Silicon is most often commonly associated with slips of the nipple variety. At the Academy Awards last night, however, it was also the unwitting reason three presenters almost took a tumble while ambling up to the podium.

First, Disney pixie Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, lost her footing en route to present "That's How You Know," a nominee for Best Original Song. Moments later, Colin Farrell slipped in the same spot while taking the stage to present original song nominee "Falling Slowly." (Farrell, who tried to wipe down the area in question, regained his composure by taking a few steps back and gliding up to the podium.) Finally, bloated Scientologist John Travolta slipped while sashaying across the stage to announce that "Falling Slowly" had indeed won the award.

What happened? According to a PR rep for the Academy, the slippery spot was the result of a silicon-based spray that stagehands had used to help slide equipment across the floor. "They were using the stuff to move podiums and things. Some of it evidently stuck to the stage," the rep tells Radar. "Actually, during a commercial break, the stage manager came out to wipe it down."