How nude John Cena kept from exposing himself at Oscars 2024 - Los Angeles Times
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John Cena’s nude gag was among the Oscars’ best bits. How he avoided exposing his own

John Cena naked with an envelope over his groin and sandals standing on a stage next to a large beige setpiece
John Cena reminded the audience at the 96th Oscars on Sunday that “costumes are important.”
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
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A nearly nude John Cena pulled off one the most memorable jokes at the 96th Academy Awards, and backstage photos reveal how he did it.

The wrestler-actor made his presenting debut during Sunday’s ceremony in a bit that referenced the streaker who stormed the 1974 show. After Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel struggled to persuade Cena to re-create the act, the “Peacemaker” star instead preached the importance of costumes as he timidly held a giant envelope against his crotch.

“Costumes are important,” he told the Dolby Theatre audience. “They are so important, maybe the most important thing there is.”

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At the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, wrestling star turned actor John Cena made his Oscars debut — exposing way more than audiences were expecting to see.

March 10, 2024

Backstage photos captured by The Times confirmed that Cena wore more than just a pair of Birkenstock sandals as he presented the costume design category. “The Suicide Squad” star also wore a skin-toned modesty garment (often used in TV and film sex scenes) to conceal his rear and bare groin from audiences — and ABC censorship.

Two men in suits standing next to a mostly nude man wearing skin-toned underwear
John Cena, right, wearing a skin-colored undergarment, waiting backstage at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Cena’s short-lived, but memorable, Oscars moment ended with him wearing a drape-like cover-up to present the Oscar to “Poor Things” designer Holly Waddington.

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Times columnist Glenn Whipp wrote in Sunday’s live blog that Cena’s gag was unrehearsed. Clearly — with strong Twitter reactions and new GIFS inspired by the moment — it seems Cena’s nearly un-garmented gamble paid off.

 John Cena backstage in skin-tone underwear standing next to two men in suits
John Cena, right, prepares backstage to present the costume design award at the 96th Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Other highlights from Sunday’s ceremony include the return of the five-presenter format, Ryan Gosling’s electrifying “I’m Just Ken” performance and political statements from winners “Zone of Interest” director Jonathan Glazer and “20 Days in Mariupol” documentarian Mstyslav Chernov.

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The 96th Academy Awards aired live on ABC. “Oppenheimer” was the night’s big winner, taking home seven prizes including best picture.

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