The kiss between editor Andy Jurgensen and his partner became one of the most talked-about moments of the Oscars

At the 98th Academy Awards ceremony The episode featuring Andy Jurgensen went viral, who won the award for best editing for Paul Thomas Anderson’s film *Battle After Battle*. Before taking the stage to accept his award, Jürgensen kissed his longtime partner Bill on live TV.

How did that happen?

When the winner in the “Best Editing” category was announced, all the cameras were trained on the table where Jürgensen was sitting. Jürgensen rose from his seat and, before going up to accept the award, hugged and kissed his partner.

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From the stage, during his acceptance speech, the editor addressed him personally: "Thank you to my partner Bill, who brings so much joy into my life every day.". Jürgensen also dedicated the award to his aunt, Barbara Hall, who worked as an archivist at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for more than 25 years and taught him the history of cinema.

Reaction

Footage of the kiss instantly spread across social media and the global media, sparking a heated debate. On X (formerly Twitter), users called it "one of the most beautiful moments of the ceremony" and an important step toward increasing the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in the industry.

Some commentators noted that such gestures at events of this scale help normalize diversity and foster acceptance in society. At the same time, specialized media outlets have called for displays of affection between same-sex partners at award ceremonies to be viewed as natural in the future and to no longer be treated as a separate news story.

• Andy Jurgensen is Paul Thomas Anderson’s longtime collaborator. He previously worked as an editor on the director’s films, including *Licorice Pizza*, *Phantom Thread*, and *Inherent Vice*. His work on the epic action film *Battle for Battle* earned him not only an Oscar but also BAFTA and Critics’ Choice awards. Jürgensen’s acceptance speech was a highlight of the evening, during which his film took home a total of six Oscars, including the award for “Best Picture.”