While presenting at the Oscars in 2014, John Travolta infamously mispronounced Idina Menzel’s name as “Adele Dazeem,” but she later got her revenge … and the pair are now thankfully on good terms.
Idina was appearing on the award show to sing the hit song Let It Go from Disney’s Frozen and John was supposed to be introducing her. However, it didn’t go so well as he completely butchered her name and looked very uncertain as he did so. During the ceremony a year later, the Elsa actress got her revenge and thankfully, they both took it all in good humor and are on good terms with one another. He later explained his slip up and we kind of understand why he did such a bad job – but really, is her name that hard to pronounce?
John Travolta mispronouncing Idina Menzel’a name went down in Oscars history
While introducing the movie star before her performance at the esteemed ceremony in 2014, the 69-year-old completely messed up her name.
Instead of Idina Menzel, John Travolta called her “Adele Dazeem” while looking very uncertain and a bit embarrassed.
Referencing her days on stage in which she originated the role of Elphaba both on Broadway and in the West End in Wicked the Musical, he said: “Please welcome the wickedly talented, one and only, Adele Dazeem.”
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However, the two later reunited so not only could Idina pay him back, but the Hollywood star revealed he could actually say her name correctly!
Idina gets her own back
In 2015, the two appeared together on stage and Idina Menzel gave John Travolta his own nickname, getting him back for calling her Adele Dazeem. Thankfully, it was all in good fun.
Standing alone behind a mic during the 2015 Oscars, 52-year-old Idina said: “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage my very dear friend Glom Gazingo.”
The quip caused the crowd to erupt into laughter while John made his way to the stage. When he approached her, they gave each other big smiles and a hug.
“I deserve that,” said, John. “I deserve that, but you? You my darling, my beautiful, my wickedly talented Idina Menzel,” he said while touching her face and she laughed.
“You got it! Yay!” Idina told him as the crowd cheered.
John looked at the audience and asked: “Is that right?” Idina then joked: “You did it! That was so good! It’s not like it’s gonna follow me around for the rest of my life or anything …”
John was quick to respond: “Yeah, tell me about it.”