Actor Rob Lowe has opened up about one of the most infamous moments in Oscars history, his bizarre 1989 Academy Awards performance, and admitted that he was actually relieved when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the 2022 ceremony.Speaking on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live on Thursday, Lowe said he was “the only person happy” when Smith walked onto the Oscars stage and slapped Rock, because he believed the incident would finally take the spotlight away from his own long-running awards show controversy.“When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, I was the only person happy. Because I was like, ‘Oh, good. So now that’s the worst moment in Oscar history,’” Lowe said.“But it turns out not really. Turns out I still am dragged, dragged every year.”
Rob Lowe jokes that his Oscars blunder still haunts him
Lowe, 62, went on to joke that his infamous performance continues to be referenced whenever another awards show goes wrong.“This year even, I guess some people didn’t love some of the Emmys and they were like, ‘At least it wasn’t Rob.’ It’s like, guys, there should be a statute of limitations,” he said.The actor was referring to the opening number at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989, which he himself described as “the worst opening ever.”The performance saw Lowe perform an extended musical routine with actress Eileen Bowman, who appeared dressed as Disney’s Snow White. The duo sang altered versions of popular songs, including a parody of “Proud Mary” featuring the line, “rollin’, rollin’, keep the cameras rollin’.”The unusual performance was widely criticised and subsequently became one of the most notorious moments in Oscars history.
1989 Oscars performance sparked backlash
The fallout went beyond criticism from viewers and entertainment circles. Several prominent Hollywood figures, including then-former Academy President Gregory Peck, reportedly signed a letter condemning the ceremony.Disney also sued over the unauthorised use of its Snow White character.The controversy was particularly damaging for producer Allan Carr, who was behind that year’s Academy Awards ceremony and whose Hollywood career was reportedly severely affected by the backlash.For years, the 1989 opening remained a reference point whenever discussions turned to the most awkward or controversial moments in Oscars history.
Will Smith’s Oscars slap became another defining moment
That changed in 2022, when Will Smith shocked viewers around the world by walking onto the Oscars stage and slapping Chris Rock, who was presenting the Best Documentary Feature award.Rock had made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, referencing the film G.I. Jane and saying, “‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it.”Pinkett Smith, who has spoken publicly about living with alopecia, had shaved her head.Smith subsequently walked onto the stage and struck Rock before returning to his seat. He then shouted at the comedian, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth.”The incident immediately became one of the most talked-about moments in Academy Awards history.Following the altercation, Smith was barred from attending Academy events, including the Oscars, for 10 years. The actor apologised to Rock the following day, writing on social media, “I was out of line and I was wrong.”
