On the heels of a second apology from PwC over the confusion at Sunday night’s Oscar ceremony, the Academy has added its own apology for the chaos that ensued when presenter Warren Beatty was given the wrong envelope before he presented Best Picture.
AMPAS apologized to the filmmakers and presenters involved, and to fans and TV viewers, and said it “determine what actions are appropriate going forward.”
PwC has taken full responsibility for the error, in which its balloting leader Brian Cullinan mistakenly handed Beatty an envelope for the Best Actress category instead of Best Picture. Cullinan had tweeted a photo of Emma Stone from backstage moments before he made the mistake.
PwC apologized for the error a few hours after the Oscars ceremony ended, and added a second, more extensive apology on Monday evening.
Read the full statement below:
“We deeply regret the mistakes that were made during the presentation of the Best Picture category during last night’s Oscar ceremony. We apologize to the entire cast and crew of ‘La La Land’ and ‘Moonlight’ whose experience was profoundly altered by this error. We salute the tremendous grace they displayed under the circumstances. To all involved – including our presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, the filmmakers, and our fans watching worldwide – we apologize.
“For the last 83 years, the Academy has entrusted PwC to handle the critical tabulation process, including the accurate delivery of results. PwC has taken full responsibility for the breaches of established protocols that took place during the ceremony. We have spent last night and today investigating the circumstances, and will determine what actions are appropriate going forward. We are unwaveringly committed to upholding the integrity of the Oscars and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.”