From glamorous couture gowns to Michelle Yeohs historic win for Best Actress and her iconic acceptance speech, theres much to talk about in the aftermath of the 2023 Oscars.
Yet Ashley Grahams brief interview with Hugh Grant seems to be stealing the show as the nights most awkward moment.
The supermodel was working the champagne carpet for ABC asking celebrities fairly routine questions before the show, but the good vibes hit a roadblock when she came across the Notting Hill star.
When asked who he was most excited to see at the Academy Awards, Grant responded: Um, no one in particular.
When Graham inquired about what he was wearingan absolute staple of Oscars questioning, he replied: Just my suit.
Things then got particularly painful for viewers when the host asked Grant about his brief cameo in Netflixs Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, which is nominated in the best-adapted-screenplay category.
Well, Im barely in it, Grant retorted. Powering through, Graham replied: You showed up and you had fun, right?
To which Grant replied: Uh almost, before rolling his eyes..
Hugh Grant with the greatest Red Carpet interview of all time pic.twitter.com/cK0E8pBcWK
Jared Christopher (@JaredLChris) March 13, 2023
And of course, the short encounter has divided the internet.
Team Grant vs Team Graham
Most people have been pointing out that Grahams interview with Grant was probably the most awkward exchange to take place at the 95th Academy Awardsfor both of the stars involved.
The film critic, Robbie Collins wrote on Twitter: Best Oscar Moment 2023: Hugh Grant ironically referencing a William Makepeace Thackeray novel and the interviewer thinking hes plugging the magazine that sponsors the after party.
Hugh Grant being brilliant here, Matthew Sweet echoed while adding that he once interviewed Grant and opened with some absurdly elaborate question. Apparently, the actor at the time, said: Look, you know I just do this for the money.
But for many, Grants usual witty and sarcastic style came across as rude, with Rolling Stones magazine joking on Twitter that the Oscar for Best Actress should go to Ashley Graham for telling Hugh Grant it was nice to talk to you.
Dont do the interview if you clearly dont want to be interviewed, @Kirsten53708048 tweeted.
Hes archetypically British in his pathological dislike of showing off, and generally I like his refusal to spout vacuous nonsense about the work, wrote Rebecca Reid for inews. But the self-confessed Grant fan added that there is never an excuse to make someone else look stupid and feel small.
What the experts say
Natalie Trice, a career coach and PR, said that watching the exchange made her uncomfortable.
Yes, he is a big star and maybe having to talk to the press might seem like a task as times, but it kind of goes with the territory, and its also about his personal brand and reputation, she says.
The same goes for leaders.
While Grants position is clearly unique, leaders are often put in a similar situation and have to answer seemingly inane questions from their peers, team members and the board all too often.
Everyone has a part to play in their industry, right from those at the top, to those at entry level, a point where all of us, including Hugh Grant, have been, Trice added.
Jill Cotton, career trends expert at Glassdoor echoes that those in positions of power arent above listening to the opinions or questions of those around (or below) them.
Its crucial to understand that a juniors question will come from a place of less experience and possibly knowledge, Cotton says while advising leaders actively listen and frame their responses in an encouraging manner so that the person is educated, rather than belittled.
She also encourages employers to take part in mentoring schemes to practice sharing their knowledge when asked seemingly obvious questions.
Like actors, leaders are often expected to put on a front in exchange for their generous pay package.
But, Angelica Malin an entrepreneur, author, and leadership coach thinks that authenticity and vulnerability go a long way.
I think if we took more opportunities to be our honest self and not need to play-act a response, wed have a more honest workplace, Malin added. Vulnerability is the buzzword of 2023 and theres simply nothing more vulnerable than not being perfect at work.
Plus, there are polite but firm ways to handle questions that feel beneath you and Malin says its all about coming from a place of self-respect.
If you know your worth and value, then dont let yourself be talked down to by anyone at work, she says, and this advice extends to all workers.
Even at a junior level, its important to show that you know your worth and youre not willing to be pushed around or patronized at work especially if youre a woman in the workplace, she adds.
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