John Cena stripped down for a “nude” performance at the 96th Academy Awards at The Dolby Theater in Los Angeles and social media shared their thoughts about what appeared to be a naked man on the stage.
On Sunday, host Jimmy Kimmel introduced the bit with Cena by talking about how it was the 30th anniversary of when a streaker ran across the stage at the Oscars in the 1970s, the New York Post reported.
“At the 46th Academy Awards, 1974, David Niven was in the middle of introducing Elizabeth Taylor when a nude man — a streaker — ran across the stage,” Kimmel told the audience in the room and at home.
“Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?” he added, and it was clear he was about to possibly introduce a nude man.
It was then Cena popped up behind a piece on the set, and although he carried a strategically placed prop, he appeared to be not wearing a stitch of clothing.
“I changed my mind, I don’t want to do the streaker bit anymore,” Cena told Kimmel. “I don’t feel right about it.”
John Cena walking onto the #Oscars stage naked.
See the full winners list: https://t.co/IctYZ9WO3B pic.twitter.com/cRE3tLPe1Y
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 11, 2024
“It’s an elegant event!” he added. “You should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless idea … The male body is not a joke!”
Cena was then encouraged to come out onto the stage, and he appeared to be fully nude and covered up only by a large presenter envelope.
After the winner was announced, Kimmel helped cover up the former wrestler into an outfit that looked like a toga made of curtain material.
Online users immediately reacted on social media slamming the moment that occurred while children could’ve been watching.
“John Cena appearing nude at the Oscars is a real nice look for a guy who’s considered a hero by so many children,” one person wrote.
Another added, “If John Cena is doing this in public, imagine what he’s doing in private to please the rulers of Hollywood.”
While a third person wrote, “What’s really wrong with John Cena, is this normal? Men used to be men.”
On Monday, reports surfaced that the actor wasn’t actually nude, only that he appeared that way. The reports included images of the small material Cena was actually wearing when he appeared on stage next to Kimmel that covered his private parts and backside.
The bit was definitely one of the more surprising moments of the night — where the film “Oppenheimer” dominated, taking home 7 out of 13 nominations, as previously reported.