Every Oscars award show brings the internet a new meme. After this year’s (very eventful) broadcast, Nicole Kidman has become the newest addition to the tradition.
The 94th Academy Awards was held on Monday the 28th of March and saw CODA take home Best Picture. It also—as these kinds of events always seem to do—brought a bunch of drama to entertain the internet.
Most notably, the most talked-about moment of the night, when Will Smith got up on stage and slapped Chris Rock. This buzz moment has become a meme in itself, but the one currently taking social media by storm is courtesy of Nicole Kidman.
It isn’t the #Oscars until we have a truly insane Nicole Kidman reaction image. pic.twitter.com/KSk9wTs8oK
— Devan Coggan (@devancoggan) March 28, 2022
Kidman is no stranger to getting the meme treatment. In fact, at an earlier Oscars, she became meme culture’s new darling after seemingly not knowing how to clap like a regular person.
Nicole Kidman or extremely well-disguised seal? pic.twitter.com/dE7L1DdEKS
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) February 27, 2017
What meme has Nicole Kidman become this time?
This year’s meme consists of a photo of Kidman looking exaggeratedly shocked. Some are saying this was her reaction to the infamous slap, but in truth, this photo comes from a different part of the ceremony.
Nicole Kidman reacting to the Chris Rock and Will Smith incident at the #Oscars . A NEW MEME IS BORN.???? pic.twitter.com/X19AE19OUv
— Mauli Adam (@mauli_adam) March 28, 2022
It was, however, quickly used as a way to joke about the Will Smith moment.
Can we just all agree that Nicole Kidman deserves an #Oscar for her reaction to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock? ? pic.twitter.com/prtXJiE00l
— ???? Anis Jerbi ???? (@ArtistAJ17) March 28, 2022
As is the way with the internet, however, the image started being used in an entirely different way.
My reaction when it turns out this is actually not a picture of Nicole Kidman reacting to the Slap. https://t.co/iZrMGKoZC8 pic.twitter.com/nFxfq539kE
— iPaulie (@iPaulie) March 29, 2022
Nicole Kidman: exists
— Christian Cortave (@CCortave24) March 28, 2022
Me: pic.twitter.com/MufXnwY2CA
I wonder what the next Oscars meme will be. Fingers crossed Kidman can have a few years off, considering she’s been the focus twice now.
Nicole Kidman is one of the greatest actresses.I think she should win an Oscar just for being Nicole Kidman
— evan (@evan49100080) March 21, 2022
For more information on the events surrounding the Chris Rock / Will Smith Oscars drama, don’t worry: we’ve got you covered.