It’s the most prestigious awards night on the calendar for the Australian music industry.
And with the high-profile nature of the ARIAs, many stars over the years have found themselves embroiled in controversies.
From near career-ending genital exposure and a raunchy topless performance to head-scratching political statements and atrocious attire, Daily Mail takes a trip down memory lane to revisit the event’s most controversial moments of all time.
Outrageous and OTT: From near career-ending genital exposure and raunchy topless performance to head-scratching political statements and atrocious attire, Daily Mail takes a trip down memory lane to revisit the ARIA’s most controversial moments of all time
The Veronicas’ topless performance – 2016
Pop duo The Veronicas stole the show in 2016 when its members Jessica and Lisa Origliasso took to the stage in risqué outfits.
The twin sisters went completely topless, wearing skin-tight latex pants with only red glitter covering their modesty as they belted out their single, In My Blood.
Raunchy: The Veronicas performed topless in 2016, donning nothing but red latex and glitter
Their performance divided viewers with some seeing the performance as genius while others thought it was too full-on.
Axle Whitehead flashing his genitals – 2006
Career crushing! In perhaps the most controversial ARIAs moment ever, Axle Whitehead (pictured with former Video Hits co-host Faustina ‘Fuzzy’ Agolley) exposed himself and simulated masturbation while presenting an award
In 2006, Axle Whitehead almost destroyed his career when he exposed himself on-stage at the ARIAs and simulated masturbation while presenting an award to the Hilltop Hoods.
While the infamous moment didn’t make it to TV screens, it shocked industry insiders and the former Australian Idol singer was forced to resign from his role as host of Video Hits.
Paul Mac thanking drug dealers – 1995
‘Without whom this award would not be possible’: In 1995, Paul Mac (pictured in 2005) thanked ‘Sydney’s ecstasy dealers’ after winning an award
With so much going into creating hit music, there are many people worth paying tribute to in an acceptance speech.
However, in 1995 Paul Mac caused controversy after he won an ARIA for Best Dance Release and thanked ‘Sydney’s ecstasy dealers, without whom this award would not be possible’.
Even more awkward? The national Drug Offensive was that year’s sponsor.
Angus and Julia Stone thank their cat and dog – 2010
Paying tribute to the important ones: Julia Stone (pictured with Angus) thanked her ‘cats and dogs’… leaving the audience scratching their heads
On the other end of the scale, Angus and Julia Stone won so many awards at the 2010 ARIAs, it’s almost as though they ran out of people to thank and panicked.
At one point Julia awkwardly thanked her ‘cats and dogs’… leaving the audience scratching their heads.
Madison Avenue singer gets thirsty – 2000
Thirsty work: Madison Avenue singer Cheyne Coates halted her performance to awkwardly take a drink of water
Performing to a star-studded ARIA crowd can be thirsty work – quite literally, as Don’t Call Me Baby hitmakers Madison Avenue proved in 2000.
Dressed in a nappy-like outfit and feeling a bit parched, singer Cheyne Coates gestured for a drink of water and in cringeworthy television, stopped her performance to get her hit of H20.
Gabriella Climi accused of being drunk – 2009
Caused a stir: In 2008, Gabriella Climi was accused of being drunk despite being 17 at the time
Also get in trouble for her perceived consumption of beverages was Gabriella Climi.
Aged just 17 when she attended the 2008 ARIAs, the Sweet About Me singer, was accused of being drunk while accepting her awards and in interviews at the awards show.
She later hit back at the accusations, telling News Corp: ‘I was actually jetlagged, I wasn’t tipsy.’
Silverchair’s awkward political statement – 2006
Politically minded: Silverchair made waves in 2006 when singer Daniel Johns he spray-painted ‘ PG (Peter Garrett) 4 PM’ on stage
Also causing backlash was rock band Silverchair who made waves thanks to their 2006 on-stage performance.
Covering Midnight Oil’s Don’t Want To Be The One, Daniel Johns made jaws drop when he spray-painted ‘ PG (Peter Garrett) 4 PM’ on a banner on stage in a bizarre political statement.
Jessica Mauboy gets tongue-tied – 2010
Tongued tied: In 2010 Jessica Mauboy embarrassingly mispronounced ‘debut’ as ‘debutt’
In a hilarious Ron Burgundy-esque moment in 2010, Jessica Mauboy mispronounced the word ‘debut’ as ‘debutt’ which drew the ire of viewers.
Awkwardly, she also got Tame Impala’s debut album name wrong, calling it ‘Innerspeak’ instead of the correct ‘Innerspeaker’.
Marcia Hines’ disastrous outfit – 2000
Questionable attire: Marcia Hines wore a shocking gold Glomesh-inspired jumpsuit over what can only be described as denim underpants to walk the red carpet in 2000
There has been some shocking attire to grace the ARIA’s red carpet over the years but former Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines took the cake in 2000.
Solidifying her position as the worst-dressed ARIA attendee of all-time, Marcia donned a gold Glomesh-inspired jumpsuit over what can only be described as denim underpants.
Despite being so far away from many countries the ARIAs has managed to attract many A-list international acts over the years.
But the travel time took its toll on Liam Payne when he headed Down Under with One Direction to perform at the awards.
After wearily taking selfies with fans on the ARIA red carpet, footage of the encounter went viral and the heartthrob was accused of hating life and having to mingle with those who desperately adore him.
Forced smile? In 2014, footage of Liam Payne wearily taking selfies with fans on the red carpet went viral