The donkey introduced by American presenter Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscars as Jenny from the tragicomedy "The Banshees of Inisherin" was no Jenny. As Kimmel now admitted, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) had hired a Californian donkey, Dominic, and presented him on stage as Jenny at the award ceremony.
"We thought it wouldn't be a good idea to fly in a donkey from Ireland. That's why we signed a donkey from Los Angeles," the host confirmed the rumors about Jenny's doppelganger.
Kimmel had led the alleged Jenny on the stage of the Dolby Theatre on Monday night. Nominees who had to go home without an Oscar, the presenter joked, should pet the donkey mare to reduce stress.
The "Los Angeles Times" and other American media later accused the film academy of deceiving viewers. "I apologize on behalf of the Academy. This will never happen again," Kimmel said.