KEVIN COSTNER REFUSES TO SHARE STAGE WITH WHOOPI GOLDBERG AT THE OSCARS, SPARKING MAJOR CONTROVERSY Full story

U.S. actor Kevin Costner did not refuse to stand on stage at the Academy Awards with actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, contrary to a narrative shared online.

The claim first originated on a satire site, but surfaced months later without any satire labels on social media.

One account shared side-by-side photographs of Goldberg and Costner on Threads on July 29, opens new tab with a caption that says: “Kevin Costner Refused to be on the Same Stage with Whoopi Goldberg at the Oscars ‘Not if my life depend on it.

’”An individual said in the comments: “But who exactly does think he is Does he think he is more human than her? Good radiance (sic) to bad rubbish.

Another added: “What’s his problem with her, I know she is an outspoken person with strong views. But what’s the reason..???”
The post links to an article on a website called

This story is not true,” a spokesperson for Costner said to Reuters in an email, adding: “Kevin considers Whoopi a dear friend.

False. Actor Kevin Costner did not refuse to stand on stage alongside fellow actor Whoopi Goldberg at the Oscars.

A spokesperson for Costner said the claim is untrue, and the earliest iteration of the narrative was published by a satire website in March