Adrien Brody Fires Back At Critics Defending Controversial Oscars Moment

Adrien Brody has responded to the backlash following his controversial gum-throwing moment during the 2025 Academy Awards.

The 51-year-old actor, who won his second Best Actor Oscar for "The Brutalist," shocked audiences when he removed his gum and tossed it to his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, while walking up to the stage to accept his award.

The incident quickly went viral, with viewers expressing their disgust on social media.

One user wrote, “Adrien Brody THROWING his gum at Georgina Chapman while on the stairs to accept his award is honestly more shocking to me than Will Smith slapping Chris Rock.”

Another added, “Adrien Brody could've used his long speech to apologize to his partner for throwing gum at her.”

“Adrien Brody's wife just won the award for Best Supportive Significant Other and her statuette is a wad of her husband's chewed gum that he tossed at her on his way up the stairs,” quipped one Twitter user.

Another called for action, saying, “Arrest Adrien Brody for hurling his gum at his wife at the Oscars.”

Despite the criticism, Brody defended his actions during an appearance on "Live With Kelly and Mark," explaining, “I could've swallowed it, but I didn't think about that. I had to get rid of it somehow.”

Chapman, who shares two children with jailed producer Harvey Weinstein, revealed she didn't manage to catch the gum despite her attempt.

The gum-throwing incident wasn't the only controversy surrounding Adrien Brody's 2025 Oscars appearance. The 51-year-old actor also drew criticism for delivering the longest acceptance speech in Academy Awards history, clocking in at five minutes and 40 seconds.

Brody, who won Best Actor for his role in "The Brutalist," refused to end his speech early, even as the in-house orchestra began playing to signal him to wrap up. Rather than comply, Brody interrupted his own speech, telling the orchestra to stop.

“I’m wrapping up. Please. Please. I will wrap up,” Brody pleaded. “Please turn the music off. I’ve done this before. It’s not my first rodeo. I will be brief.”

However, his speech continued for a full 558 words, far exceeding the suggested 45-second limit.

During his extended remarks, Brody reflected on his career, shared his gratitude for his girlfriend Georgina Chapman and her children, and offered a philosophical take on his second Oscars win.

“One thing that I’ve gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective,” Brody said. “No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away. And I think what makes this night most special is the awareness of that.”

The "Pianist" star, who made history as the first actor to win two Best Actor Oscars from his first two nominations, continued, “It is a chance to begin again. And the opportunity to hopefully be fortunate enough that for the next 20 years of my life, I can prove that I am worthy of such meaningful, important and relevant roles.”

The star went on to talk about his character. "Winning an award like this it signifies a destination," he shared, "and it's something my character references in the film but to me it also beyond the pinnacle of a career."

He continued, "It is a chance to begin again and the opportunity to hopefully be fortunate enough for that the next 20 years of my life that I can prove that I am worthy of such meaningful and important and relevant roles."

Viewers were not happy with his record-breaking speech, with one social media user pointing out, "Didn’t keep it brief at all and the cut the music mafioso neck chop was too extra."

They added, "Came off arrogant not endearing for the message he was taking a season to deliver. I appreciate his work but his ‘I’m all that, hear my speech and I won’t shorten it' didn’t land well for me."

Someone else echoed," Adrien Brody taking 1 whole minute to get on the stage, throwing his gum on the floor, and proceeding to have a 6.5 minute speech where he demands the orchestra to stop playing so he can keep yapping."

Brody’s win saw him beat out Timothée Chalamet, Ralph Fiennes, Sebastian Stan, and Colman Domingo,

"The Brutalist" also won Best Original Score and Best Cinematography.