Navigating this lively space poses a challenge due to the tightly packed banquet tables. Some stars, like Steve Martin, firmly stay at their designated spots, creating a fortress that is hard to breach. Others, such as Andrew Scott and the director of “Challengers,” Luca Guadagnino, cannot resist the temptation to mingle with the many interesting personalities around them.
Nervous energy was palpable as the night began. As the first significant awards ceremony of the year, anticipation ran high with an array of potential winners and a fresh set of voters, leaving many to wonder how the evening would unfold. Andrew Garfield found himself caught in a bottleneck of celebrities blocking the stairs leading to the main floor. He gestured for Zendaya to move along, drawing attention to the striking new ring on her left hand, which sparked whispers among those watching. However, the train of her vibrant burnt orange Louis Vuitton gown proved to be a further hindrance. Garfield quickly came to her aid after greeting Colman Domingo with a kiss, helping Zendaya ascend the stairs while Daniel Craig and Kate Winslet exchanged pleasantries nearby.
Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie and her daughter Zahara managed to move through the crowd mostly unnoticed. Miley Cyrus also navigated the room, making her way to the “Baby Reindeer” crew before settling into her seat close to Pamela Anderson and Gia Coppola.
Adjacent to the main ballroom, another room buzzed with guests enjoying additional bites from Nobu, as well as drinks and desserts. Keith Urban savored sushi, specifically the yellowtail and jalapeño bites, before being joined by Ewan McGregor and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Nearby, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons made a beeline for Ayo Edebiri, with Dunst complimenting Edebiri’s stylish grey Loewe suit. As they queued at the bar, Dunst instructed Plemons to stay back with Edebiri.
Due to the absence of television screens in the side room, some attendees missed out on key moments, such as Margaret Qualley, who was unaware of her co-star Demi Moore’s victory and moving acceptance speech.
For those in attendance, commercial breaks may feel like a fleeting moment. With limited time to rush to the restroom or grab a drink— the tables only offered champagne, wine, or water— guests scrambled to return to their seats before the countdown ended. Subsequently, Urban made his way back to connect with Nicole Kidman and the cast of “Wicked,” engaging in lively discussion with Ariana Grande until they posed for a quick photo. At the same time, Cara Delevingne made her greeting round to Cynthia Erivo, while Naomi Watts approached Kidman.
In a separate acknowledgement, Daniel Craig congratulated Jessica Gunning for her win in “Baby Reindeer,” commending her performance. Gunning, however, barely had time to celebrate before another guest was requesting a selfie. Zoe Saldaña and Ali Wong exchanged congratulations to each other, and Saldaña excitedly rushed over to hug Netflix’s noted publicist, Lisa Tabak.
As some attendees experienced the maze-like nature of the event, Emma Stone veered past security and deftly slipped to her table just before nominees for Best Animated Film were announced. Guadagnino, by contrast, spent several awards unwillingly held back behind the ropes but let out an enthusiastic cheer when “Flow” was announced as the winner. Although he applauded vigorously for nominee Payal Kapadia during the Best Director category, the award ultimately went to Brady Corbet for “The Brutalist.”
After the main event concluded, Kate Winslet was spotted abandoning her towering black heels, casually walking barefoot across the lobby carpet. Many celebrities hurried out, some heading to post-ceremony festivities while others returned home. Keira Knightley and her husband, James Righton, lingered far longer than most, chatting with Felicity Jones, a star from “The Brutalist,” as Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco fielded autograph requests from fans eager for a moment with them.
