Teyana Taylor has sparked a fierce online debate after a tense backstage moment at the 98th Academy Awards went viral on social media.
The singer and actress, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in One Battle After Another, was filmed appearing to confront a man during the ceremony.
In the clip, Ms Taylor can be heard raising her voice as she says: “You’re a man putting your hands on a female. You’re very rude.”
She repeats the remark before turning to someone nearby who appeared to be asking what had happened.
Ms Taylor appeared to called the man ‘very rude’ in the now-viral clip
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“Because he was putting his hands on a famale, he literally shoved me,” she said.
The video quickly spread on social media – leaving users divided over the exchange.
Some criticised Ms Taylor’s reaction, suggesting the situation had been exaggerated.
One person wrote: “Nobody touched her… She was just making a scene.”
Taylor was was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in One Battle After Another
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Another added: “Well… This is the night to show off being dramatic isn’t it?”
A third said: “These celeberties act like they’re so important – umm, you’re really not.”
Others defended the actress, praising her for speaking out.
One user wrote: “Why is the narrative always about a ‘fight’ when a black woman shows emotion?”
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Another commented: “Teyana Taylor didn’t hold back. Good for her. Nobody should get touched without consent, especially on a stage like the that.”
Despite the controversy, Ms Taylor had already been one of the most talked-about stars of the night.
The 35-year-old earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for playing Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another.
Although she ultimately lost the award to Amy Madigan for Weapons, Ms Taylor’s film still had a major evening, winning Best Picture.
She also went viral earlier in the ceremony for her energetic reaction to Ms Madigan’s win, leaping to her feet in applause for the veteran actress.
While some commentators criticised her celebratory response as “over-the-top”, many others praised her enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
Ms Taylor had dominated much of the awards season leading up to the Oscars, having already won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for the same role.
Her red carpet appearance was also widely praised, with many fashion critics naming her among the best dressed of the evening.
Ms Taylor had dominated much of the awards season
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The star arrived in a custom Chanel gown featuring a sheer crystal-beaded bodice and a dramatic skirt layered with black and white feathers.
She completed the look with more than 60 carats of Tiffany & Co. diamonds, including a platinum necklace with an 18-carat emerald-cut diamond pendant.
