John Cena, 46, turned heads when he appeared to come out onto the 2024 Oscars stage in his birthday suit.
Cena went onstage nude at the movies’ biggest night as part of a comedy bit at LA’s Dolby Theatre.
During Sunday night’s 96th Academy Awards, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the comedian paused in the middle of the ceremony to reflect on how a streaker had run across the Oscars stage in the 1970s.
“At the 46th Academy Awards, 1974, David Niven was in the middle of introducing Elizabeth Taylor when a nude man — a streaker — ran across the stage,” Kimmel told the star-studded crowd.
John Cena preparing to come out onstage “nude.”DISNEY via Getty Images
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Apparently naked John Cena onstage at the 2024 Oscars to present the award for Best Costume Design.Getty Images
With a pointed pause, Kimmel said, “Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?”
He repeated the line after nothing happened, making it clear that he was prompting someone.
Cena then walked out, apparently nude but hiding his bottom half behind a piece of the set.
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“I changed my mind, I don’t want to do the streaker bit anymore,” Cena told Kimmel, appearing to get cold feet.
“I don’t feel right about it,” Cena continued.
“It’s an elegant event! You should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless idea!”
Cena also added, “The male body is not a joke!”
John Cena pretended to get cold feet before boldly coming out onstage nude.AFP via Getty Images
Jimmy Kimmel and John Cena at the 2024 Oscars during the “streaker” sketch.Getty Images
The former wrestler then came out from hiding and held a large presenter’s envelope in a strategic location, obscuring his privates.
He segued into presenting the Best Costume award, because, as he pointed out, “Costumes… they are so important. Maybe the most important thing there is,” Cena said — referring to his lack of attire.
“I can’t open the envelope,” he added.
Jimmy Kimmel made a toga for a nude John Cena.ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Kimmel offered aid and announced the nominations so Cena wouldn’t flash the audience. (“Poor Things” costume designer Holly Waddington took home the Oscar.) The late-night host then gamely brought over fabric to make Cena look more “appropriate” for the public, and draped it into a garment similar to a toga.
But, was Cena really fully naked in front of Hollywood’s A-listers — a crowd including Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Mahershala Ali, Issa Rae and more?
Backstage photos reveal John Cena wearing a modesty patch over his privates.AMPAS/AFP via Getty Images
John Cena had precautions to avoid flashing the audience.X/@etnow
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Backstage photos reveal that Cena had precautions in place to prevent a wardrobe malfunction — perhaps learning a lesson from pop culture’s biggest wardrobe malfunction from 20 years ago: the infamous Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake “nipplegate” event from the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.
In the snaps, the “Peacemaker” actor can be seen wearing a modesty pouch covering his privates both in the front and the back, in the event that he dropped that strategically placed envelope.
