John Cena presents an award in the buff (2024 Oscars)

Most people have nightmares about showing up on stage in their underwear, but John Cena had nothing to hide on Hollywood’s glitziest night (and for once, no invisible, “you can’t see me” jokes).

To present Best Costume Design, the wrestler-turned-actor strutted out in nothing but flesh-toned briefs, casually holding the winner’s envelope in a well-timed cover-up. A nod to Oscars history, his nearly-nude moment came 50 years after a streaker made an unscripted sprint across the stage behind host David Niven.

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock (2022 Oscars)

Well, that escalated quickly. While presenting the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, comedian Chris Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head: “Jada, I love you, G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it.” (It’s unclear whether Rock knew that the actress has a condition called alopecia, which causes hair loss.)

Jada’s husband, Will Smith, was so offended by the comment that he marched on stage and slapped Rock across the face, and then proceeded to yell obscenities at him. Things got really uncomfortable about 20 minutes later when a tearful Smith apologized to the Academy while accepting his Oscar for Best Actor: “I hope the Academy invites me back.”

Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera kiss (2003 VMAs)

Two generations of pop divas came together in a raunchy-delightful ménage. The scandalous cherry on top: The original broadcast featured a well-timed audience cut to Britney Spears‘ ex, Justin Timberlake.

Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift at the podium (2009 VMAs)

Yo, Taylor. We’re really happy for you, and we’re gonna let you finish, but Kanye West interrupting your MTV Video Music Awards acceptance speech is the most discussed interruption of all time. Of all time!

Diana Ross goes hands-on with Lil’ Kim’s pastie (1999 VMAs)

That time Diana Ross was greeted by Lil’ Kim in a revealing sparkly purple bodysuit, and she just couldn’t stop herself from giving one boob a jiggle. Meanwhile, Mary J. Blige looked on, her expression unreadable.

Jodie Foster comes out (2013 Golden Globes)

The famously private Jodie Foster gave a teasingly circuitous speech about herself and Hollywood. While she came out by thanking her “heroic co-parent” and “ex-partner in love,” Cydney Bernard, Foster also deconstructed what it means to come out — and the idea of privacy in a time when every celebrity has “a press conference, a fragrance, and a prime-time reality show.”

Michael Jackson kisses wife Lisa Marie Presley (1994 VMAs)

Michael Jackson walked on stage holding his then-new bride‘s hand. “Just think,” he said, “nobody thought this would last.” It did not.

Aretha Franklin sings opera, filling in for Luciano Pavarotti (1998 Grammys)

Every now and then, one of the world’s greatest opera singers cancels an appearance at the last minute. And in 1998, the undisputed Queen of Soul agreed to fill in for him.

Roberto Benigni climbs over seats to reach the podium (1999 Oscars)

Yes, Roberto Benigni won two awards in a single night. More impressive: He remains the only person in history to celebrate his first Oscar win by jumping on the back of Steven Spielberg‘s chair.

Ellen DeGeneres organizes an Oscar-worthy selfie (2014 Oscars)

The perfect snapshot microcosm of a whole era in Hollywood history. It quite literally overloaded Twitter (now X) with the number of reposts. Also, proof that Bradley Cooper is very good at framing.

Lady Gaga wears a meat dress (2010 VMAs)

Lady Gaga‘s rise to fame turned into a game of fashion brinkmanship, with the ascendant diva constantly topping herself for eccentric style. The grotesque high point: the meat dress, complete with an uncooked meat cap and shoes.

Best Picture mix-up (2017 Oscars)

And the Oscar goes to…absolute chaos! Closing out the 2017 Oscars, Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty presented the Best Picture category, with La La Land as the frontrunner and Moonlight nipping at its heels. And, wow, did Moonlight pull off a stunning victory — but not in a way that anyone imagined.

After Beatty opened the envelope, he briefly paused, and then had Dunaway read the winner: La La Land. The film’s cast and producers hit the stage, and acceptance speeches were being made until La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz returned to the microphone to announce: “There’s a mistake. Moonlight, you guys won Best Picture. This is not a joke.” He then held up Moonlight‘s winning card for everyone to see. (Apparently, Beatty had been given the Best Actress envelope by mistake.) It was a gracious transfer of power — and the wildest, strangest ending to the Oscars, ever.

Lady Gaga stuns with Julie Andrews tribute (2015 Oscars)

A half-decade on from butcher-chic, Gaga confirmed her newfound mature phase with a musical medley honoring The Sound of Music (1965). A visibly delighted Julie Andrews appeared on stage to bless her with a hug.

Melissa Etheridge makes her first appearance with her shaved head while fighting cancer (2005 Grammys)

Coming off a round of chemotherapy for breast cancer, the singer-songwriter dueted on “Piece of My Heart” with Joss Stone in tribute to Janis Joplin. The song became a cancer battle anthem — and once again confirmed Melissa Etheridge as one of music’s bravest, most unapologetic performers.

Jennifer Lawrence trips on her way to the podium (2013 Oscars)

A perfect moment: Jennifer Lawrence crowns a big year with the big prize. A minor calamity: The starlet falls on the steps. An even more perfect moment: She picks herself up, not even noticing that Hugh Jackman and Bradley Cooper — two of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Men Alive! — were running to her aid.

Van Halen reunites for the first time in a decade (1996 VMAs)

“This is the first time that we’ve actually stood on stage together in over a decade,” declared Van Halen singer David Lee Roth, who reunited ever-so-briefly with his fellow band members to present the award for Best Male Video at the 1996 VMAs to Beck for “Where It’s At.”

Bob Dylan gets Soy Bombed (1998 Grammys)

Bob Dylan was pleasantly singing “Love Sick,” a song so inoffensive that Victoria’s Secret turned it into an ad. Then performance artist Michael Portnoy ran up next to Dylan, “Soy Bomb” scrawled across his bare chest. Gesticulating (and gate-crashing TV history) ensued.

Robin Thicke twerks with Miley Cyrus (2013 VMAs)

Briefly popular thanks to “Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke walked on stage for his big moment wearing a Beetlejuice-esque striped suit. He immediately got twerked right out of the zeitgeist by Miley Cyrus, wearing a suggestive foam finger and nude latex bra and panties.

Christopher Reeve introduces film clips about social issues after his accident (1996 Oscars)

Less than a year after a horseback riding accident left Christopher Reeve paralyzed from the neck down, the once and future Superman appeared on stage. The standing ovation lasted a full minute. Then, he started talking — and had to keep pausing for more applause.