Amy Schumer has assured fans that she is familiar with the name Kirsten Dunst.
The comedian, who co-hosted Sunday’s Oscars, posted a statement on her Instagram Story on Monday in response to the backlash she received for an ill-timed performance with the Power of the Dog nominee at the received an Oscar.
In her post, Schumer clarified that the joke was not improvised and that Dunst signed it.
“Hey, I appreciate the love for Kirsten Dunst,” she said loudly numerous Media and screenshots posted on social media. “I love her too! That was a choreographed part that she was involved in.”
Amy Schumer addresses the Kirsten Dunst seat-filler joke controversy via Instagram Stories: “Hey, I appreciate the love for Kirsten Dunst. I love you to! That was a choreographed part that she was involved with. Wouldn’t treat this queen with such disrespect.” pic.twitter.com/fI3SFkOF1L
— Movie Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 28, 2022
“I wouldn’t disrespect that queen like that,” she added.
During the ceremony, the “Life & Beth” star decided to join Dunst and her partner Jesse Plemons in a demonstration of what seat fillers do at the Oscars. Plemons and Dunst were both nominated for their roles in The Power of the Dog. It was also the first time both actors received an Oscar nomination at all. However, no one won.
In her part, Schumer identified Dunst as one of the show’s anonymous seat fillers and then pulled her from her chair to send her away. Then she took Dunst’s place, leaned over to Plemons and said:
“Jesse, I loved you in The Power of the Dog.”
“You know, that was my wife, Amy,” Plemons said, apparently not amused.
“You married to that seat filler?” said Schumer.
Though it was unclear at the moment if the joke was planned, considering it happened after “the slap,” a joke about stigmatizing another actor’s wife fell flat among Oscar viewers.
More awkward moments at the Oscars: Amy Schumer unseated Kirsten Dunst in one of the saddest jokes of all time, calling her a “seat filler” and prompting husband Jesse Plemons to say, “You know that was my wife?” pic.twitter.com/GrTKLH8dfa
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 28, 2022
Dunst has been open in the past about how she feels like Hollywood doesn’t take her seriously as an actress, to the point that many fans thought an unexpected joke questioning her worth would have been painful.
The part also came after a violent reaction to another comedian’s joke shocked audiences. Actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who has been open about her insecurities about her hair loss, was clearly unhappy when comedian Chris Rock poked fun at her shaved head. Her husband, actor Will Smith, responded by hitting Rock on stage and then yelling obscenities at him.