Photo Credit:Access Hollywood
Two decades after one of the most talked-about moments in Academy Awards history, Halle Berry and Adrien Brody found themselves at the center of attention once again. At the 2025 Oscars red carpet, Berry surprised Brody with a kiss, a clear nod to their infamous encounter at the 2003 ceremony.
The moment, captured in a video shared by the official Academy Awards Instagram account, showed Berry approaching Brody with open arms before leaning in for a dramatic kiss. She later posted the clip on her own Instagram, captioning it, “Surpriseee @adrienbrody!! I had to get some payback
In 2003, Brody, then 29, had just won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Pianist. As Berry, who was presenting the award, handed him the Oscar, Brody seized the moment, pulling her in for an unplanned kiss. The audience erupted in laughter, but Berry’s reaction—momentary surprise before laughing it off—left an impression that has lingered for years.
While the moment was widely celebrated at the time, perspectives have shifted over the years. In a 2017 interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Berry revealed that the kiss was completely unexpected. “I knew nothing about it,” she said, recalling her inner thoughts at that moment: “What the f--- is happening right now?”
As social norms have evolved, many have revisited the 2003 incident with a more critical eye. The discussion surrounding consent and public behavior has intensified in Hollywood, making Brody’s actions a subject of scrutiny. Earlier this month, in an interview with Variety, Brody addressed the controversy. “We live in a very conscious time, which is a wonderful thing,” he said. “And nothing that I ever do or have done or would’ve done is ever done with the intention of making anyone feel bad.”
Despite the discourse, Berry has maintained a friendly rapport with Brody. Following his Golden Globe win in January for The Brutalist, she left a congratulatory comment on his Instagram, calling him “truly one of one.”
