Top 10 Most Shocking Red Carpet Moments of the Last Decade

The Cannes Film Festival has long been a hotspot for protests, particularly by women speaking out against gender discrimination in the industry. In 2018, actress Kristen Stewart decided to make a bold statement on the red carpet. She ditched her stilettos right in front of photographers and walked down the rest of the carpet barefoot. Stewart, who was a jury member that year, was reportedly protesting an unspoken festival rule that requires women to wear heels. This controversial dress code first sparked outrage in 2015 when it was reported that a group of women were turned away from a screening for wearing flats. Stewart’s barefoot rebellion earned her praise for challenging a rule many deemed unfairly discriminatory against women.

The 2022 thriller “Don’t Worry Darling” was already causing a ruckus before it even hit theaters. Rumors first buzzed about Shia LaBeouf’s alleged firing, as well as on-set clashes between director Olivia Wilde and Florence Pugh. While everyone involved quickly denied the gossip, the film’s premiere at Venice painted a different picture. For one, Pugh skipped the press conference entirely. When she finally graced the red carpet with the rest of the cast, the tension between her and Wilde was palpable. The two barely made eye contact and avoided taking pictures together. Throw in Wilde’s romance with Harry Styles, and the video allegedly showing Styles spitting on Chris Pine, and you have arguably the most bizarre film release in recent history.

Ukrainian prankster Vitalii Sediuk has made headlines multiple times for physically assaulting multiple celebrities at various events. At the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, actress America Ferrera became his latest target. As Ferrera posed for pictures with her co-stars at the screening of “How To Train Your Dragon 2,” Sediuk crawled up to her and poked his head under her dress. Ferrera was understandably horrified by the bizarre incident, but managed to keep her composure while security dragged Sediuk out from under her dress and hauled him away. Despite calls for him to be charged with sexual assault, it appears Sediuk somehow escaped legal repercussions. However, his antics cost him his job at the Ukrainian TV channel 1+1.

It takes some serious guts to call out an organization to their face, and actress Debra Messing clearly has that in spades. In December 2017, E! anchor Catt Sadler announced her departure from the network after discovering she was earning about half of her male co-host’s salary. The following month, while attending the Golden Globes, actress Debra Messing found herself being interviewed on the red carpet by “E! News” host Giuliana Rancic. Without missing a beat, Messing brought up Sadler’s situation and used the opportunity to spotlight the network’s questionable stance on gender pay equality. Her statement clearly caught Rancic off guard, as the host quickly redirected the conversation to the MeToo movement and the Time’s Up initiative.

The Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards are where you go to get slimed and watch kids run wild with joy. So, imagine rapper Iggy Azalea’s surprise when she walked the red carpet in 2015 and was hit with an unexpectedly tough question. Azalea had previously spoken about getting breast implants and when she was interviewed by child actor Nicolas Bechtel, the young lad wasted no time in asking her about the procedure. Out of all the questions she thought she might face, this one was definitely not on her radar. Nevertheless, an amused Azalea delivered a thoughtful response, emphasizing the importance of being open about such procedures to help other women feel more comfortable discussing them.

When interviewing a celebrity, the least a reporter can do is a bit of homework. This simple step could have spared TNT reporter Danielle Demiski from a major facepalm moment at the 2015 SAG Awards. Demski was chatting with actress Rashida Jones, who is of African American descent, on the red carpet when she made an ill-informed comment about Jones’ appearance, complimenting her on a great tan. It’s the kind of remark you instantly regret the second it leaves your mouth. Jones’ face quickly registered the awkwardness, but she handled it like a pro, brushing the comment off with a smile. However, viewers at home weren’t as forgiving and promptly called Demski out for the blunder.

They say never meet your heroes because you might end up disappointed. Pop star Kesha knows that all too well. In 2017, while attending a Hollywood event, Kesha spotted a TV hero of hers on the red carpet, comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Naturally, she ran over, introduced herself and asked for a hug. Seinfeld, who was in the middle of an interview, was clearly taken aback by her. Although he initially greeted her pretty positively, he rejected her request for a hug three times! Even worse, he moved away from the singer to prevent her from touching him further. To call it embarrassing would be an understatement. According to Kesha, it was the “saddest moment” of her life.

On a list of the most terrifying things that could ever happen to you at the premiere of a children’s movie, this one certainly ranks high. When Zac Efron stepped on the red carpet for the 2012 animated film “The Lorax,” he had no clue he was about to make the most surprising headlines of the night. As he reached into his pocket to retrieve something, a condom wrapper tumbled out to the floor. The paparazzi pounced on it, their cameras flashing as the former child star scrambled to pick it up. Even Efron couldn’t help but laugh at the situation, turning away from the cameras with a sheepish grin after tucking the wrapper back in his pocket.

Whenever John Travolta shows up at the Oscars, you can bet he’ll find a way to get himself in the news. One year after his “Adele Dazeem” gaffe, Travolta decided to up the ante, this time on the red carpet, with actress Scarlett Johansson. As Johansson posed for the cameras, Travolta swooped in, wrapped his arm around her waist and planted an awkward kiss on her cheek. It lasted barely one second, but that was more than enough to make everyone watching squirm. Despite the public’s collective cringe, Johansson has since come forward to defend Travolta, calling the encounter “very sweet and totally welcome.” This wouldn’t be Johansson’s last awkward brush at the Oscars. In 2017, she fended off a “ridiculous question” from Ryan Seacrest.

In 2015, actress Zendaya appeared on the Oscars red carpet rocking a simple yet elegant dress, with her hair styled in dreadlocks. This look may have earned the admiration of many, but “Fashion Police” host Giuliana Rancic definitely wasn’t one of them. During the night’s fashion review, Rancic made a bizarre remark, quipping that Zendaya’s hair looked like it “[smelled] like patchouli oil or weed.” This comment sparked immediate backlash for its racially insensitive undertones. Zendaya herself responded with a powerful statement on social media, calling out the ignorance, and celebrating the beauty and cultural significance of her hairstyle. Facing a flood of criticism, Rancic acknowledged her misstep and offered a public apology to Zendaya.

Which of these red carpet moments stunned you the most? Let us know in the comments below.