The Academy Award for most awkward red carpet interview at this year’s Oscars goes to… Hugh Grant and Ashley Graham.
Sunday’s awards show had its share of memorable moments, but the “Love Actually” actor’s pre-show chat with Graham made the internet rounds and divided viewers.
“Hugh Grant steps forward to be interviewed at the Oscars, then gives the most awkward and painful interview ever,” former NBCUniversal executive Mike Sington tweeted. “Kudos to Ashley Graham for trying to get him talking and being a professional.”
Before the ceremony, Grant stopped by Graham’s place on the red carpet, where he was asked about his “favorite thing about coming to the Oscars”.
“Ugh, that’s fascinating. All humanity is here. It’s ‘Vanity Fair,’” Grant replied, laughing and raising his eyebrows.
Grant seemed to be making a literary reference to the Vanity Fair allegorical of sinful frivolity, but this seemed to go unnoticed by model-turned-TV personality Graham.
“Oh, it’s all about Vanity Fair. That’s where we let loose and have a little fun,” she said, referring to the A-list after party.
As the interview progressed, Grant and Graham struggled to connect, with the former sharing forceful responses. Was he supporting someone? “No one in particular.” Who made your tuxedo? “Um, I can’t remember. my tailor.
“You don’t have to be a great publicist, Hugh Grant. I mean you really don’t. tweeted writer Rebecca Carroll.
“If you don’t want to be interviewed, don’t take the mic, smile politely and keep walking,” the #OscarsSoWhite creator wrote. april reign. “Kudos to @ashleygraham for repeatedly trying to get something interesting out of it.”
As if the previous exchanges were not shameful Enough, the exchange concluded with Graham asking Grant about his brief appearance in Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.”
“Well, I’m just on it. I’m in it for about three seconds,” he said.
After Sunday’s ceremony, Graham received a lot of support from social media users who praised her for keeping her cool.
“You handled that Hugh Grant interview like a pro,” one follower commented. on his Instagram post.
“You did a great job of not letting anyone bring you down during (an) interview…” said another follower.
Some online reviewers weren’t as supportive, writing that Graham “has to do his homework.” Filmmaker Jared Christopher tweeted that Grant had “the best red carpet interview of all time”.
In Graham’s post, one Instagram user dismissed Grant’s alleged attitude, saying he “would be a funny, sarcastic Brit.”
“There is a big difference. In fact, it was refreshing to hear someone respond in an authentic and relaxed way instead of fake and pretentious like so many others,” Instagram user Angel Carra wrote.
See more reactions to that red carpet exchange below:
