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An official for the Oscars is speaking out after the show sparked controversy for cutting off multiple speeches.
In a Monday (March 16) interview with Variety, the producer for the 98th Academy Awards addressed the way ceremony handled KPop Demon Hunters' Best Original Song historic win for "Golden," a moment that led to fury online from fans upset the songwriting team was abruptly cutoff mid acceptance speech.
Singer and songwriter EJAE delivered a short emotional speech, but as she moved aside for the next person to speak, the orchestra began to play the group off the stage as the televised ceremony went to a commercial, per E! News. Additionally, Two People Exchanging Saliva filmmaker Alexandre Singh was met with the microphone lowering into the stage as he went to accept the win after tying with The Singers for Best Live Action Short Film, who had already given a speech.
Rob Mills, executive vice president, unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, told Variety that Oscars officials will use the backlash as a learning experience for future ceremonies.
"One thing, as we post mortem for next year, will be to look at how we're handling speeches," Mills said. "I don't know what the most elegant solution is, but it's obviously something we should look really, really long and hard at."
While "cutting somebody off ... [during] their one moment" is "difficult," Mills said they will come up with best solution that gives each winner a chance to bask in their new glory.
"Do we need to look at it and say, OK, designate one person to speak," he said. "Maybe you continue it backstage, and we have a feed on social or something like that."
Check out the full list of winners from the 2026 Oscars and see all of the amazing looks from the red carpet.