The aftermath of Will Smith's slap on Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony unveiled another uncomfortable incident, this time involving co-host Amy Schumer and nominee Kirsten Dunst.
As the controversy surrounding the boundaries of humor and "roasting" intensified, Schumer's prank on Dunst took center stage, drawing attention on social media.
During the ceremony, Schumer engaged in a monologue about the various roles involved in presenting the Oscars. She jokingly explained the responsibilities of "seat warmers," individuals not nominated but invited to fill seats.
To illustrate, she targeted Kirsten Dunst, seated next to her partner Jesse Plemons, also a nominee. Schumer playfully asked Dunst to vacate her seat, creating a moment of embarrassment amid laughter from the audience.
Dunst, visibly uncomfortable, complied with Schumer's request and stood near the host and Plemons, out of the camera frame. Schumer continued the act, humorously commenting on Plemons' role in "The Power of the Dog." Despite Plemons clarifying his marriage to Dunst, Schumer persisted with playful banter, referring to Dunst as a "seat warmer."
Social media quickly labeled the incident as "humiliation" for Dunst, prompting Schumer to provide her perspective. The comedian explained that the joke was prearranged with Dunst's involvement, emphasizing the actress's exceptional performance in making it believable. Schumer expressed her appreciation for Dunst and clarified that she would never intend to disrespect her, addressing the situation on Instagram.
Schumer's prank occurred in the tense atmosphere following the altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock. The incident involving Smith's unexpected slap and subsequent emotional response garnered widespread attention, prompting an Academy statement disapproving of violence and an announced investigation. Smith later issued an apology, acknowledging the gravity of his actions in a statement shared on his Instagram account. The juxtaposition of these incidents contributed to a dramatic and memorable Oscars ceremony.
