In a nostalgic twist of fate, Halle Berry and Adrien Brody recreated their infamous Oscars moment more than two decades later. The incident dates back to the 2003 Academy Awards, where Adrien Brody won the Best Actor award for his role in "The Pianist." During the ceremony, Berry, who presented the award, was caught off guard when Brody spontaneously kissed her on stage. This surprise moment left a lasting impression on both attendees and viewers alike.
Fast forward to the 2025 Oscars, where Berry and Brody reunited on the red carpet, bringing back memories of their unforgettable encounter. Brody, nominated once again for Best Actor for his performance in "The Brutalist," shared the spotlight with Berry in what the academy described as "a reunion 22 years in the making." The academy further highlighted this moment by sharing it on their social media platforms with the same tagline.
Halle Berry has reflected on the 2003 incident in various interviews over the years, including an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live." In 2017, she candidly told Andy Cohen that she felt obliged to "pay him back" for that memorable kiss. Despite the initial surprise, Berry downplayed the event, referring to it merely as a moment, while Brody has only mentioned it sparingly.
When speaking to Variety during their red-carpet reunion, Berry humorously stated, “That was one hell of a night for him, and for me as well. To be a part of his moment … tonight I had to pay him back.” This sentiment was echoed by Adrien Brody, who remarked, “Nothing that I ever do or have done or would’ve done is ever done with the intention of making anyone feel bad.”
The original incident gained notoriety and was even described as "notorious" by Variety. However, both actors have maintained a light-hearted approach to the memory.