The 2025 Academy Awards took an unexpected turn when host Conan O’Brien made a bold joke about the ongoing Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud, referencing Lamar’s viral Super Bowl diss. As the crowd at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre gasped, O’Brien quickly followed up by saying, "Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up."
Conan O'Brien at the #Oscars: "Well, we're halfway through the show, which means it's time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile." pic.twitter.com/KmbX3QjnlM
— Variety (@Variety) March 3, 2025
The joke was a nod to Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, where the Compton rapper performed his hit "Not Like Us"—a track that took direct aim at Drake. During the performance, Lamar rapped, "Certified Lover Boy? Certified p*dophile!" in reference to Drake’s 2021 album.
The diss led to Drake filing a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, accusing them of defamation and harassment over the "false and malicious narrative" being pushed against him.
The Oscars moment quickly went viral, with social media divided over O’Brien’s joke. Some found it hilarious, while others thought it crossed the line. One X (formerly Twitter) user reacted, "A billion people just watched Conan O’Brien call Drake a p*dophile." Another added, "I didn’t know what to expect from the Oscars, but I did not expect Conan O’Brien to call Drake a p*dophile on live television."
Drake has now been called a pdfile on an Amazon platformed concert, at the Grammys, at the Super Bowl, & at the Oscar’s. With no victims coming forward & no accusations.
— moral minority (@my_luck3) March 3, 2025
A billion people just watched Conan O’Brien call Drake a pedophile
— Lolo (@LolOverruled) March 3, 2025
I didn’t know what to expect from the Oscars, but I did not expect Conan O’Brien to call Drake a pedophile on live television
— TylerCWhitmore (@TylerCWhitmore) March 3, 2025
However, some questioned why Drake was being mocked so openly compared to other figures in the industry. One user noted, "The fact that they’re treating Drake worse than Diddy when Diddy has real accusations is crazy."
the fact that they’re treating drake worse than diddy when diddy has real accusations is crazy .. https://t.co/OEXJYiI7ax
— ✰ (@crazycooch) March 3, 2025
Another echoed similar sentiments, writing, "Drake being used as a punchline for almost every live awards show is honestly so messed up. That man really made it to where people joke about p*dophilia so comfortably that they forget what institution they’re a part of."
Drake being used as a punchline for almost every live awards show/tv in general is honestly so fucked up. That man really made it to where ppl joke about pedophilia so comfortably that they forget what institution they’re apart of https://t.co/nr72D2uQ5k
— K_TheBeauty (@k_thebeauty) March 3, 2025
O’Brien’s joke wasn’t the only sharp remark of the night. He also took jabs at Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón, who faced backlash over resurfaced racist and Islamophobic tweets. While Gascón sat in the audience, O’Brien quipped, "Anora uses the ‘F-word’ 479 times—that’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist."
Reactions to O’Brien’s hosting style were mixed, with some praising him for bringing back edgy Oscars humor, while others criticized him for fueling controversies rather than celebrating the night’s winners.
Regardless of the debate, O’Brien’s first time hosting the Academy Awards ensured that the 2025 Oscars will be remembered for more than just the golden statues.
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