Overview
- Paige Thalia, a Los Angeles content creator, found rolls of the 2026 Oscars red carpet in a dumpster near the Dolby Theatre and the El Capitan Theatre and took a section home.
- Her TikTok posts documenting the find drew millions of views as she cleaned and installed the carpet in her living room.
- Thalia says a security guard allowed her to take a piece, and others reported retrieving sections before the remaining rolls were moved behind security fencing and guarded.
- The Academy states the carpet is made from recycled materials, about 95% was returned to the vendor for recycling, and the remainder was set aside for waste diversion.
- Public reaction focused on waste practices at major events, with suggestions to auction or donate leftover carpet instead of discarding it.