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Teyana Taylor is setting the record straight following a night of viral moments and mixed reactions at the 98 th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, the One Battle After Another star took to social media and sat down with TMZ to address the backlash regarding her behavior and a tense confrontation with security.
The first wave of online criticism began during the ceremony when Taylor, 35, was seen leaping from her seat and cheering enthusiastically as Amy Madigan was announced as the winner for Best Supporting Actress. While some viewers praised her energy, others labeled the reaction “fake” or “over-the-top.” Taylor quickly shut down the negativity on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “The world holds so much misery that miserable hearts forget the face of happiness. They grow comfortable being sore losers, so when they see real sportsmanship it unsettles them! Like holy water touching a demon.”
However, the most significant controversy arose after the broadcast ended. A viral video captured Taylor in a heated exchange with a man in a crowded corridor of the Dolby\ Theatre. In the clip, an audibly frustrated Taylor can be heard saying, “You do not put your hands on a female. That’s very rude… He literally shoved me!”
Taylor further explained that the man was a security guard who attempted to block her and Warner Bros. executive Pam Abdy as they tried to reach the stage for a cast photo following their film’s Best Picture win. “Security was just doing a lot,” Taylor said. “I just don’t tolerate disrespect, especially when it’s unwarranted and unprovoked.” Sources confirmed the guard used his body to physically hold her back, leading to the verbal confrontation.
Despite the friction, Taylor maintained that the incident didn’t ruin her historic night. Her film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, emerged as the big winner of the evening with six Oscars. Other viral clips showed Taylor celebrating joyfully with her team, including a lighthearted moment where she playfully put Anderson in a headlock. “I’m perfectly fine. I’m happy,” Taylor concluded. “There’s nothing to wonder… I’m going to keep winning with grace and pure joy.”
