Yet another blunder happened last night at the Oscars. The In Memoriam montage featured a picture of Jan Chapman, an Australian producer who is still alive and well, instead of Janet Patterson, a costume designer who passed away in October 2016.
Understandably, Jan Chapman was upset about the use of her picture. In a statement she emailed to Variety, Chapman said, “I was devastated by the use of my image in place of my great friend and long-time collaborator Janet Patterson. I had urged her agency to check any photograph which might be used and understand that they were told that the Academy had it covered. Janet was a great beauty and four-time Oscar nominee and it is very disappointing that the error was not picked up. I am alive and well and an active producer.”
The montage was shown while Sara Bareilles performed Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and was otherwise very moving. Hopefully The Academy can get their act together in time for next year.
Image Source: YouTube
