A decades-old video clip from an awards show has ignited a fierce modern-day backlash against musician Chris Isaak for his behaviour towards actress Cameron Diaz.
Uncomfortable On-Stage Moment Resurfaces
The incident took place at the 1995 MTV Movie Awards, where Diaz, then 21, and Isaak, then 39, were co-presenting the award for Best Kiss. A video, which recently recirculated on X (formerly Twitter), shows Isaak repeatedly attempting to kiss Diaz despite her clear physical and verbal resistance.
As Diaz tried to present, Isaak interrupted her, leaning in with the words, 'Come here baby, come on.' The footage shows Diaz pulling away, giggling nervously, and pushing him off while reminding him that movie kisses only happen when 'directors say so.' Despite her protests, Isaak persisted and appeared to kiss the actress, though his back to the camera made it unclear if contact was made.
Jim Carrey's Instant Karma
The moment of discomfort was swiftly followed by an act of poetic justice. Diaz composed herself and announced the winners: Jim Carrey and Lauren Holly for their kiss in Dumb and Dumber.
When Carrey bounded onto the stage to accept the award, he immediately turned the tables. The comedian grabbed an unsuspecting Isaak and planted a kiss on him, giving the singer a taste of his own medicine. Isaak was left visibly stunned, attempting to play along but later seen wiping his lips as he retreated from the stage.
Modern Backlash and Social Media Fury
The resurfaced clip, garnering over 14 million views on X this week, has drawn intense criticism from viewers who labelled Isaak's actions 'disrespectful,' 'creepy,' and 'cringe.'
Social media users expressed dismay at what was tolerated on live television in the 1990s. Many comments highlighted that such behaviour would be met with swift consequences today, with one user stating, 'Cancel culture today would deal with this at the speed of light,' and another noting, 'Isaak would be crucified and sued today.'
Conversely, Jim Carrey was widely praised for his quick-witted retaliation, with fans calling him a 'national treasure' and celebrating his 'priceless' revenge.
The Daily Mail has approached representatives for both Cameron Diaz and Chris Isaak for comment. The viral revival of this 1995 episode underscores the shifting cultural attitudes towards consent and on-set behaviour in the entertainment industry.
