Hunger Games Star's Slip-Up Steals Show at GQ Awards in Sydney
Australian actor Joseph Zada experienced a moment of acute embarrassment this week when he took to the stage at the prestigious GQ Men of the Year awards ceremony in Sydney. The 25-year-old rising star, who has recently landed a leading role in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel film, was honoured with the GQ Breakthrough Actor of the Year award. However, his acceptance speech quickly took an unexpected turn, leaving the audience both giggling and gasping at his verbal misstep.
A Risqué Verbal Slip During Thank-Yous
While delivering his list of acknowledgments from the podium, Zada thanked his agency RGM and specifically his agent, Trent Barker, for their support in advancing his career. The awkward moment arose when he attempted to use a common American slang phrase that carries entirely different, and considerably more suggestive, connotations in Australian vernacular.
"And, for rooting me... rooting for me," Zada stammered, immediately triggering an eruption of laughter from the assembled crowd. Realising his unfortunate gaffe, the actor placed his hand over his face in visible embarrassment and muttered a sheepish, "f***ing hell, yeah."
Host Joel Creasey Adds to the Levity
The evening wasn't entirely defined by awkwardness for the promising actor. Host Joel Creasey incorporated Zada into his opening monologue, joking about the actor's impending Hollywood success. "Joseph is about to forget the little people, that’s us, when he appears in a lead role in the mammoth franchise that is The Hunger Games," Creasey quipped. "Which for any of the Real Housewives of Sydney in the room, is a movie, not a motto."
Zada's Major Breakthrough Role
Joseph Zada recently secured his most significant acting opportunity to date, having been cast in a leading role in the forthcoming Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping. The film is a prequel set approximately three decades before the events of the original trilogy. Zada triumphed over hundreds of other actors auditioning for the coveted part, earning the role of a younger version of the iconic character Haymitch Abernathy, famously portrayed by Woody Harrelson between 2012 and 2015.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman praised Zada's casting in an official statement. "After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, [Joseph] stood out," Westerman said. "Not just for talent, but for the emotional truth brought to the iconic role. Haymitch has always been a fan favourite. His origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. We can't wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series."
Details of the Upcoming Film
The highly anticipated movie is scheduled for release in November 2026 and will be directed by veteran Hunger Games filmmaker Francis Lawrence. The cast will also feature notable talents including Whitney Peak from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Mckenna Grace from I, Tonya.
Reflecting on landing the career-defining role, Zada shared his disbelief with New Idea magazine in February. "I think, when I first got the call telling me I’d got that role, it was a little bit like pinching myself for months, really," he admitted. "Just being on set with that calibre of talent from crew to cast was really something." He added that the news broke publicly just twelve hours after he was informed, leaving him little time to share the excitement privately before his phone "just went crazy."
Rising Star's Career Trajectory
Joseph Zada first rose to prominence earlier this year in the lead role of the Stan original series Invisible Boys, starring alongside Pia Miranda. He also featured in the popular Amazon series We Were Liars, steadily building his profile before his major breakthrough with The Hunger Games franchise. Despite the humorous slip at the GQ awards, his career trajectory appears firmly on an upward path, with global recognition now firmly within his grasp.
