Oscars "Envelopegate"

PwC consultant Brian Cullinan behind Oscars gaffe.

18:21 01 March 2017

PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has released a statement explaining Oscars gaffe that saw La La Land named best picture. It said that its consultant, Brian Cullinan, mistakenly handed Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway the back-up envelop for actress in a leading role.

 

Cullinan and another PwC accountant Martha Ruiz both had a complete set of envelopes on either side of the stage. This explains why both best actress winner Emma Stone and Beatty had separate best actress envelopes.

 

Beatty was obviously confused by the contents of the envelope before she decided to pass the card to Dunaway who then declared La La Land the winner of the best picture award.

 

"Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr Cullinan or his partner," said the accountancy firm.

 

The mix-up ended the ceremony on a chaotic note.

 

Meanwhile, the Academy has released a statement apologizing to the entire cast and crew of La La Land and Moonlight.

 

It added: "We salute the tremendous grace they displayed under the circumstances."

 

It also said that PwC had "taken full responsibility for the breaches of established protocols that took place during the ceremony.

 

"We have spent last night and today investigating the circumstances, and will determine what actions are appropriate going forward."