The 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, brought plenty of memorable moments, but one unexpected red carpet exchange had everyone talking. In a surprising twist, Halle Berry and Adrien Brody recreated their infamous 2003 Oscars kiss, igniting a wave of mixed reactions online.
The playful reenactment took place more than two decades after the original moment, which happened when Brody spontaneously kissed Berry after winning Best Actor for The Pianist. While some fans viewed the recreated kiss as a nostalgic tribute, others found it inappropriate and disrespectful—particularly because Brody’s partner, Georgina Chapman, was present.
Here’s how the moment unfolded, why it sparked controversy, and how fans reacted to the surprising Oscars flashback.
Video:
Adrien Brody Kisses Halle Berry at The 2003 Oscars
A Surprising Red Carpet Moment: The Kiss That Stunned Hollywood
During an interview on the red carpet at the 2025 Academy Awards, Halle Berry approached Adrien Brody with a mischievous smile. In a playful nod to their 2003 Oscars moment, Berry turned to Brody’s girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, and jokingly said:
“I’m sorry, Georgina, but I gotta do it.”
Before anyone could react, Berry leaned in and shared a brief kiss with Brody, mirroring their unforgettable on-stage moment from 22 years earlier. The crowd responded with a mix of laughter, cheers, and a few surprised gasps.
Chapman, who stood nearby, appeared to take the moment in stride. She was seen laughing and clapping, signaling her approval of the lighthearted exchange.
The History Behind the Famous 2003 Oscars Kiss
The original kiss occurred at the 75th Academy Awards in 2003 when Adrien Brody shocked the audience by pulling Halle Berry in for a spontaneous kiss after winning Best Actor for The Pianist. The unscripted moment left Berry visibly stunned, and the memorable kiss quickly became one of the most talked-about moments in Oscars history.
Reflecting on the incident years later, Berry admitted she was caught off guard. In a 2017 interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she recounted her reaction:
“I was like, ‘What is happening right now?’ But I just went with it.”
While some found the moment humorous and spontaneous at the time, others criticized Brody for kissing Berry without warning. Over the years, the moment has remained controversial, especially as conversations about boundaries and consent have gained greater awareness in Hollywood.
Adrien Brody’s Reflection on the 2003 Kiss
In a recent interview leading up to the 2025 Oscars, Brody addressed the infamous 2003 moment, acknowledging how social attitudes have evolved.
“We live in a very conscious time, which is a wonderful thing. And nothing that I ever do or have done or would’ve done is ever done with the intention of making anyone feel bad,” Brody explained.
His comments reflected an awareness of shifting cultural norms and a desire to clarify that the original kiss was meant to be celebratory rather than inappropriate.
Video:
Halle Berry KISSES Adrien Brody At 2025 Oscars 22 Years Later
Halle Berry’s ‘Payback’ Post: Fans React on Social Media
Following the red carpet moment, Halle Berry took to Instagram to share a playful post about the encounter. Captioning the photo as “payback” for the original kiss, Berry appeared to embrace the lighthearted nature of the reenactment.
The post quickly gained traction, with fans, celebrities, and media outlets weighing in. While some praised the moment as a fun, nostalgic gesture, others voiced concern about its implications.
The Divided Response: Fans Debate the Reenactment
Reactions to the Oscars kiss reenactment were polarizing. While some viewers applauded Berry and Brody’s playful tribute to their past moment, others criticized the kiss as disrespectful—particularly toward Brody’s girlfriend, Georgina Chapman.
Some social media comments included:
“This is actually crazy.”
“Did she just kiss another woman’s husband?”
“Disrespectful to his girlfriend.”
While some users expressed discomfort, others defended the moment as innocent fun, pointing out that Chapman’s laughter and applause showed she wasn’t bothered.
One fan wrote:
“Clearly, Georgina was fine with it. People need to chill.”
Another added:
“It’s a throwback! People are reading way too much into it.”
The mixed reactions highlight how cultural norms around personal boundaries have shifted dramatically since the original 2003 Oscars moment.
Georgina Chapman’s Reaction: Was It Really ‘Disrespectful’?
Despite the backlash, Georgina Chapman appeared unfazed by the reenactment. Her visible laughter and supportive applause suggested she took the moment in good humor.
Chapman, a successful fashion designer and ex-wife of Harvey Weinstein, has faced her own share of public scrutiny. Since her relationship with Adrien Brody became public in 2020, the couple has maintained a relatively low profile.
Given Chapman’s relaxed reaction at the Oscars, many fans argued that if she didn’t mind the kiss, there was no reason for outrage.
The 2025 Oscars: A Night of Fashion, Film, and Controversy
While the Berry-Brody kiss sparked headlines, the 97th Academy Awards offered much more than just red carpet drama. The event delivered a dazzling display of show-stopping fashion, with celebrities turning heads in luxurious gowns, sharp suits, and high-fashion statements.
From Halle Berry’s sleek, form-fitting dress to Adrien Brody’s classic tailored tuxedo, the stars embraced timeless Hollywood glamour.
Fashion moments may steal the show, but it’s the unexpected surprises like Berry and Brody’s kiss that keep fans talking long after the red carpet is rolled up.
Final Thoughts: Nostalgia or Overstepping Boundaries?
The 2025 Oscars kiss reenactment between Halle Berry and Adrien Brody has undoubtedly reignited debates about boundaries, consent, and the changing landscape of Hollywood behavior.
While some fans embraced the moment as a fun throwback, others questioned its appropriateness—especially in today’s climate, where respect for personal boundaries is more important than ever.
Regardless of where opinions fall, one thing is certain—Halle Berry and Adrien Brody’s kiss has once again become a memorable Oscars moment, proving that Hollywood’s most iconic moments often come when we least expect them.
