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John Cena and his Birks made a case for the necessity of costume designers, stylists, his fitness trainer and comedic timing at the 2024 Oscars.
Nodding to streaker Robert Opel at the 1974 Academy Awards, Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the best costume design award presentation by asking, “Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?”
Cue the Argylle star, who had a change of heart about his birthday suit bit: “I don’t want to do the streaker bit anymore,” Cena said. “You should feel ashamed right now for suggesting such a tasteless idea.”
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After some banter (“The male body is not a joke,” said Cena, to which Kimmel replied, “Mine is”), the WWE star eventually emerged from backstage wearing only the winner’s envelope — and a pair of Birkenstock Arizona sandals. (Poor Things costume designer Holly Waddington took home the award.)
Some on the Internet couldn’t roll their tongues back into their mouths fast enough, while others — including comedian Dana Goldberg — honed in on his comfy footwear of choice. And it’s not the first time that Birks have been donned at the Oscars. At the 2019 ceremony, Frances McDormand paired her pink Valentino gown with yellow suede Birkenstocks designed in collaboration with the Italian fashion house.
If you’re wondering how and where to buy Cena’s viral Birks ahead of spring and summer, we’ve found what appears to be the exact pair (as well as similar styles) that the wrestler-turned-actor wore at the 2024 Oscars.
He stepped out in the two-strap dark brown Arizona sandals, which start at $110 and come in men’s and women’s sizes. Made in Germany, the open-toed shoes are available in standard and vegan leather upper options and feature a comfortable suede insole, the signature cork footbed and a lightweight EVA outsole. The shoes that Cena wore appear to be the dark brown Birko-Flor vegan leather style finished with brushed bronze metal pin buckles.
Similar brown sandals from Birkenstock include a dark brown oiled leather colorway and a vegan suede option. The brand is also stocked at Nordstrom, REI and Zappos.
Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor Sandal in Dark Brown
Birkenstock Arizona Birkibuc Sandal in Mocha
Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Oiled Leather Sandal in Habana
Cena isn’t the only Hollywood leading man who’s been spotted in Birks. Chris Pine, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Ashton Kutcher and Jason Momoa are just a few who’ve worn the crunchy kicks. If the Arizona isn’t your style of choice, the Hollywood-loved brand offers plenty of other styles, including the Boston suede clogs, seen on Kaia Gerber, Kendall Jenner and others.
And if you’re curious about Cena’s “outfit” change, here’s how the Peacemaker star’s costume change — with the help of Kimmel and the costume design nominees — went down.
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