U.S. actor Kevin Costner did not refuse to stand on stage at the Academy Awards with actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, contrary to a narrative shared online. The claim first originated on a satire site, but surfaced months later without any satire labels on social media.

One account shared side-by-side photographs of Goldberg and Costner on Threads on July 29, opens new tab with a caption that says: “Kevin Costner Refused to be on the Same Stage with Whoopi Goldberg at the Oscars ‘Not if my life depend on it.’”

An individual said in the comments: “But who exactly does think he is Does he think he is more human than her? Good radiance (sic) to bad rubbish.” Another added: “What’s his problem with her, I know she is an outspoken person with strong views. But what’s the reason..???”

The post links to an article on a website called “ABCATOP” on July 29, opens new tab which cites unnamed sources saying Costner refused to stand on the same stage as Goldberg in the lead up to the Oscars, which was held on March 10, opens new tab.

“This story is not true,” a spokesperson for Costner said to Reuters in an email, adding: “Kevin considers Whoopi a dear friend.”

The narrative was published, opens new tab by the website Dunning Kruger Times with the same headline and posted to a Facebook page associated with the website on March 19, opens new tab. The Dunning Kruger Times describes itself as satire on its About Us, opens new tab page.

VERDICT

False. Actor Kevin Costner did not refuse to stand on stage alongside fellow actor Whoopi Goldberg at the Oscars. A spokesperson for Costner said the claim is untrue, and the earliest iteration of the narrative was published by a satire website in March.

‘Today, we mark a grim milestone, 1,000 days since the start of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.