Oscar nominee Teyana Taylor has responded to criticism over her high-energy demeanour during the 98th Academy Awards held on March 16 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The backlash began after her film One Battle After Another won Best Picture.
Taylor, who played Perfidia Beverly Hills, celebrated the moment by playfully putting director Paul Thomas Anderson in a headlock as they made their way to the stage.
The moment quickly went viral, with some critics describing her behaviour as “too much” for the formal ceremony. However, many fans defended her, arguing she was simply expressing genuine joy.
It was not the only moment that drew attention. When presenter Zoe Saldaña announced Amy Madigan as Best Supporting Actress for Weapons, Taylor immediately jumped to her feet in support.
Despite strong competition from Wunmi Mosaku, Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, her enthusiastic reaction to losing sparked mixed reactions online, with one critic claiming “something was off.” Taylor responded directly, insisting she was genuinely happy for Madigan.
“The world holds so much misery that miserable hearts forget the face of happiness,” she wrote.
Doubling down, the A Thousand and One actress defended what she described as real sportsmanship.
“They grow comfortable being sore losers, so when they see real sportsmanship, it unsettles them! like holy water touching a demon. Because clapping for someone else’s victory requires something many people never learned…how to win with grace & pure joy, and how to lose with grace, chin up & dignity,” she added.
A tense backstage moment further complicated the night. In a video seen by TNX Africa, Taylor appeared in a heated exchange with a security guard after the ceremony.
The world holds so much misery that miserable hearts forget the face of happiness.
They grow comfortable being sore losers, so when they see real sportsmanship it unsettles them! like holy water touching a demon. Because clapping for someone else’s victory requires something many… https://t.co/FxDGDhJseL
— TEYANA M.J. TAYLOR (@TEYANATAYLOR) March 16, 2026
She and Pam Abdi were attempting to return to the stage for a Best Picture group photo when the guard allegedly blocked their path and made physical contact.
“You’re a man putting your hands on a female,” Taylor is heard saying in the footage, repeatedly calling the conduct “rude.”
Following the incident, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a statement, according to Variety.
“We were extremely upset to learn about the experience endured by Teyana Taylor at the end of the Oscars ceremony last night. We have worked with Teyana over the last several months during awards season, and she has been nothing short of remarkable, supportive, kind, and all about community.”
The Academy added that although the incident involved its external security firm, SIS, it takes responsibility for guest experiences and has made it clear that such behaviour is unacceptable.
Taylor later reposted the apology on X, thanking the Academy for its support.
Online reactions remain divided.
One user, Killuasprint, wrote, “People really watched Teyana Taylor enjoy herself throughout award season and decided that was embarrassing. I’m sorry she didn’t sit there looking miserable.”
Another user, Andrea Riesen, criticised her actions, saying, “What should’ve been a moment of elegance turned into a cringeworthy display of total disrespect. Headlocking Paul Thomas Anderson and snatching the Oscar before Sara Murphy and the other rightful producers could even receive it! Shameless. Zero poise, zero awareness. Learn to act with grace.”