John Cena, the 46-year-old wrestler turned actor, captured the audience’s attention at the 2024 Oscars on Sunday when he appeared to be nude on stage.
In a bold move mirroring historical antics, Mr. Cena participated in a sketch that left the Dolby Theater crowd both shocked and amused. The skit was seemingly a nod to a notorious incident from the 46th Academy Awards held in 1974, where a streaker made an unscheduled appearance.
Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the night’s festivities, included a moment in the ceremony to reminisce about the unexpected streaking event of 1974, when David Niven was interrupted by a naked man while introducing Elizabeth Taylor.
On Sunday, Mr. Kimmel paused, and then said, “Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?” He said it again, and Mr. Cena walked out, apparently nude but hiding his bottom half behind a curtain.
“I changed my mind, I don’t want to do the streaker bit anymore,” Mr. Cena told Mr. Kimmel, appearing to get cold feet. “I don’t feel right about it. It’s an elegant event! You should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless idea!”
But Mr. Cena wasn’t nude, at least not completely.
“Backstage photos reveal that Cena had precautions in place to prevent a wardrobe malfunction – perhaps learning a lesson from pop culture’s biggest wardrobe malfunction from twenty years ago; the infamous Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake ’nipplegate’ event from the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show,” The New York Post reported. “The ’Peacemaker’ actor can be seen wearing a modesty pouch covering his privates both in the front and the back, in the event that he had dropped that strategically placed envelope.”
In the end, Mr. Kimmel brought over fabric to make Mr. Cena look more “appropriate” for the star-studded audience, draping it over him so he looked like he was wearing a toga.
• Staff can be reached at 202-636-3000.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.