An Aussie actor on the brink of superstardom made an X-rated blunder at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in Sydney.
Joseph Zada, who is set to appear in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel as the young Haymitch Abernathy, was one of the big name guests at Tuesday night’s event held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Taking to the stage after being named GQ’s Breakthrough Actor of the Year, Zada cracked up attendees when he made a slight slip-up during his acceptance speech.
“Thanks to my manager, Trent Baker, for always rooting me … I mean rooting for me,” the 20-year-old said, as the crowd erupted.
Zada has previously won acclaim for his roles in Invisible Boys and We Were Liars, and is considered one of Australia’s most exciting young talents.
Joel Creasey … the host with the most
Joseph Zada not only received an award, but also got a shout out during host Joel Creasey’s opening monologue.
“Joseph is about to forget the little people, that’s us, when he appears in a lead role in the mammoth franchise that is The Hunger Games, which for any of the Real Housewives of Sydney in the room, is a movie, not a motto,” the comedian joked.
Creasey, who is getting ready to launch his new national Nova radio show, also amused the crowd when he dropped the fact he actually went to school with a couple of former AFL stars.
“On the Wikipedia page of my high school under ‘notable alumni’ it goes Ben Cousins, Buddy Franklin, Joel Creasey. It’s like, which one doesn’t fit in here? Ben, obviously, because Buddy and I haven’t been to prison,” he quipped.
The 2025 awards held in 2026
Tuesday night’s GQ Men of the Year Awards were meant to be held in December last year but were postponed due to the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
A number of big names attended the event including Joel Edgerton, Thomas Weatherall, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, Peter Bol, Jakara Anthony, Baker Boy, Tyde Levi, and Gout Gout.
The annual awards celebrate individuals who have shaped culture, style, and influence over the past 12 months.
The 2025 winners, announced in December, were:
GQ Visionary of the Year – Joel Edgerton
GQ Breakthrough International Musician of the Year – Sombr
GQ Actor of the Year – Thomas Weatherall
GQ Breakthrough Sportsman of the Year – Gout Gout
GQ Creative Force of the Year – Danny and Michael Philippou
GQ Artist of the Year – Shaun Daniel Allen
GQ International Actor of the Year – Anthony Starr
GQ Breakthrough Actor of the Year – Joseph Zada
GQ Model of the Year – Cruz Kahlbetzer
GQ Sportsman of the Year – Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i
GQ Musician of the Year – Baker Boy
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