He bared it all.
Former wrestler turned actor John Cena, 46, turned heads when he appeared to come out onto the Oscars stage in his birthday suit.
Cena went onstage nude at the movies’ biggest night as part of a comedy bit.
During Sunday night’s 2024 Oscars, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the comedian paused in the middle of the ceremony to reflect on how a streaker ran across the stage at the 46th Oscars in 1974.
“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.”
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 curtain.
“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!”
The former wrestler then walked out onstage seemingly fully nude (with the large presenter’s envelope held in a strategic location, obscuring his privates).
He segued into presenting the Best Costumes 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 one.
“I can’t open the envelope,” he added.
Kimmel offered aid and announced the nominations so Cena wouldn’t flash the audience. (“Poor Things” took home the Oscar).
Kimmel 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 in his birthday suit 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 that Cena had precautions in place to prevent a wardrobe malfunction – perhaps learning a lesson from pop culture’s biggest wardrobe malfunction from twenty years ago; the infamous Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake “nipplegate” event from 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 had dropped that strategically placed envelope.