‘In birthday suit’ at Oscars: John Cena announces Best Costume Design award without a costume!

Team Udayavani, Mar 11, 2024, 9:58 AM IST

During the Oscars night on Sunday, renowned American actor and professional wrestler, John Cena, left the audience at the Dolby Theatre and viewers worldwide in astonishment as he appeared on stage naked to present the Oscar for Best Costume Design.

The host for the night Jimmy Kimmel, introduced Cena as one of the presenters, teasing the possibility of a naked appearance. Kimmel provocatively asked the audience, “Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?”

Soon after, Cena took the stage wearing nothing but a large envelope strategically covering his private parts, generating laughter and surprise among the attendees. “Costumes, they are so important. Maybe the most important thing there is!” Cena said.

Variety website reported that Cena’s stunt paid homage to a memorable moment from 50 years ago at the 46th Academy Awards when a naked man dashed across the stage while David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor.

As the nominees were about to be announced, assistants swiftly came to his aid, providing him with an elaborate gown. Cena then proceeded to announce the winner of the category: Holly Waddington for “Poor Things.” Waddington emerged victorious in a competitive category that featured Jacqueline Durran for “Barbie,” Jacqueline West for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Janty Yates and Dave Crossman for “Napoleon,” and Ellen Mirojnick for “Oppenheimer.”

The video clip of Cena’s antics has gone viral, eliciting varied reactions worldwide.