11 March 2024 , 17:10
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The Oscars descended into “pandemonium” behind the scenes because of anti-war protests disrupting the ceremony, The Mirror can exclusively reveal.
Many A-listers en route to the Dolby Theatre including best actress nominee Lily Gladstone were forced to abandon their cars and walk because of the 1000-strong crowd. Lily had to be rescued by a golf cart, and dozens of other stars were affected including Ariana Grande, who presented an award, and actor Christoph Waltz.
Hundreds of pro-Palestine protestors, who were calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, showed up in large numbers to block the road. They carried Palestinian flags and signs, while shouting "ceasefire now" and "free Palestine."
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Pro-Palestine protestors showed up and blocked the road (AFP via Getty Images)The start of the show had to be delayed, and hundreds of people in the audience - including major stars - were not in their seats when the ceremony eventually kicked off.
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Oppenheimer ended up being the big winner after scooping seven awards including best picture and best actor for Cillian Murphy.
But proceedings were overshadowed by the protests as it later emerged some stars had to walk upwards of a MILE. Insiders said there was a sense of "pandemonium" on the red carpet.
A source said: "There was a lot of A-list rage because the queues were snaking back for ages by the time they did make it to the red carpet. Organisers were already frantic because the show was starting an hour earlier this year….but this really tipped them over the edge."
Protestors were shouting "ceasefire now" and "free Palestine" (Anadolu via Getty Images)TV bosses were forced to go to a commercial break soon after the start to ensure that the stars could get to their seats.
One security guard told the Mirror: "No one expected it to be as chaotic as what we’ve seen tonight. All the drivers have been told it’s impossible to get to the Dolby Theatre.”
The Academy was also forced to cancel all the buses ferrying the media to the Dolby Theatre. The 1000-strong group of protestors were calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Protestors marched down the street with signs that read "No awards for genocide" as smoke flares were repeatedly set off. LAPD were forced to dramatically increase the number of officers scheduled to attend the ceremony.
The Oscars were forced to take a commercial break (AFP via Getty Images)Billie Eilish, Poor Things star Ramy Youssef and more celebrities wore red pins in support of Artists for Ceasefire on the red carpet.
Ramy spoke to Variety about the meaning of the button. "We’re calling for immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We’re calling for peace and lasting justice for the people of Palestine," he said.
"It’s a universal message of, 'Let’s stop killing kids. Let’s not be part of more war.' No one has ever looked back at war and thought a bombing campaign was a good idea," the actor continued, "To be surrounded by so many artists who are willing to lend their voices, the list is growing. A lot of people are going to be wearing these pins tonight. There’s a lot of talking heads on the news, this is a space of talking hearts. We’re trying to have this big beam to humanity."