Many fans are only just realizing that every celebrity removed from the iconic Oscars selfie 11 years later had faced controversy.
Dubbed ‘Ellen’s Oscar Selfie,’ this famous picture has been somewhat of a curse. A quarter of those involved have faced controversy.
The most famous oscars selfie has aged poorly
The selfie, taken at the 2014 Oscars, remains one of the most recognizable images in Hollywood. However, it hasn’t stood the test of time well.
At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, the photo marked its 11th anniversary. Instead of nostalgia, it now brings controversy.
Who was in the oscars selfie?
The selfie included 12 A-list celebrities. Here’s who was in the picture:
Top row (left to right): Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie.
Bottom row (left to right): Meryl Streep, Ellen DeGeneres, Bradley Cooper, Peter Nyong’o.
However, among them, several have faced major scandals. Let’s look at those who have been ‘canceled.’
Ellen degeneres: from talk show queen to controversy
Ellen DeGeneres once ruled daytime television. Her talk show lasted 19 seasons, and audiences adored her for 17 of them.
However, in 2020, a Buzzfeed exposé revealed a toxic work environment behind the scenes. Employees reported racism, sexual misconduct, and intimidation from executive producers.
Although DeGeneres was not directly accused, critics argued she should have been more involved in managing her show. The controversy led to the show’s cancellation in 2022.
DeGeneres later claimed she was ‘canceled’ because of her show’s mantra: ‘Be Kind.’ However, public perception never fully recovered.
Kevin Spacey: from Oscar winner to court battles
Kevin Spacey’s fall from grace began in 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp accused him of sexual assault. Rapp alleged Spacey assaulted him as a teenager.
Spacey denied the allegations but was fired from *House of Cards* and faced multiple lawsuits. He was charged with four counts of sexual assault.
In 2023, Spacey was found not guilty in both the U.S. and U.K. courts. A jury also dismissed Rapp’s lawsuit against him.
Despite legal victories, Spacey’s career remains damaged. Hollywood has not welcomed him back.
Brad Pitt: Allegations and public division
Brad Pitt’s controversy stems from his divorce from Angelina Jolie. Jolie accused Pitt of being physically abusive to her and their children during a private flight in 2016.
She claimed Pitt attacked their children, who were between 8 and 15 years old at the time. Pitt has denied all allegations.
His lawyer stated, “Brad has owned everything he’s responsible for, but he won’t take responsibility for things he didn’t do.”
Some fans called for Pitt to be canceled. Others defended him, saying canceling him was impossible.
The selfie’s legacy: a cursed image?
What was once an iconic Oscars moment now carries a different weight. The image represents both Hollywood glamour and the darker side of fame.
However, many fans are realizing that some stars have not only faced scandals but also continued to thrive in their careers, while others have experienced scandals that altered their careers forever.
One person said: Never understood what was so great about this selfie
A second wrote: Only 2 people in this pic really have had a serious issue. The rest are still living they best life and making movies
While a third commented: So as it turns out, only 3 have been cancelled, and of those Ellen DeGeneres hadn’t done anything wrong and Brad Pitt is only alleged to have done something, so that leaves only Kevin Spacey that we know is guilty, so yep, total BS!
Another added: Not all of them. Isn’t it just Ellen and Kevin? Everyone else still fine, no?
Someone else said: They look really bothered by it too.
As the years pass, this once-beloved moment remains a reminder of how quickly public perception can change.