The Academy Awards are the biggest and most formal night in Hollywood. While most people look forward to the event and stick to the black-tie dress code from head to toe, others stick to their guns and their authentic personal style, arriving on the red carpet wearing sneakers.
While designer high heels and dress shoes are the go-to, people like Billie Eilish and Spike Lee have stayed true to themselves and pulled out some fun sneakers for their big moments. Some have opted for sneakers for comfort, and others have used their custom sneakers to send a message. Take a look at some of the most memorable sneaker moments at the Oscars over the years.
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Billie Eilish
Image Credit: Getty Images Billie Eilish attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
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Billie Eilish
Image Credit: Getty Images The singer wore Chanel head to toe, including Chanel Shearling sneakers in black and white with a slight platform.
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Spike Lee
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images Spike Lee wore a tribute costume in memory of Kobe Bryant at the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Feb. 9, 2020.
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Spike Lee
Image Credit: WireImage The film director completed the look with the Nike Kobe 9 Elite “Strategy” sneakers.
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Wesley Snipes
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores Wesley Snipes attended the 94th Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center on March 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Wesley Snipes
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores The actor appeared to be wearing Ermenegildo Zegna Couture’s patent leather sneakers in all black.
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Martin Desmond Roe and Travon Free
Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Pool Via PMC Martin Desmond Roe and Travon Free arrived at the Oscars on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles.
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Martin Desmond Roe and Travon Free
Image Credit: Getty Images The pair won the Oscar for Best Short Film Live Action for their film “Two Distant Strangers,” which focuses on police brutality and racial justice. Free and Roe wore matching Dolce & Gabbana suits with a lining covered with the names of police brutality victims, like Eric Garner, Duante Wright and Alton Sterling. They also wore custom Nike Air Jordan sneakers printed with more names, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
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Chloé Zhao
Image Credit: A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images Chloé Zhao arrived on the red carpet of The 93rd Oscars at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 25, 2021.
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Chloé Zhao
Image Credit: A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images She wore the Hermes Avantage sneaker in all white.
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Spike Lee
Image Credit: WireImage Spike Lee attended the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
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Spike Lee
Image Credit: Getty Images He wore the Air Jordan 3 JTH in a gold sample made for the Lee to wear to the Oscars.
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Spike Lee
Image Credit: WireImage Spike Lee wore sneakers again at the 86th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California.
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Spike Lee
Image Credit: WireImage He wore the Nike Air Trainer 1 Mid PRM QS ‘Nike Knows,’ which featured an iridescent holographic finish and were released in 2014.
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Questlove
Image Credit: Getty Images Questlove attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
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Questlove
Image Credit: Getty Images He wore the Nike Air Jordan 11 Retro “Cap and Gown” in black and blue.
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Tony Hawk
Image Credit: Getty Images Catherine Goodman and Tony Hawk attend the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California.
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Tony Hawk
Image Credit: Getty Images He wore a pair of all black Vans sneakers.
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Kristen Anderson-Lopez
Image Credit: Getty Images Songwriter Kristen Anderson-Lopez and songwriter Robert Lopez attend the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
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Kristen Anderson-Lopez
Image Credit: Getty Images She appeared to be wearing Alexander McQueen Oversized Sneaker in iridescent holographic leather is a signature style featuring a chunky rubber sole and green ribbon laces.
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Aurora
Image Credit: Getty Images Singer Aurora attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
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Aurora
Image Credit: Getty Images She wore a pair of chunky white platform sneakers.
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Bryan Buckley
Image Credit: Getty Images Kiana Madani and director Bryan Buckley attend the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
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Bryan Buckley
Image Credit: Getty Images He wore Lanvin DBB1 Suede and Patent Leather Sneakers in black.
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Terence Blanchard
Image Credit: Getty Images Composer Terence Blanchard and Robin Burgess attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
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Terence Blanchard
Image Credit: Getty Images The “BlacKkKlansman” composer wore custom New Orleans Saints Jordans to the event.