John Cena goes mostly nude to present costume design Oscar: ‘Costumes are important’
At the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, WWE star turned actor John Cena made his Oscars debut — exposing way more than audiences were expecting to see.
The “Peacemaker” and “Argylle” star made his presenting debut at the annual awards nearly in the nude to hand out the costume design Oscar. In a bit referencing the streaker who stormed the stage at the 46th ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel persuaded Cena to bare it all. Well, almost.
“What’s going on? You’re supposed to run across the stage,” Kimmel pressed the “Barbie” actor.
Oscar winners “Oppenheimer,” “Poor Things,” Emma Stone and more took home Academy Awards during Sunday’s ceremony.
After sidestepping out from behind a large set piece, Cena — wearing just an envelope over his bits and a pair of Birkenstock sandals — took center stage. Addressing those in the audience at the Dolby Theatre, he reminded them, “Costumes are important.”
“They are so important, maybe the most important thing there is,” he says, before telling Kimmel he can’t open the envelope covering his groin.
Here are all the looks from the 2024 Oscars red carpet, from Emma Stone to Emily Blunt, Lupita Nyong’o to Zendaya.
As the lights dimmed, the show’s production crew members threw a curtain over the wrestling star. After the stage lighted up, Kimmel was on his knees putting the finishing touches on Cena’s new look.
“There, you look beautiful,” Kimmel said, rising from the floor.
Cena presented the Oscar to Holly Waddington, who designed the abstract costumes of Yorgos Lanthimos‘ “Poor Things.”
“‘Poor Things’ was a very rare opportunity to be really free and artistic in a creative process as a costume designer,” Waddington said, before thanking the stars and producing team behind the film.
The 96th Academy Awards aired live on ABC from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. “Oppenheimer” was the night’s big winner, taking home seven prizes including best picture.
From the Oscars to the Emmys.
Get the Envelope newsletter for exclusive awards season coverage, behind-the-scenes stories from the Envelope podcast and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
