Adrien Brody wins second Oscar—but one moment steals the spotlight

Adrien Brody secured his second Academy Award on Sunday, winning Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist. But instead of just celebrating his achievement, fans quickly focused on an unexpected and “disgusting” moment—his gum-throwing incident.

Adrien Brody, 51, made history in 2003 as the youngest winner of the Best Actor Oscar for The Pianist. More than two decades later, he claimed another victory, this time for his portrayal of Hungarian Jewish architect László Toth in The Brutalist. The film, directed by Brady Corbet, follows Toth’s struggles as an immigrant in post-World War II America, drawing parallels to Brody’s past work in The Pianist.

Despite early success, Brody’s career took an unconventional path compared to peers like Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, who consistently landed blockbuster roles. Speaking to Variety, Brody once reflected on his struggles, saying, “I’ve had to prove that the leading man can be unusual and unique.”

With The Brutalist, Brody reaffirmed his place in Hollywood’s elite, joining a prestigious group of actors with multiple Oscar wins, including Marlon Brando, Tom Hanks, and Anthony Hopkins.

A speech that defied the clock

During his acceptance speech at the Dolby Theatre, Brody expressed deep gratitude for his career and the opportunities he’s had. However, his speech ran significantly over time.

Winners were given 45 seconds, but Brody spoke for over five minutes, refusing to be played off. When the orchestra started playing, he firmly said, “Please, turn the music off. I will wrap up. I will not be egregious.”

He then used the moment to address serious themes: “I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression, of antisemitism and racism… I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world.”

His heartfelt words resonated with many, but it was something far more trivial that set social media ablaze.

The gum-throwing incident that stole the show

As Brody walked up to accept his award, cameras caught an unexpected moment—he casually spat out his chewing gum, tossing it at his partner, Georgina Chapman. The move didn’t go unnoticed, and social media erupted.

One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Adrien Brody throwing gum at his wife and then trying to give a moving speech is somehow worse than both??”

Another joked, “Adrien Brody’s wife just won the award for Best Supportive Significant Other. Her statuette? A wad of chewed gum.”

Some fans brushed it off as a minor, humorous moment, while others called it “disgusting” and “disrespectful.”

A night to remember—for better or worse

Despite the controversy, Brody’s win cements his legacy as a talented actor capable of deeply moving performances. However, in an age where every moment is scrutinized online, even the smallest slip-up can become the night’s biggest talking point.

What do you think—was the gum toss a harmless act or an Oscar-worthy faux pas? Let us know in the comments!