The world was taken by surprise as X-Games alumni Tony Hawk, Olympic snowboarder Shaun White and legendary surfboarder Kelly Slater, were expected to present at the Oscars earlier this year. Before the Will Smith incident took the media by storm, people were more focused on the athletes who looked very different from their usual selves, donning tuxedos.

In March 2022, the three were asked to be the speakers for the celebration of the 60-year anniversary of the James Bond franchise at the Oscars. After the event, Slater took to his social media to share pictures of the event. In one such picture, the three are seen accompanied by one of the tennis greatest Serena and Venus Williams.

Kelly Slater shared a priceless picture with his fans

In the picture shared by the 11x World Surf League champion, the athlete is seen sharing the frame with Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Shaun White, and Tony Hawk. All of them donning Oscar-worthy attire. 

In a conversation with an Oscars producer, World Surf League CEO Erik Logan had the idea to include “world-class action sports stars” in the planned homage to James Bond. The three athletes, Slater, Hawk, and White, are already close friends because they frequently go surfing together.

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It’s difficult to avoid seeing the choice from the perspective of the Academy’s greater objective to increase viewership in the wake of an all-time low number of viewers in 2017. Beyoncé’s performance of her nominated song “Be Alive” from the King Richard soundtrack was presented by tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. Pop legend Billie Eilish also had a primetime spot.

This year’s Oscar was muddled in controversies

At the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith stormed the stage to slap presenter Chris Rock after he made an insensitive joke about Smith’s wife. The moment quickly went viral.

Later, Smith made a formal apology during his acceptance speech for the best actor award for King Richard, a tennis biopic involving the life of Richard Williams, Serena, and Venus’ father. In conclusion, the audience clapped nervously as Smith said, “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.”

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What did you feel while watching the live telecast of the Oscars this year? Let us know in the comments.