John Cena (46) went back to nature when he presented this year’s Oscar for “best costume design”.
Before Cena took the stage and introduced the nominees, host Jimmy Kimmel, 56, reminded viewers and the audience of a piece of Oscar history by bringing up the 50th anniversary of what was once “the wildest moment” in Oscar history.
– At the 46th Academy Awards, 1974, David Niven was in the middle of introducing Elizabeth Taylor when a naked man – a streaker – ran across the stage, the presenter said, before adding:
– Can you imagine if a naked man ran across the stage today?
“Changed his mind”
Kimmel then repeated the latter statement, before seconds later the audience could see Cena’s head peeking out backstage.
– Psst, Jimmy. Come here, Cena whispered, to which Kimmel replied:
– I can’t get there, do the thing! Excuse me for a moment. What is going on? Are you going to run across the stage?
Cena then said, much to Kimmel’s disappointment, that he had “changed my mind” and that it “didn’t feel right” to be naked at such an elegant event as the Oscars.
– Honestly, you should feel ashamed right now for proposing such a tasteless idea, he joked to Kimmel.
After some back and forth with the host, Cena eventually entered the stage wearing only a pair of Birkenstock sandals and a large envelope with the name of this year’s winner.
– The most important thing there is
– Costumes… they are so important. Perhaps the most important thing there is, Cena stated as he finally introduced the nominees in the “best costume design” category from the stage.
He was obviously struggling to stay serious and exclaimed:
– I can’t open the envelope.
After the nominees were announced on screen, the stage lit up to reveal that the former wrestler had made a quick change. When he announced Poor Things as the winner, he was wearing a sort of nude-colored toga-style curtain.