Did Shia LaBeouf Mock Actor With Down Syndrome At The Oscars?

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Shia LaBeouf has come under fire after the Oscars after he was accused of making fun of the actor with Down syndrome with whom he presented one of the awards at the gala held in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The 33-year-old actor shared the stage with actor Zack Gottsagen, his partner in the movie The Peanut Butter Falcon, who at times struggled to find the words in front of the microphone.

The controversy started when both were presenting the nominees in the category of best action short. Faced with his partner's difficulties in reading his part of the presentation, LaBeouf looks a little uncomfortable and then laugh.

The criticisms were immediate and some viewers of the gala accused the actor on Twitter of, among other things, being impatient, insensitive or unprofessional with his partner.

Director Alma Hare'l came to the defense of LaBeouf, who stars in her film Honey Boy, in the face of avalanches of criticism on the networks.

“Shia was offered to present the Oscars. She said she would if she could share the moment with her beloved partner Zach Gottsagen, whom we all adore. There's a lot of stress going on up there [on stage],”said Hare'l.

Gottsagen, 35, made history by becoming the first person with Down syndrome to present an Oscar.

Both actors were cast partners in the movie The Peanut Butter Falcon, which tells the story of a young man with Down syndrome who runs away from the nursing home where he lives to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler.