Emma Stone contradicted Warren Beatty’s explanation about why he read out the wrong best picture winner at the Oscars, insisting she was holding the best actress envelope “the entire time”.

The US star said the makers of La La Land were in a “state of confusion” after the film was wrongly read out as best picture winner instead of actual recipient Moonlight.

Emma Stone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Emma Stone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Speaking backstage, Stone said: “I f****** love Moonlight. God I love Moonlight so much. I’m so excited for Moonlight.

“Of course it was an amazing thing to hear La La Land, I think we would have all loved to have won best picture. But we’re so excited for Moonlight. I think it’s one of the best films of all time.

“I also was holding my best actress in a leading role card that entire time. I don’t mean to start stuff but whatever story that was – I had that card. So I’m not sure what happened.

Emma Stone arriving at the 89th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA.
Emma Stone (Ian West/PA)

“Is that the craziest Oscar of all time? Cool. We made history tonight. Craziest moment.”

Bonnie and Clyde stars Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced La La Land had taken the best picture prize until the film’s producer Fred Berger said: “This is not a joke. Moonlight is best picture,” and showed the camera the card that revealed the winner.

Beatty returned to the microphone to say: “I want to tell you what happened I opened the envelope and it said Emma Stone, La La Land and that is why I took such a long look at Faye and at you.

“I wasn’t trying to be funny. This is Moonlight for best picture.”