Cate Blanchett’s Oscars Shoutout to Julia Roberts Stuns Viewers
Cate Blanchett left the Oscars audience speechless when she told Julia Roberts to “suck it” during her acceptance speech. The unexpected moment, later revealed as a private joke, marked a playful farewell to a year both actresses found forgettable.
When Cate Blanchett took the stage to accept one of Hollywood’s highest honors, she delivered a line that left the audience—and millions watching at home—completely baffled. Turning her attention to Julia Roberts, Blanchett declared,
“Julia, hashtag suck it.”
The comment, delivered with a grin, sparked instant speculation. Was there bad blood between the two stars? Was Blanchett gloating after her win for ‘Blue Jasmine’ while Roberts, nominated for ‘August: Osage County,’ left empty-handed? Or was it something else entirely?
As it turns out, the answer was a mix of humor, friendship, and a shared sense of relief that the year was finally over. Blanchett and Roberts, both celebrated for their work and often crossing paths at major events, had made a pact before the ceremony. If either of them won, they’d mark the occasion with a memorable sendoff to what they both considered a lackluster year. Their inside joke was meant to be a private nod, but Blanchett’s bold delivery made it a public spectacle.
Inside the Oscars Moment
Backstage, reporters pressed Blanchett for an explanation. She played coy, saying only,
“It happened in the bar with Ms Roberts, and that’s all I’m prepared to say.”
When asked again, she looked straight into the camera, pointed, and warned,
“Watch it, Julia, I’m coming for your ass.”
The playful threat only deepened the mystery, fueling rumors and keeping fans guessing about the real story behind the exchange.
For more than a year, Blanchett let the speculation simmer. The moment became one of the most talked-about highlights of the awards season, replayed and dissected by fans and media alike. It wasn’t until she appeared on late-night TV that she finally shed some light on the situation.
A Pact Between Friends
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Blanchett explained the backstory.
“It was a pretty crappy year, so it was like, ‘Farewell 2013,’”
she said. The two friends had agreed that if either of them made it to the podium, they’d say goodbye to the year in a way no one would forget. Blanchett joked,
“We said that if either of us had the good fortune to be up there, we had to kiss it on the ass, goodbye. I didn’t kiss her ass… I wouldn’t mind.”
Her explanation, while clarifying the intent, only added to the humor and absurdity of the original moment.
Blanchett’s words were meant as a tongue-in-cheek farewell to a year both actresses were happy to leave behind. The fact that she singled out Roberts, rather than making a general statement, made the joke even more personal—and more memorable.
The Joke Lives On
Years later, the story took another turn. When Blanchett won the Critics’ Choice Award for ‘Tár,’ Roberts presented her with a bottle of mouthwash backstage. The gesture, a playful callback to their Oscars moment, showed that the joke—and their friendship—was still very much alive. For those with a mischievous sense of humor, the meaning behind the gift was clear enough.
What started as a private agreement between two friends became one of the most unforgettable moments in awards show history, proving that even Hollywood’s biggest stars aren’t above a little mischief on the world’s biggest stage.