Adrien Brody criticized for long Oscars speech after tossing gum at girlfriend

Adrien Brody’s acceptance speech at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, sparked criticism from viewers for its length and unconventional moments.

The 51-year-old actor won Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, marking his second win in the category after his 2003 victory for The Pianist.

As Brody took the stage at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, he made an unusual entrance by spitting out his chewing gum and tossing it toward his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, before beginning his speech. 

When the orchestra cued him to wrap up, he insisted, “Turn the music off,” and continued speaking. “I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief,” he remarked—though his speech lasted significantly longer.

Despite his intention to keep it short, Brody’s speech extended well beyond expectations, drawing a wave of reactions online. 

Many viewers called his conduct “self-indulgent,” with some joking that his speech was longer than The Brutalist itself. 

One viewer quipped, “Adrien Brody’s speech is gonna have an intermission,” while another commented, “We as a nation must agree to never honour Adrien Brody’s acting abilities again.”

During his speech, Brody reflected on his career, addressing the challenges of acting and touching on issues of racism and antisemitism. “Acting is a very fragile profession. It looks very glamorous, and in certain moments it is, but it can all go away,” he stated.

His speech was one of several headline-making moments at the 97th Academy Awards, which also saw Anora dominate the night with multiple wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.