Jamie Lee Curtis arrived on the 2022 Oscars red carpet encased in sparkling blue Stella McCartney from her ankles to her neck. The 63-year-old actor accessorized with Cathy Waterman ethically sourced diamond marquise star earrings and a striking emerald-cut ring in the same shade as her gown. And one thing more—instead of a bag or another jewel, Curtis toted a tiny satin ribbon on her finger, flashing it like a priceless bauble at the cameras. The ribbon read, “With refugees.”
“The Ukrainian crisis is showing us what we’ve already known,” Curtis said on the red carpet when asked about the meaning behind her ribbon. “That there’s a humanitarian crisis, there’s a refugee crisis happening right now, and all those displaced people need their stories told. So if I stand there tonight like this, I am representing for them, they know that they’re not alone, that people are thinking about them, and thinking of ways where we can help them.”
Analysis by the Pew Research Center found that the Ukrainian refugee crisis is “one of the biggest refugee crises of modern times.” At least 3.7 million Ukrainians have become refugees since Russia attacked the country one month ago. Curtis will certainly not be the only celebrity to encourage Oscar watchers to think of the Ukrainian people. Jason Momoa wore a yellow and blue pocket square to the ceremony, a reference to the country’s national colors. And likely, winners and presenters will reference the humanitarian emergency in Ukraine from the stage.
Jamie Lee Curtis also told reporters on the carpet that her role at the awards ceremony is to speak about Betty White on stage. White, who died in December 2021 shortly before her 100th birthday, was an animal-rights activist. Curtis said that she chose Stella McCartney in homage to White because the designer uses sustainable materials and has proudly defended animal rights.
Jenny Singer is a staff writer for Glamour. You can follow her on Twitter.
