Why Jared Leto Had the Best Oscar Acceptance Speech

One of my favorite moments from this year’s Oscars was Jared Leto’s acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor. He congratulated his fellow nominees, graciously paid tribute to AIDS victims, and thanked his mother for his success. It was a wonderful speech and a memorable moment..

But wait – was that the same Jared Leto who accepted the Best Supporting Actor award at the Golden Globes just a few weeks before? On that night he opened with jokes about his “bubble butt” and having to shave his body to prepare for the role. The critics weren’t impressed. At least one magazine called it one of the worst speeches of the night. What a difference a few weeks makes.

I told you this story because I want to talk about what Jared Leto did right in his Oscar speech. Here are 4 things that made his speech memorable:

Tip #1: Learn from Your Mistakes

Jared Leto made some painful mistakes in his Golden Globes speech. First, he didn’t seem prepared. Second, he made jokes that appeared to mock the group of people his movie was about. Third, he put the focus on himself and his fame. 

When he won the supporting actor category at the SAG awards, he was prepared. He focused on the AIDS epidemic. He congratulated the other nominees, and then he thanked his mom. He said in an interview later that evening that he wrote notes to make sure he properly acknowledged those groups of people.

Fast forward to Oscar night and another big win. After hugging his family and acknowledging host Ellen DeGeneres, he started by honoring his fellow nominees. Then he told a touching story about the strugles his mother faced in raising two kids on her own. After, he paid tribute to those who have been impacted by AIDS. He also briefly mentioned the terrible situations in Ukraine and Venezuela. It was a near-perfect acceptance speech and it showed that he learned from his past mistakes. 

Tip #2: Tell a Story

Perhaps the most effective part of his speech was the story he told.  Stories are the best way to help your audience connect with your message. Which do you think has more impact?

Answer.    “I want to thank my mother for showing me how to dream.”

or

B.    “In 1971． Bossier City, Louisiana. A teenage girl finds out she’s pregnant with her second child. She’s a high school dropout, a single mom. But against all odds, she manages to make a better life for herself and her children. She teaches them to be creative. To work hard. And reach for the impossible. That girl is my mother and she’s here tonight. Mom, I love you thank you for teaching me to dream.”

Stories feel more personal to the listeners. Many will be able to relate or will think of a similar experience from their lives. Stories create a mini-movie in the mind of the listener making it easier to remember and repeat.  

Tip #3: Talk Directly to Your Audience

When talking about your audience, or a part of your audience, don’t use terms like “them” or “they”. Address your audience directly. Jared Leto did this when he made a reference to people in Ukraine and Venezuela:

“To all the dreamers out there around the world watching this tonight in places like the Ukraine and Venezuela, I want to say we are here and as you struggle to…make your dreams happen, to live the impossible…We’re thinking of you tonight.”  

He ends with another “you” statement:

“…and to those of you out there who have ever felt injustice because of who you are or who you love, tonight I stand here in front of the world with you and for you.”

Leto supports his message with body language, holding his Oscar up and shaking it as if to say “this is for you.”

Tip #4: Practice, But Don’t Memorize

I give Jared Leto extra points for appearing to be off-the-cuff, yet showing that he had clearly prepared for this night. He didn’t read off a piece of paper, but he also didn’t sound like he was just reciting a smooth, memorized speech.

One question I get asked a lot is “Should I read my speech from notes or should I memorize it?” My answer lies somewhere in-between. Reading your speech can make you look like a robot or show how nervous you are. Memorizing is risky too. If you focus too hard on repeating what you’ve memorized, you’re likely to be thrown off if you forget your next line.

I can’t tell you how Jared Leto prepared, but I recommend practicing enough to be comfortable but not over-rehearsed. Practice with a partner and record yourself practicing. If absolutely necessary, you can use notes, but keep them short and simple. Notes should be just that, notes to jog your memory or help you get back on track if you get lost.

Ultimately, it’s ok if you have one or two disfluencies and don’t say it perfectly. It’s far better to sound authentic with a few mistakes than to sound as if you are reading or as if you are overly slick. 

And the Winner Is . . .

This is the first year Jared Leto has won an acting award. His Golden Globes speech was the work of a first-timer who probably didn’t expect to win. By learning from his mistakes and working hard to keep improving, he finished the awards season sounding and looking like a seasoned veteran. 

This is Lisa B. Marshall, Helping you maximize sales, manage perceptions, and enhance leadership through keynotes, workshops, books, and online courses. Passionate about communication; your success is my business. 

Do you struggle with difficult conversations?  Do you procrastinate when it comes to delivering feedback? Do you know how to effectively persuade and influence others?  Learn this and more in my book Smart Talk. Get your personally signed copy today!

Oscar and Jared Leto images courtesy of Shutterstock.