Some speeches produce positive change, some produce nothing but yawns, and some become so ridiculously meme-worthy that they live on in the Internet Hall of Fame for decades as GIF material.
Whether it’s a mid-speech brawl, a pre-speech fall, or an unscripted moment of pure chaos that leaves viewers everywhere asking “Is this live?”, celebrities have been creating pop culture gold with their speeches for years.
In this blog, we’ll be turning back the clock and taking a look at famous celebrity speeches that went down in pop culture history — the good, the bad, and the cringe-worthy. So grab your popcorn — it’s time for a show.
Inspiring & Legendary Speeches
Up first, we have a collection of legendary speeches that inspired audience members across the globe and truly set the standard for impactful public speaking. Many of these speeches are now considered cultural milestones on account of their pioneering bravery and revolutionary impact.
Oprah Winfrey, Golden Globes (2018)
Up first, we have Oprah Winfrey’s “A New Day is on the Horizon” speech from the Golden Globes back in 2018. The response to this speech was so overwhelming — and its content so powerful — that it sparked rumours that Oprah was running for president! In her speech, Oprah shares an anecdotal moment from her childhood when she watched Sidney Poitier win the Oscar for Best Actor at the 36th Academy Awards, reflecting how “there are some little girls watching as I become the first black woman to be given this […] award”.
Oprah’s speech confronts listeners with direct commentary on racial injustice and issues facing women and girls across the world, expressing gratitude to “all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they […] had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue.” The speech ends powerfully by calling for an era when “Me Too” no longer has to be uttered.
Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech (2005)
Next up is a speech that inspired a generation of tech-savvy students to work that bit harder at school and stay curious. In 2005, Apple CEO and co-founder, Steve Jobs, delivered an empowering commencement address to crowds at Stanford University. Jobs’ speech taught students how to live successful lives with three separate sub “stories” — about connecting the dots, love and loss, and death.
In an iconic ending that has been echoed time and time again by ambitious creatives, Jobs encourages students to “stay hungry, stay foolish”. This parting message has since been adopted as a mantra by entrepreneurs in particular, stressing the importance of drive, curiosity, and adventurousness in business endeavours.
Religiously follow Apple’s product releases? Browse our range of Apple posters today to deck out your tech zone.
Chadwick Boseman, Howard University Commencement (2018)
In 2018, just two years before his tragic passing, Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman delivered a heartfelt speech at Howard University. Centered around purpose, resilience, and Black excellence, Boseman’s powerful speech urges graduates to find purpose in their lives rather than just careers, stating, “Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history.”
Boseman goes on to advocate for change and equality, sharing personal experiences where he challenged stereotypes in his acting roles before highlighting to his listeners that struggles are often integral to developing as humans. In a frequently quoted passage, Boseman said, “Sometimes you need to feel the pain and sting of defeat to activate the real passion and purpose that God predestined inside of you.”
You can watch Chadwick Boseman’s full speech on the Howard University YouTube channel.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Oscars (2016)
Lastly, an unlikely entry to round off our legendary list, we have Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2016 Oscar-win speech. While you may be thinking that this entry belongs on the ‘Meme-Worthy’ list, after years of being the internet’s favorite Oscar loser, DiCaprio finally won Best Actor for his role in The Revenant. But, instead of basking in the moment, the award-winning actor used his speech time to address the issue of climate change to an audience of thousands.
To quote Leo, “Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating”. Rounding off his speech with an environmental call-to-action and powerful mic-drop moment, DiCaprio ends: “ Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take tonight for granted. Thank you so very much.”
Controversial Speeches
Next, we have a scorching collection of controversial celebrity speech moments that left audiences in hysterics, social media in flames, and their respective PR teams in a cold sweat. From unscripted moments of rage to not-so-subtle callouts, these celebrity speeches left listeners stunned.
Will Smith VS Chris Rock, Oscars (2022)
If you can’t complete the line “Keep my wife’s name…”, do you even internet? Easily the most shocking moment from the 2022 Oscars, or of any in recent years, Will Smith interrupted Chris Rock’s speech to not-so-politely inform him that jokes about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, would not be welcome this year.
Audiences watched in horror as Smith shouted at Rock from the audience before quickly ascending the steps and slapping him across the face. At this point, the world collectively gasped. Just minutes later, it was Smith’s turn behind the podium, and what ensued was an awkward combination of apology and justification that left viewers baffled.
Ricky Gervais, Golden Globes (2020)
Ricky Gervais on a list for being controversial? How utterly unsurprising. This Marmite-esque public figure has developed a strong, no-nonsense reputation over the years for telling it how it is in his speeches. In his final and most savage Golden Globes speech yet (often called the “I don’t care anymore” speech), Gervais delivers a torrent of callouts, leaving no aspect of Hollywood untouched.
Pointing out widespread hypocrisy, joking about industry scandals (not to mention scandalous individuals), and interrogating virtue signalling in the industry, Gervais delivered the cold, hard facts with no remorse. Gervais ended with, “You’ll be pleased to know this is the last time I’m hosting these awards, so I don’t care anymore. I’m joking. I never did.”
The response? Nervous laughter, countless side eyes, and plenty of shifting in seats.
Taylor Swift, MTV VMAs (2009)
Winding back the clock a few more years, we have to mention what has become perhaps the most viral celeb speech drama of the 2000s — the Kayne/Beyoncé/ Taylor Swift mess at the VMAs in 2009.
What can only be described as a celebrity tantrum — but what’s come to be known as “Imma Let You Finish” — Kanye West stormed on stage as Taylor Swift was accepting the award for the Best Female Video. While Swift stood aghast, West grabbed the mic and declared that Beyonce had “one of the best videos of all time” (cue audience gasping).
Even Beyoncé looked mortified, later bringing Swift back on stage to finish her speech — but, at that point, the damage was done, and Kanye’s interruption made award show history for all the wrong reasons. In the coming months and years, there developed a long-standing famous feud between Ye and Tay, which sprawled Tweets, indirect music videos, many a diss track, and decades of beef.
We’d go into more detail, but it would end up being Celebrity Feuds 101, so we’ll leave this there.
Adele, Brit Awards (2012)
Finishing up our controversy list, we’re travelling over to Blighty for the Brit Awards where Adele controversially raised her middle finger to the music industry mid-speech.
After winning Best British Album (and Best Female Album), Adele was rudely cut off during her acceptance speech. Clearly unimpressed, Adele — Britain’s most unfiltered national treasure — ‘flipped the bird’ on live TV and instantly made headlines.
Initially, her fans were hurt, but Adele later clarified that her outrage was against “the suits”, stating, “I flung the middle finger. That was for the suits at the Brit Awards, not my fans. I’m sorry if I offended anyone but the suits offended me”.
Meme-Worthy Speeches
Lastly, our personal favorite category: the speeches that made memes. While it’s arguable that a few of the celebrity blunders above could well sit in this category, you’re in for a treat with our next entries.
From tripping and falling to funny phrases that did the rounds on social media, these speeches are permanently engrained into internet meme culture forever (whether their speakers intended it or not!).
Jennifer Lawrence, Oscars (2013)
Ok, while this one is not technically part of a speech — rather an awkward blunder just before — we couldn’t help but include this on our list. J-Law (AKA Jennifer Lawrence) accidentally tripped on her way up to the stage to receive the Best Actress award at the Oscars in 2013 and came out with the now iconic “I just fell…” line.
While for anyone else, this could have been a cheek-reddening, career-ruining move, for Jennifer Lawrence, it did nothing but reinforce her relatability as a lovable character who makes mistakes and is unfalteringly human.
Ruffled by the fall, Lawrence then forgot the name of the director of the Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell). However, haters were drowned out by fans who said the fall simply enhanced J-Law’s “girl-next-door” persona. Wearing a beautiful ball gown and holding her hand up to her face afterwards, some critics have speculated whether the fall was staged, but Lawrence has denied those claims. Maybe she is just that clumsy!
John Travolta, Oscars (2014)
Have you heard of the wickedly talented Adele Dazeem? No? John Travolta certainly has. A year after J-Law’s “I just fell moment”, audiences of the Oscars were treated to another meme-worthy speech moment in the form of John Travolta’s tongue-tie.
Perhaps one of the greatest mispronunciations in award show history, Travolta prepares the audience to welcome Idina Menzel to the stage to sing the hit song ‘Let It Go’ from Disney’s Frozen. However, despite a confident and hearty lead-up, Travolta instead invites audiences to clap for the “wickedly talented Adele Dazeem” much to everyone’s surprise.
Still a viral clip circulating online and generating millions of views, this is one of the most gone-wrong celebrity speech moments out there. Does anyone know if Ms Dazeem actually exists?
Immortalize Moments With Displate
Be it a close-up shot of your favorite celebrity or a quote from a speech that changed your brain chemistry forever, Displate’s range of metal posters can immortalise the best moments on your walls.
Browse through our range of posters and bring life to your walls. From Beyoncé to Billie Eilish, we’ve got all the stars on our shelves. In the meantime, for the latest pop culture updates, keep up with the Displate blog.
