LOS ANGELES (AP) — On the night before the Academy Awards, many of Hollywood’s biggest stars didn’t go to bed early.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — On the night before the Academy Awards, many of Hollywood’s biggest stars never go to bed early. Instead, they chatted all night, holding martinis and champagne, at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s famous Polo Lounge for the annual Chanel and Charles Finch dinner, an invitation harder to find than a seat at the Oscars.
The patio where Clark Gable and Daryl Zanuck dined was packed with the industry’s brightest talent, many of whom were dressed head-to-toe in Chanel, including Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, and Camila Morrone.
On the red carpet, Kidman and Stewart ran towards each other to catch up, hug and pose for the paparazzi.
“It’s been a long time,” Kidman said.
Cotillard would join shortly after. Later on the patio, Kidman, who chatted with Idris Elba, could be seen cuddling with Ariana DeBose while Tessa Thompson chatted up Best Actress nominee Andrea Riseborough.
“I’m sure you’re tired,” said Thompson.
Elsewhere, there was an encounter with Spider-Mans in which Tobey Maguire was approached by Andrew Garfield, who was sipping one of his famous martini.
“You are you!” Maguire said, as Garfield embraced. Then they turned to talk to “The Whale” manager Darren Aronofsky.
Plus, Mètres derrière eux, Jonathan Majors avait a profonde conversation with Riz Ahmed, tandis que Kerry Condon, nominée for the meilleure actrice, an essayé en vain de prendre un verre au bar qui avait fermé for tenter d’ameners of celebrites in the salle at food.
Inside, they were lucky enough to catch a surprise performance by The White Lotus actress Beatrice Grani.
Other participants include Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Deadwiller, Hugh Grant, Brie Larson, Sigourney Weaver, Vicky Krebs, Minnie Driver, Patty Jenkins, Sarah Polley, Lily James, David O. Russell, Jerry Bruckheimer, Sofia Boutella, and Ted Sarandos.
“Daisy Jones & The Six” star Moroni attended the event several years ago and said it was one of her favorites.
“It’s like a really magical sleep,” Moroni said. “I love it here. I would love to see all the people in the entertainment industry being honored tomorrow. You’re in a room with some really amazing artistic people, so you really get to indulge in it all. I’ve worn some amazing Chanel pieces over the past few years here.”
For actress Whitney Beck, the new face of Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, the event was a chance to chat with some of her favorite filmmakers.
“There were such great films this year and a lot of the people responsible for making these films are in the room today,” Beck said. “Daniel Kwan will be there and I’m a fan, how can I tell him I’ve been a fan of him since Lil Jon’s music video?”
Chanel and cinema have been closely linked since the fashion house’s beginnings. In 1930, Gabrielle Chanel was invited by Samuel Goldwyn to Hollywood to dress up movie stars including Gloria Swanson. Once in Paris, Chanel collaborated with French filmmakers such as Jean Renoir and dressed many New Wave actresses such as Jeanne Moreau and Romy Schneider.
More recently, Chanel has supported independent productions such as “Annette” by Leos Carax and “Bergman Island” Love by Mia Hansen. Chanel funded Olivier Assayas’ 35mm camera for “The Clouds of Sils Maria” and has supported programs for emerging filmmakers and cinema preservation and restoration for more than a decade.
Not everyone planned a trip to the champagne carpet at Sunday’s Academy Awards, but one person who will definitely be there is director Ava DuVernay, who sits on the Academy’s board of judges.
“I can’t wait to see the calm and natural Oscars,” DuVernay said. “I was there last year and it was a bit of a shock. I just want him to be calm and quiet. That will be good.”
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For more information about this year’s Academy Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards.
Lindsey Barr, Associated Press