” gesture from fellow nominee Don Cheadle as he struggled to express his gratitude to the HFPA.
“Hey, that’s just Kansas City love,” Sudeikis joked of the moment during a virtual press conference after his Golden Globes win. “If anyone was going to tell me … he knew I’d listen to him. That’s all that is. A lot of people don’t know that he’s an excellent stage manager as well as an American acting icon. The guy’s got chops, you know?”
Scroll down to see some of the most hilarious awards show reactions!
Kaluuya’s mom, Damalie Namusoke, and sister looked mortified after the actor mentioned his parents' sex life during his best supporting actor acceptance speech.
“My mom met my dad, they had sex! It’s amazing! Do you know what I’m saying? I’m here! I’m so happy to be alive so I’m gonna celebrate that tonight,” the Get Out actor said during the broadcast. His sister hid her embarrassment by shielding her face with her hands while Namusoke couldn’t believe what she’d heard.
“What is he talking about?” she asked.
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While Lear accepted the prestigious Carol Burnett Award in February 2021, the Saturday Night Live alum listened endearingly to the Hollywood legend's historic speech. When Lear noted that he was "close to 99," the Sudeikis was shocked. "He's 99? Wow," he mouthed while tuning in from home.
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The Canadian actor was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role for his work in HBO's The Undoing and fans couldn't help but notice that he looked less-than-thrilled to spend his night on Zoom. "Donald Sutherland, projecting major ‘Am I done yet?’ vibes," one fan tweeted as the Hunger Games actor sat stoically in a black tuxedo.
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The Minari director celebrated the film's Best Motion Picture — Foreign Language win from home and his 7-year-old daughter's reaction stole the show. "I prayed! I prayed!" she exclaimed while giving her award-winning father a big hug.
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The “Bad Guy” singer was caught scrunching her face in the audience at the 92nd Academy Awards while Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig hilariously sang off-key on stage.
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In January 2020, Billie Eilish became the youngest person to ever win the Grammy Award for Song of the Year — and could hardly contain her excitement when her name was announced. "This is to all of the kids who are making music in their bedrooms today. You're going to get one of these," she said onstage alongside her brother, Finneas O'Connell.
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Tyler, the Creator took home the win for Best Rap Album in January 2020 and had his no. 1 fan in the audience to celebrate his major accomplishment: his mom. While accepting his award, the rapper made sure to give his mother a special shout-out for doing a "great job" helping him grow over the years and for "putting up with my annoying, hyperactive energy."
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As Ariana Grande powered through a show-stopping medley, her mother, Joan Grande, watched from the audience like a true stage mom. Joan cheered on her daughter as she tweaked the "Thank U, Next" lyrics to honor her dad, Edward Butera. "One day I’ll walk down the aisle / holding hands with my mama / I’ll be thanking my dad / ’cause he's really awesome."
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It’s hard to argue exactly who stole the show during the 26th annual SAG Awards opening. Toward the end of Eugene Levy and Dan Levy’s bit, Dan informed his dad and Schitt’s Creek costar that they went over their time limit. “You used up so much time they’re telling us they had to cut Tom Hanks,” the actor informed Eugene.
“Well, that’s all right. I know Tom,” the American Pie actor replied. “He’s a good guy. He’ll take it well.”
When the camera cut over to the A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood star, he delivered a deadpan stare, causing the audience to erupt with laughter.
During his acceptance speech for Male Actor in a Supporting Role, Brad Pitt packed on the self-deprecating humor. He joked that playing Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood … wasn’t quite a stretch for him. “Let’s be honest. It was a difficult part,” he said, “a guy who gets high, takes his shirt off and doesn’t get on with his wife.” The best reaction of all? His ex-wife Jennifer Aniston clapping in the audience.
The It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood star looked askance when 2020 Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais called out political acceptance speeches and told the attendees that they’re “in no position to lecture the public about anything.”
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The After star was in shock after the film took home the award for Drama Movie of 2019 at the People’s Choice Awards.
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The singer was thrilled for her boyfriend, Blake Shelton, when he won Country Artist of 2019 at the People’s Choice Awards.
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Pink and Carey Hart’s toddler was living his best life at the 2019 People’s Choice Awards.
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The “Beautiful Crazy” crooner was shook when he won Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2019 CMAs.
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The two musicians couldn’t contain their excitement when Selena Gomez hit the stage at the 2019 AMAs.
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Post Malone was clearly happy to be at the 2019 AMAs.
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The Single Parents actor was shook when Kesha surprised fans with a performance of her 2009 hit “TiK ToK” at the 2019 AMAs.
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The “You Need to Calm Down” songstress couldn’t calm down while watching Lil Nas X sing “Panini.”
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Complete with a bottle of tequila, the rapper was living her best life in the crowd.
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The “Señorita” singer got cheeky while cheering for bestie Swift at the opening of the show.
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Along with husband Joe Jonas and brother-in-law Nick Jonas, the Game of Thrones star made headlines for cheering for Cabello and Shawn Mendes to kiss during their performance.
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No one was more shocked than the “Space Cowboy” singer when she was announced as the Album of the Year winner. Musgraves could be seen mouthing “what” repeatedly before making her way to the stage.
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The British singer was pleasantly surprised when host Alicia Keys performed a cover of her hit “Boo’d Up.”
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The Migos rapper was so impressed with wife Cardi B during her performance, that he was seen seductively biting his lip and sticking out his tongue.
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The Mom star lived her best life during Queen’s performance of “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” at the 2019 Oscars.
Emma Stone showered the shocked actress with love after she won Best Actress for The Favourite at the 2019 Oscars.
The actor couldn’t hide his shock after he lost Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, to James Franco at 2018 the Golden Globes.
The This Is Us star’s moment also came during Glenn Weiss’ 2018 proposal. Brown could be seen standing behind the couple with a look of awe while holding Weiss’ Emmy award for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special.
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Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 6-year-old daughter accompanied the talented two to the music award show, and her funniest reaction wasn't to a performance but rather her parents. Blue was spotted gesturing Jay and Bey to stop clapping mid-show with a very serious look on her face — and Twitter had a field day with the hilarious moment.
The "All of Me" singer and his model wife couldn't contain their laughter after host James Corden handed Jerry Seinfeld and Jessica Seinfeld a “consolation puppy" following the actor's loss in the Best Comedy Album category.
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The show's first-ever host, Kristen Bell, detailed how she got over her pre-show nerves, and when she mentioned the Office alum's name, he quickly spit out his drink, turned to the camera and gave a thumbs up, which fans immediately turned into a GIF.
While the “So What” singer looked like she was in pain during Christina Aguilera’s Whitney Houston tribute at the 2017 AMAs, she denied not enjoying the performance on Twitter after the show. “Christina f—king killed it tonight for one of our favorite singers ever,” Pink tweeted. “This [is] about Whitney, and I am in awe of Christina’s talent. Show the clip where I’m in tears, you negative Nancys.”
Their faces say it all! The BFFs — plus Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Meryl Streep and more — were left stunned in the front row when it was revealed that La La Land was accidentally named the winner of Best Picture. The trophy eventually went to Moonlight.
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The "Praying" songstress looked less than enthused as she took a seat on the ground of The Forum in Los Angeles and posted that her seat was "lost" alongside a hilarious Instagram photo.
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This was epic! Lady Gaga nabbed a Golden Globe at the 73rd annual awards show in January 2016, but this moment overshadowed her actual win. While making her way to the stage, the American Horror Story: Hotel actress brushed passed fellow winner Leonardo DiCaprio, who reacted by jumping slightly and making a face. The moment immediately went viral, and DiCaprio eventually had to address his reaction on the record.
Shade or what? Tori Kelly dominated headlines after her seemingly unimpressed reaction to Taylor Swift's Album of the Year speech at the 2016 Grammys went viral. As Swift took to the stage, Best New Artist nominee Kelly sat back with her arms crossed — complete with an obvious pout — while other audience members appeared inspired by the two-time Album of the Year winner's remarks.
The actor couldn’t help but smile after Fey told Poehler that she would choose him over Colin Farrell during a game of “Who’d You Rather” at the 2015 Golden Globes.
The legendary comedian looked too cute after Chris Evans offered to help her to the stage at the 2015 People’s Choice Awards.
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The Cravings cookbook author went viral for her grimacing crying face after her husband won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2015. "Sorry I don't practice my cry face okay," she tweeted at the time. "It's been 5 minutes and I'm a meme."
Stop it Ye, said Jay and Bey! Jay-Z and Beyoncé did not know what to expect from Kanye West when he ran up to the stage after Beck won Album of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2015 — and their expressions said it all. As West (in a repeat of his infamous 2009 MTV VMAs moment with Taylor Swift) bombarded Beck, Jay Z's expression went from shocked to horrified as he shook his head in disagreement. Beyonce, meanwhile, mouthed: "No, Kanye, No!"
VMAs host Cyrus looked stunned as she was ripped onstage by Nicki Minaj during the show's live broadcast in August 2015. “And now... back to this bitch that had a lot to say about me in the press," Minaj told the star-studded audience as Cyrus' smile immediately waned. "Miley, what’s good?
Frozen solid. Miley Cyrus' parents were just as shocked as the 2015 VMAs host when she got slammed by Nicki Minaj during the live broadcast. MTV captured the singer's family on camera as the cringeworthy moment went down, and their eyes were wide open in utter disbelief.
Oddly... stoic. Christina Hendricks seemed less-than-enthused in the audience when her Mad Men costar Jon Hamm accepted his Emmy after eight tireless seasons of being nominated. The actress was captured keeping her cool and applauding a little too politely from her seat.
So blasé! George Clooney's wife hardly contained her boredom throughout the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2015. Cameras panned frequently to the human rights lawyer, who was captured cracking a slight smile.
The singer was less than impressed while watching Nicki Minaj perform “Anaconda” at the 2014 VMAs.
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Taylor Swift's surprised face is an awards show staple. Pretty much everyone has seen her open-mouthed shock at this point — but only those who watched the 2014 Grammys got to see this gem, which occurred when Album of the Year was announced toward the end of the show. Swift heard the "R" sound at the beginning of Random Access Memories and seemed, for a brief but unforgettable moment, to think that her album, Red, was the winner. She gasped — as did everyone around her.
The Zero Dark Thirty actress was shook after hosts Amy Poehler and Tina Fey joked about director Kathryn Bigelow’s marriage to James Cameron at the 2013 Golden Globes.
Silver Linings Playbook director David O. Russell was less than thrilled when his lead actress, Jennifer Lawrence, lost the 2013 Best Actress BAFTA to Amour star Emmanuelle Riva. After French actress Riva's name was announced, cameras panned to Lawrence, who was sitting with her director in the audience. While Lawrence managed a passable poker face, Russell couldn't hide his disapproval as he half-heartedly clapped for Riva (who was not in attendance).
Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell have a lot of fans, but Tommy Lee Jones apparently isn't one of them. The Lincoln actor was not amused when Wiig and Ferrell took the stage at the 2013 Golden Globes with a quirky skit that poked fun at one of his movies, Hope Springs, also starring Meryl Streep. As the duo joked at his expense, the camera cut to Jones, who appeared to be scowling. His expression quickly went viral, with some comparing him to the infamous "Grumpy Cat."
Jaw-dropping, indeed! Will Smith and kids Jaden and Willow couldn't hide their shock and awe when they were caught by an audience cam watching Lady Gaga's bizarre performance of "Applause" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25. The trio's mouths hung agape as Gaga opened the show with multiple costume changes -- including one with her head encased in a giant white cube.
Turn that frown upside down! Kacey Musgraves made waves in November 2013 when a camera panned to her unsmiling face during Miranda Lambert's speech for Best Female Vocalist at the Country Music Association Awards. (Musgraves was also up for the award but lost.) She later said, however, that she meant no ill will toward her competition; indeed, she and Lambert had collaborated in the past and hail from the same hometown. "Sometimes my face just looks that way," she explained to Giuliana Rancic.
Bored much? People couldn't stop talking about Miley Cyrus' raunchy duet with Robin Thicke at the 2013 Video Music Awards -- but Rihanna, for one, appeared utterly unimpressed by the sexed-up show. While others cringed or gasped or cheered, Rihanna sat stone-faced in her seat, blankly staring at the spectacle before her.
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Young Adult star Charlize Theron helped Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane kick off the 2013 Oscars by appearing in a pre-taped bit for his "We Saw Your Boobs" song. As MacFarlane called out real-life pal Theron and others (including Meryl Streep and Naomi Watts) for flashing their breasts onscreen, the actresses were shown looking visibly annoyed in the audience. Fortunately for him, those uncomfortable reactions were just for show, as both Theron and Watts were in on the joke the whole time.
James Earl Jones' reaction to losing the Lead Actor in a Play award at the 2012 Tonys went viral when a look of genuine shock and confusion came over him as the winner was announced. His "losing face" may have actually been his "winning face," though — what likely happened is that the Star Wars actor thought for a moment that he had won, since the actual winner, James Corden, shared his first name.
Love 'em or hate 'em, MTV awards shows are never boring. At the 2009 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, Calif., for example, Eminem caused a fuss when Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as his flamboyant alter ego Bruno, literally dropped in on the rapper from the ceiling, putting his bare butt smack dab in front of Eminem's face. The 8 Mile star stormed out of the event -- but his reaction was later revealed to be part of a planned stunt.
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"I'mma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best audience reactions of all time!" Kanye West's stage-rush during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for Best Female Video at the 2009 VMAs is one of the most infamous awards show moments in history. His announcement that Beyonce had been robbed of the honor left Swift speechless (in more ways than one) and Beyonce mortified (if a little flattered). "Well, I knew his intentions, and I knew he was standing up for art," Bey later said.
Lost in Translation star Bill Murray was too cool for school at the 2004 Oscars, where he was nominated for Best Actor along with Mystic River star (and eventual winner) Sean Penn. Murray made a big show of rolling his eyes when the camera showed him in the audience -- almost as if he didn't care about the award — but he later revealed to Charlie Rose that he was surprised he lost and had even planned his acceptance speech.
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