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In case you missed it, Jeff Bezos, the third richest person in the world, and his bride, Lauren Sánchez, threw a star-studded wedding weekend in Venice. And while the celebrations have reportedly totalled over $50 million (USD), with much of the city being closed off for the couple and their A-list guests, one person who isn’t amused by their lavish nuptials? Charlize Theron—something she made very clear during the fifth annual Block Party for the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.
Never one to mince words, the actress proved once again that she’s far more interested in advocacy than the excess that comes with life in La La Land when she took to the stage at the Los Angeles event. As she addressed the crowd, she threw some timely shade on those attending the Amazon founder’s elaborate affair.
“I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the Bezos wedding,” she began. “But that’s OK because they suck and we’re cool.”
Delivered with her trademark deadpan humour, the jab evoked applause and laughter from the audience. But it wasn’t just fun and games. Theron, 49, used her platform to highlight the critical work of her foundation—and the increasingly bleak global landscape in which it continues to operate.
“Here in Los Angeles, in the US and across the globe, we’re moving backwards fast,” she lamented. “Immigration policy has destroyed the lives of families, not criminals; women’s rights are becoming less and less every day; queer and trans lives are increasingly being erased; and gender-based violence is on the rise. This isn’t just policy, it’s personal.”
And as the crowd cheered, she doubled down on the sentiment.
The moment was a reminder that while stars like Oprah, Leonardo DiCaprio, the Kardashian-Jenners, Sydney Sweeney and Orlando Bloom jetted to Venice for Bezos’ controversy-laced celebration—complete with ‘pyjama’ parties, Matteo Bocelli performances, and public protests from locals—others are choosing to show up where it truly counts.
