The Academy is addressing the incident involving Teyana Taylor and a security guard during the Oscars ceremony.
In a statement provided to Variety, the organization said it was “extremely upset to learn about the experience endured by Teyana Taylor at the end of the Oscars ceremony last night.” The Academy also noted that it had worked closely with Taylor throughout awards season and described her as “nothing short of remarkable, supportive, kind, and all about community.”
While the altercation involved an outside security firm, the organization emphasized that the experience of every guest remains its responsibility. Officials also confirmed they have addressed the situation with the security company and made it clear the behavior was unacceptable.
“We want to thank Teyana for showing remarkable grace, and we are taking the appropriate measures to ensure this does not happen again,” the statement continued.
According to a source who witnessed the moment and spoke to Variety, the situation happened shortly after “One Battle After Another” won the Oscar for Best Picture. Warner Bros. film executives Pam Abdy and Mike DeLuca were reportedly trying to get back onto the stage for a cast and crew photo that was scheduled to take place during the ceremony.
The source said Taylor stepped down from the stage to help Abdy reach the area. However, when they attempted to return, a security guard allegedly stopped them. “Pam Abdy and Mike DeLuca were having trouble getting up onto the stage, so Teyana came down to get Pam, and when she went to go back up, there was a security guard who forcibly stopped them from going back to the stage and put his hands on Teyana,” the source said.
The witness also claimed the guard had already seen Taylor walk down from the stage earlier in the moment.
“The guy had watched her walk down, and when they went to go back up, he forcibly was trying to stop them.” The source added that the guard reportedly told Taylor, “You owe me an apology,” which made the situation more tense.
Security Industry Specialists, Inc., the company responsible for event security, also acknowledged the interaction. In a statement, the company said there was a brief exchange that involved “incidental contact” while staff worked to manage a crowded area and maintain safety for guests. The company also stated the moment did not meet its expected level of professionalism and confirmed the issue had been addressed internally.
Taylor later downplayed the situation while speaking with TMZ.
“Security was just doing a lot,” she said. “There’s always that one, but I’m perfectly fine. I’m happy. There’s nothing to wonder. The first thing people do is definitely make assumptions. But at the end of the day, I just don’t tolerate disrespect, especially when it’s unwarranted and unprovoked.”
Despite the incident, One Battle After Another had a dominant night at the Oscars. The Paul Thomas Anderson film took home six awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Casting, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn.
