These Backstage Oscars Photos Show the Moment the Accountant Messed Up the Envelopes
Didn't your mom ever tell you not to play with your phone during red carpet events?


Three days have passed since the unprecedented Best Picture fiasco—which singlehandedly turned the 2017 Oscars from uneventful to infamous—and we're still piecing together exactly how La La Land was erroneously announced as Best Picture instead of the night's actual winner, Moonlight.
We know that presenter Warren Beatty was handed the wrong envelope backstage—the one meant for Best Lead Actress winner Emma Stone—and that accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers were to blame. But the details beyond that are still fuzzy, so much so that Beatty himself is calling on the Academy president to "publicly clarify what happened as soon as possible."
Now, Variety has released new photos from backstage that show how PricewaterhouseCooper' Brian Cullinan came to make his critical error. Let's walk down this road of clusterfuckery together, shall we?
11:53 p.m. ET
Beatty hugs Best Actor winner Casey Affleck backstage. Cullinan can be seen nearby, holding two red envelopes in his left hand, along with his cellphone. As Variety's story suggests, these two envelopes most likely contain the winners of the final two categories of the night: Best Actress and Best Picture.
Let's take a closer look:
One of these envelopes—notably, the wrong one—ended up in Beatty's hand.
A few minutes later...
Beatty watches the monitor backstage as the Best Actress award is presented. (Congrats, Emma Stone!) Cullinan is beside him.
12:05 a.m. ET
Cullinan tweets a now-deleted picture of Emma Stone backstage. Reports emerged after Sunday's debacle that he was asked not to tweet during the ceremony. So inevitably people think this was the moment he got distracted (you had one job, Brian!) and hey, we've all been there—just not on a stage this public.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
12:12 a.m. ET
Dunaway announces that La La Land has won Best Picture. Below, she's pictured holding the wrong envelope—for Best Lead Actress, which Cullinan had handed Beatty backstage.
You know the rest. The La La Land producers made their way to the stage and were midway through their acceptance speeches when they were alerted to the error. Watch the WTF moment here:
A post shared by Marie Claire (@marieclairemag)
A photo posted by on
Three-and-a-half minutes after the incorrect announcement, Cullinan appears on stage, where his colleague Martha Ruiz hands him the correct envelope. Below, La La Land producer Fred Berger (the "We lost, by the way" guy) speaks at the microphone while Cullinan confers with Ruiz and production staff.
And there you have it. PwC already confirmed in a statement Monday that Cullinan was responsible for handing Beatty the wrong envelope, and that he "feels very, very terrible and horrible" about the mistake.
Here's Cullinan and Ruiz in happier times.
The next time you're having a bad day at work, spare a kind thought for Cullinan.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Emma Dibdin is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles who writes about culture, mental health, and true crime. She loves owls, hates cilantro, and can find the queer subtext in literally anything.
-
Harry Was Allegedly Crushed When William Received "Special Treatment"
"Poor Harry's face across the table," Princess Diana's former butler recalled.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Wasn't Informed About King Charles's Hospitalization
"It looks like the duke only found out about his father's latest health update through the media."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jennifer Lawrence Styles a $7,500 Outfit With $100 Sneakers
The actress paired Prada and Celine with her $100 footwear.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
In 'Opus,' Cult Leaders and Pop Stars Are One in the Same
The A24 film's costume and production designers open up about crafting fictional pop icon Moretti’s style and mysterious estate.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' Is a Revolutionary Call to Speak Up Against Female Abuse
After showing how a culture of silence around abuse can devastate entire generations, the arresting A24 film holds a mirror up to the audience and asks, \201cWhat happens if we scream?\201d
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
'Anora' Star Mikey Madison Takes Home the Best Actress Award at the 2025 Oscars in a Surprise Win
"I will continue to support and be an ally."
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Zoe Saldaña Becomes the First American of Dominican Origin to Win an Oscar
"I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award and I know I will not be the last."
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
LISA, Doja Cat, and Raye Perform a Glamorous 'James Bond' Tribute at the 2025 Oscars
The Academy Awards are for the pop girls, actually.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Open the 2025 Oscars With a Showstopping 'Wicked' Performance
The awards show began with a medley of songs inspired by the Best Picture-nominated film and adaptations of 'The Wizard of Oz.'
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Everything to Know About the 2025 Oscars, From How to Watch to the Nominations
It's bound to be an unpredictable awards show.
By Quinci LeGardye Last updated
-
Cazzie David Spent Five Years Fighting to Make an "Anti-Rom-Com" About Emotional Abuse
The writer/actress opens up about how she found catharsis after a breakup by making 'I Love You Forever.'
By Sadie Bell Published