The 2025 Oscars awards ceremony took place on February 23 at the Dolby Theatre, but the biggest drama wasn’t on stage, but backstage, when “Yellowstone” and “Dances with Wolves” star Kevin Costner flatly refused to appear with Whopi Goldberg. The incident occurred right before a major award show, prompting organizers to rush to change the script. Costner later explained his actions with a brief but weighty statement: “Evil people are not worthy here,” sparking a flurry of speculation about the conflict between the two big names in Hollywood.
According to people present at the event, Costner was originally set to give the dedication to the career with Goldberg, who used to be the family MC for the Oscars. But just minutes before the broadcast, he suddenly left the staging area, informing producers that he would not be on stage with her. A backstage source revealed that Costner had expressed dissatisfaction with Goldberg earlier, regarding her comments about “the opinion” on politics and culture — topics Costner often kept away from the public. Although it was not in detail, it seemed to refer to a deeper conflict by leaving a hidden message.
The reaction of the Hollywood community was divided into two distinct currents. Some Costner supporters praised him for his consistency. One writer in X: “Kevin knows his worth, there is no need to be false to anyone.” Meanwhile, Goldberg’s fans responded harshly, calling this action “unprofessional” and “childish.” It was Goldberg, at the “viewing” just after the awards ceremony, who responded lightly but no less sharply: “I don’t know what it is about him, but I’m still here, and the Oscars are still great.”
The Academy declined to comment officially, only confirming that the last-minute change was “to ensure the show went smoothly.” However, the case has heated up discussions about solidarity in Hollywood, especially in the context of the industry facing many divisions. With Costner preparing to release the sequel to “Horizon: An American Saga” and Goldberg continuing to lead the lead role on television, this may not be the last time the two clash. Will this contradiction fall into oblivion, or will it rise into a public battle? Only time can answer, but currently, the story of Costner and Goldberg is the focus of all eyes.