7 Shocking Details Of The Halle Berry And Adrien Brody Oscars Kiss Saga, 22 Years Later

The legendary, controversial kiss between Halle Berry and Adrien Brody has been a staple of Academy Awards lore for over two decades, but the story took a stunning, fresh turn at the 2025 ceremony. This unexpected reunion and "payback" kiss on the red carpet, a full 22 years after the original, unscripted moment, immediately became the most talked-about event of the night, proving that Hollywood history—and a little bit of playful revenge—never truly fades. As of December 2025, the full context of their two iconic embraces is now being re-examined, from the initial shock to the modern-day reaction of their respective partners. The 2025 interaction was a deliberate, lighthearted recreation of a moment that had been widely debated for years, bringing a sense of closure and humor to an event that was once seen as a display of on-stage power dynamics. Here is an in-depth look at the full saga, the controversy, and the current lives of the two Oscar-winning stars.

Halle Berry and Adrien Brody: A Dual Biography and Profile

Before the kisses, both Halle Berry and Adrien Brody had already cemented their places in cinematic history with groundbreaking, Oscar-winning performances. Their professional lives, though rarely intersecting, are defined by their status as Academy Award royalty.

Halle Maria Berry

• Born: August 14, 1966, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
• Occupation: Actress, Former Model, Producer.
• Career Highlights: Berry is the first and, to date, only African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
• Major Awards: Academy Award (Best Actress for *Monster's Ball*), Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award.
• Key Films: *Jungle Fever* (1991), *X-Men* franchise (as Storm), *Monster's Ball* (2001), *Die Another Day* (2002), *Catwoman* (2004).
• Current Partner: Musician Van Hunt (since 2020).

Adrien Nicholas Brody

• Born: April 14, 1973, Woodhaven, Queens, New York, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Producer, Artist.
• Career Highlights: Brody became the youngest person to win the Academy Award for Best Actor at age 29.
• Major Awards: Academy Award (Best Actor for *The Pianist*), César Award.
• Key Films: *The Pianist* (2002), *King Kong* (2005), *The Grand Budapest Hotel* (2014), *Succession* (TV Series).
• Current Partner: Fashion designer Georgina Chapman (since early 2020).

7 Shocking Details of the 22-Year Oscars Kiss Saga

The connection between the two stars is not a romantic one, but a complex, two-part moment of spontaneous public affection that bookends two decades of Hollywood history. The story began with a moment of controversial passion and concluded with a moment of playful closure.

1. The Original 2003 Kiss Was Completely Unscripted

The initial kiss occurred at the 75th Academy Awards in 2003. Halle Berry, having won Best Actress the previous year for *Monster's Ball*, was presenting the award for Best Actor. When Adrien Brody was announced as the winner for his performance in *The Pianist*, he immediately grabbed Berry and planted a long, passionate, and completely unscripted kiss on her.

2. Brody’s Actions Drew Immediate Criticism

While Brody later described the kiss as an overwhelming, spontaneous burst of emotion and "pure joy" in the moment, it drew criticism from many who viewed it as a non-consensual act, taking advantage of his position and Berry’s surprise. The moment was instantly memorable, but also immediately controversial.

3. Halle Berry Called the Kiss 'Payback' 21 Years Later

In the years following the 2003 event, Berry made light of the moment but also expressed her surprise. The long-awaited "payback" came at the 2025 Oscars, a full 22 years later. While on the red carpet, Berry approached Brody and surprised him with a kiss of her own, a clear reversal of the 2003 dynamic.

4. The 2025 Kiss Was a Viral Red Carpet Moment

The moment on the 2025 red carpet was captured and instantly went viral, with the official Academy Awards account posting a video of the interaction with the caption: "A reunion 22 years in the making." Social media users widely celebrated the moment, viewing it as a symbolic and humorous way for Berry to get the "last laugh."

5. Brody's Girlfriend Was On Board with the Recreation

Adrien Brody’s current girlfriend, fashion designer Georgina Chapman, was present on the red carpet and had a "front-row seat" to the recreated kiss. Chapman later addressed the moment, confirming that she was "on board" with the lighthearted recreation and understood the historical context of the joke, squashing any potential dating rumors.

6. The 2003 Kiss Was Not Their Only Controversial Moment

The original 2003 ceremony was fraught with tension for Brody. Before his controversial kiss with Berry, he was also criticized for an awkward moment involving his partner at the time, Georgina Chapman. As he walked up to accept his award, Brody was seen spitting out chewing gum and throwing it toward Chapman, an act that drew further criticism for being disrespectful.

7. Both Stars Are in Happy, Committed Relationships

Despite the sensational nature of the two kisses, both actors are currently in long-term, committed relationships with other partners. Halle Berry has been happily dating musician Van Hunt since 2020, referring to him as her "person." Similarly, Adrien Brody has been in a relationship with Georgina Chapman since early 2020. The 2025 kiss was purely a nostalgic, humorous exchange between two colleagues who share a unique piece of Oscars history.

The Legacy of the Oscars Kiss: From Controversy to Comedy

The Halle Berry and Adrien Brody saga serves as a perfect microcosm of how Hollywood moments evolve over time. What began in 2003 as a spontaneous, arguably boundary-crossing act of passion—the "unassuming" Best Actor winner kissing the reigning Best Actress—has been transformed by the 2025 "payback" into a moment of collective, celebratory humor. The 2025 interaction allowed both stars to acknowledge the infamous 2003 event on their own terms, turning a controversial memory into a viral, feel-good story. This playful recreation, 22 years in the making, highlights a shift in public perception and a new era of celebrity transparency, where even the most shocking awards show moments can be revisited and reframed with a wink and a smile. The iconic kiss, now a duo of kisses, remains one of the most unforgettable moments in Academy Awards history.