The 90th Academy Awards, held on March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, was a night filled with memorable moments, from powerful speeches to unexpected surprises. Among the highlights was the presentation of the Best Actress award, where Jodie Foster and Jennifer Lawrence took the stage to announce the winner. However, what caught the audience’s attention wasn’t just the announcement of Frances McDormand’s win for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, but Foster’s appearance on crutches. In a lighthearted jest, Foster quipped that Meryl Streep had “I, Tonya-ed” her, referencing the infamous knee-clubbing incident from the biopic I, Tonya. This playful accusation sparked laughter and confusion, leading many to wonder if there was any truth to it. As it turns out, Streep was innocent, and the real culprit behind Foster’s injury was a skiing mishap. This article delves into the events of that night, the context behind Foster’s joke, the actual reason for her crutches, and the broader implications of the evening’s proceedings, including McDormand’s iconic speech on inclusion riders.

The 2018 Oscars: A Night of Triumphs and Social Commentary

The 2018 Oscars were hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for the second consecutive year, marking a ceremony that was both celebratory and reflective of Hollywood’s evolving landscape. The event came on the heels of the #MeToo movement and the Time’s Up initiative, which dominated conversations and red carpet interviews. Films like The Shape of Water, which won Best Picture, and Get Out, which earned Jordan Peele the Best Original Screenplay award, highlighted themes of diversity and social justice. The night also featured poignant moments, such as the standing ovation for Kobe Bryant’s win for Best Animated Short Film and the emotional tributes to industry veterans.

Amid these serious undertones, the ceremony needed levity, and Jodie Foster’s entrance provided just that. Foster, a two-time Oscar winner for The Accused (1988) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991), was no stranger to the stage. Her appearance alongside Jennifer Lawrence, who had won Best Actress in 2013 for Silver Linings Playbook, was anticipated as a powerhouse duo. However, Foster’s crutches and boot on her right leg immediately drew eyes. As she hobbled onto the stage, the audience buzzed with curiosity. Lawrence, ever the quick-witted presenter, asked, “What happened?” Foster’s response was a deadpan: “Meryl. She I, Tonya-ed me.” The reference to the 2017 film I, Tonya, which chronicles the scandal involving figure skater Tonya Harding and the attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan, elicited roars of laughter from the crowd, including Streep herself, who was nominated that night for The Post.

The joke was timely, as I, Tonya had been released just months earlier and earned Margot Robbie a Best Actress nomination and Allison Janney a Best Supporting Actress win. Foster’s quip played into the film’s narrative of rivalry and sabotage, positioning Streep—Hollywood’s most nominated actress with 21 nods—as a fictional villain. It was a clever nod to the competitive nature of awards season, but it also left viewers wondering about the truth behind Foster’s mobility aid.

The Joke Explained: A Nod to I, Tonya and Hollywood Rivalry

To fully appreciate Foster’s humor, one must understand the cultural context of I, Tonya. Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film is a dark comedy biopic that explores Harding’s life, focusing on the 1994 assault on Kerrigan, where Harding’s ex-husband hired a hitman to club Kerrigan’s knee. The phrase “I, Tonya-ed” became shorthand for underhanded tactics, and Foster’s use of it was a masterful bit of wordplay. By implicating Streep, Foster poked fun at the idea of cutthroat competition among actresses, especially given Streep’s dominance in the industry. Streep, seated in the front row, reacted with mock horror, shaking her head and laughing, which only amplified the moment’s charm.

This wasn’t the first time Foster and Streep had crossed paths at the Oscars. Both are legends in their own right—Foster with four nominations and two wins, Streep with her record-breaking accolades. Their shared history includes collaborations and mutual respect; Foster directed Streep in The Beaver (2011), and they’ve often spoken highly of each other. The joke, therefore, was clearly in good fun, a way for Foster to lighten the mood during a long ceremony. Lawrence played along, adding, “It’s true, it’s true,” before the duo moved on to announce McDormand’s win.

Social media erupted immediately after the broadcast. Tweets like “Jodie Foster just accused Meryl Streep of I, Tonya-ing her! #Oscars” flooded platforms, with fans speculating wildly. Some took the joke literally, leading to a flurry of fact-checking articles. As the night progressed, it became clear that Foster’s comment was satirical, but the intrigue lingered: what was the real story behind the crutches?

The Real Reason: A Skiing Accident, Not a Hollywood Feud

Contrary to the humorous accusation, Meryl Streep had nothing to do with Jodie Foster’s injury. According to Foster’s representative, who spoke exclusively to TheWrap shortly after the ceremony, the actress was on crutches due to a skiing accident that occurred a few weeks prior. The mishap happened during a family vacation, where Foster, an avid skier, took a tumble on the slopes, resulting in a knee injury that required immobilization. The rep emphasized that it was a minor setback, and Foster was expected to recover fully within a few months.

This revelation came as a relief to fans who had momentarily believed the Streep story. Foster herself addressed the incident in a post-Oscars interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying, “It was just a silly ski thing. Nothing dramatic like the movies.” She elaborated that the accident happened while she was trying to keep up with her children on a black diamond run, a testament to her adventurous spirit. At 55 years old during the 2018 Oscars, Foster was no stranger to physical challenges; her career has included demanding roles, from the intense training for The Silence of the Lambs to directing action-packed films.

Skiing injuries are common among celebrities, with notable examples including Arnold Schwarzenegger’s broken femur in 2006 and Gwyneth Paltrow’s highly publicized 2016 collision (which led to a 2023 lawsuit). Foster’s case was less severe, involving a sprain or minor fracture that necessitated crutches for mobility. Medical experts note that such injuries typically heal with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE method), often supplemented by physical therapy. Foster’s boot and crutches were standard for knee stabilization, preventing further damage during the Oscars’ rigorous schedule.

The timing of the injury added an extra layer of irony. The Oscars are a marathon event, with nominees and presenters often on their feet for hours during rehearsals and the show itself. Foster’s determination to fulfill her presenting duties despite the setback speaks to her professionalism. In a follow-up appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in April 2018, she joked, “I thought about backing out, but then I wouldn’t have gotten to blame Meryl!”

Reactions from Fans and Media: Laughter and Speculation

The media frenzy following Foster’s joke was swift and widespread. Outlets like Vanity Fair and E! News ran headlines such as “Jodie Foster Blames Meryl Streep for Her Crutches at the Oscars” before clarifying the truth. The clip of the moment went viral on YouTube, amassing over 2 million views within 24 hours, with comments ranging from “This is gold!” to “Poor Meryl, always the villain.” Social media platforms buzzed with memes, including photoshopped images of Streep wielding a baton like in I, Tonya and Foster dodging it on skis.

Fans appreciated the humor as a break from the night’s heavier topics, like the ongoing discussions about diversity and harassment in Hollywood. Portuguese media, often critical of the Oscars’ glamour, praised Foster’s wit, with one outlet calling it “a rare moment of self-deprecation in a sea of egos.” Streep herself responded lightheartedly at a post-Oscars party, telling reporters, “I’m innocent! But if Jodie needs a scapegoat, I’m honored.”

The incident also sparked conversations about aging in Hollywood. At 55, Foster represented a generation of actresses defying stereotypes, using crutches not as a sign of weakness but as fodder for comedy. Critics noted how her joke subverted expectations, turning a potential vulnerability into a strength. In an era where actresses like Streep and Foster advocate for better roles for women over 50, this moment highlighted their enduring relevance.

Profiles of the Key Players: Foster, Streep, and Lawrence

Jodie Foster’s career is a testament to versatility and longevity. Born on November 19, 1962, in Los Angeles, she began acting at age 3 in commercials and gained fame with Taxi Driver (1976), earning her first Oscar nomination at 14. Her wins for The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs established her as a dramatic powerhouse, while directing films like Little Man Tate (1991) and Money Monster (2016) showcased her behind-the-camera talents. By 2018, Foster was focusing on directing and selective acting, including her role in Hotel Artemis. Her personal life, including coming out as gay in 2013 and marrying Alexandra Hedison in 2014, has been marked by privacy and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

Meryl Streep, born June 22, 1949, in Summit, New Jersey, is the epitome of acting excellence. With 21 Oscar nominations and three wins (Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, The Iron Lady), she holds the record for most nominations. In 2018, Streep was nominated for The Post, her portrayal of Katharine Graham earning praise. Known for her activism, Streep has championed women’s rights and environmental causes, often using awards speeches to address social issues. Her friendship with Foster dates back decades, making the joke even more endearing.

Jennifer Lawrence, born August 15, 1990, in Indian Hills, Kentucky, was Hollywood’s it-girl in 2018. Her Oscar win for Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and roles in The Hunger Games franchise made her a box office draw. At the Oscars, Lawrence’s playful banter with Foster highlighted her comedic timing, a skill honed in films like American Hustle (2013). Lawrence’s career has since evolved, with a focus on producing and selective acting post-Dark Phoenix (2019).

The Broader Oscars Night: McDormand’s Inclusion Rider Speech

While Foster’s crutches provided comic relief, Frances McDormand’s acceptance speech stole the show with its call for change. Winning her second Oscar for Three Billboards, McDormand urged female nominees to stand, declaring, “We all have stories to tell.” She ended with “inclusion rider,” a term coined by Stacy Smith of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. An inclusion rider is a contractual clause ensuring diversity in casting and crew, allowing stars to demand representation for women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities.

McDormand’s mention sparked a movement. Post-Oscars, searches for “inclusion rider” surged 500%, per Google Trends. Celebrities like Brie Larson and Michael B. Jordan adopted it, with Larson announcing in June 2018 she’d require riders in her contracts. The initiative addressed Hollywood’s diversity gaps, where women held only 32% of speaking roles in 2017 films, per a USC Annenberg study. McDormand’s speech, delivered with raw energy, reinforced the night’s theme of empowerment, echoing the #MeToo momentum from Harvey Weinstein’s downfall.

Legacy of the Moment: Humor in Hollywood’s High Stakes

The “crutches joke” has endured as a symbol of Hollywood’s ability to laugh at itself. In a 2023 retrospective by Vanity Fair, Foster reflected, “It was spontaneous, but it captured the spirit of the night—fun amid the seriousness.” The incident highlighted the human side of stars, reminding viewers that even icons like Foster deal with everyday mishaps. It also boosted I, Tonya‘s profile, with sales spiking 20% post-Oscars, per Nielsen data.

For Foster, the injury was a minor blip in a storied career. By 2019, she was back directing, helming episodes of Black Mirror and Tales from the Loop. Her advocacy work continued, including speaking at the 2018 Women’s March. Streep, too, remained a force, starring in Big Little Lies and The Prom, her Oscar tally unchanged but her influence undiminished.

Conclusion

Jodie Foster’s crutch-clad appearance at the 2018 Oscars, punctuated by her Meryl Streep joke, was a delightful diversion in a night of cinematic celebration and social reckoning. While the quip referenced I, Tonya‘s drama, the truth—a simple skiing accident—proved far less scandalous. This moment, alongside Frances McDormand’s rallying cry for inclusion riders, encapsulated the Oscars’ blend of humor, heart, and activism. As Hollywood continues to evolve, Foster’s witty resilience serves as a reminder that even in the face of injury or industry challenges, laughter and progress go hand in hand.