Academy Apologises for Mix-Up Involving La La Land and Moonlight

PwC, the company in charge of counting the ballots, issued an apology.

Organisers clarifying the issue to Warren Beaty (centre). (Photo: AP)

Following what might be the biggest blunder in the history of the Academy Awards, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accounting firm incharge of the ballot counting process issued an apology, clarifying the error.

As the 89th Academy Awards boiled down to it’s final award announcement, Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announced that the La La Land had won Best Picture. In reality, Moonlight had won the award.

While the director of La La Land, Damien Chazelle, was giving what he thought to be his victory speech, the error was corrected and the right winner was shown on screen.

Award announcer Warren Beatty explained that when he opened the envelope, it read “Emma Stone: La La Land”. He explained that he wasn’t trying to be funny when he took a long pause before the announcement adding that he was genuinely confused.

PwC, which has overseen the Academy’s ballot counting process for the past 85 years, said:

We sincerely apologise to <i>Moonlight, La La Land</i>, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture.

They explained that they were investigating exactly why the mix-up had taken place, and that they deeply regretted the incident.