Emma Stone was just as confused as viewers nationwide when Oscar presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced La La Land the night’s best picture winner, before realizing that Moonlight had actually won.
Backstage after the show, during which she took home the award for best actress, Stone told reporters that she was happy for the Moonlight cast despite the flub.
“I f—ing love Moonlight,” she said. “Of course it was an amazing thing to hear them say La La Land — we would have loved to win best picture, but we’re so happy for Moonlight. I think it’s one of the best films of all time, so I was pretty beside myself.”
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Beatty explained onstage that the mess-up had been caused by the pair receiving the wrong envelope. He clarified that he had been handed the envelope for best actress, rather than best picture. “I opened the envelope and it said ‘Emma Stone, La La Land.’ That’s why I looked at Faye, and at you. I wasn’t trying to be funny,” he admitted.
On Beatty’s explanation, Stone noted, “I also was holding my best actress in a leading role card that entire time. I don’t mean to start stuff, but whatever story that was … I had that card.”
Stone’s stunned reaction to the mishap was captured by viewers on Twitter.
When Emma Stone realizes the twist ending #Oscars #BestPicture pic.twitter.com/nkm1nDLnmE
— Marion Maitland (@nadatostada) February 27, 2017
During a post-show interview with ABC, she added, “As far as I’m concerned, I think this is the coolest outcome ever. But the process of getting there was a trip.”
The Academy appeared to have handed two best actress envelopes to presenters Leonardo DiCaprio (who presented the best actress category) and Beatty and Dunaway. A close-up of the envelope in Dunaway’s hand shows it was indeed for actress in a leading role.
Though it didn’t win best picture, La La Land walked away with six Oscar wins for best actress, directing, original score, original song, production design and cinematography.
The 89th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday.
