American professional wrestler and actor, John Cena created one of Oscars’ most memorable moments when he appeared naked on stage to present the award for best costume design.
The ceremony for the 96th Academy Awards was held on Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
During the event, the 46-year-old walked onto the stage completely nude, save for the presenter’s card, which he used to cover his genitalia.
The award show host, Jimmy Kimmel, had set up the bit by sharing a little bit of Oscars history.
Kimmel showed an old clip of a real streaker who interrupted the 1974 Oscars broadcast and then prompted the former WWE star to streak across the stage.
“Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?” Kimmel jokingly asked the audience after remembering the infamous moment.
That was when a shirtless Cena popped his head out from the corner of the stage.
“I changed my mind. I do not want to do the streaker bit,” Cena told Kimmel. “I just do not feel right about it. It is an elegant event, you know, you should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless joke.”
Kimmel said: ‘You wrestle naked, why not?’ as Cena said of his trademark ring attire: ‘I don’t wrestle naked, I wrestle in jorts!’
Cena walked sideways onto the stage with the envelope for Best Costume Design covering his genitals. He said, ‘Costumes – they are so important – maybe the most important thing there is.’
He acknowledged that he was unable to open the envelope, at which point Kimmel took over, there was a quick cut and he re-appeared wearing a curtain-like golden toga.
‘Poor Things’ designer Holly Waddington took home the award for best costume design.
