The Vanity Fair Oscar Bash: A Night of Glamour and Disappointment
The Vanity Fair Oscar bash has long been the pinnacle of after-parties, known for its exclusivity and star-studded attendance. However, this year’s event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) was met with mixed reactions from guests, many of whom were left unimpressed by the harsh lighting and other changes.
Harsh Lighting Sparks Outrage
One of the most criticized aspects of the evening was the lighting, which some described as “unforgiving” and “crazy-bright.” According to reports, the bright lights exposed every imperfection on the guests’ faces, leading to a number of uncomfortable moments. One actress reportedly broke down in tears after seeing photos that made her look like a “Diane Arbus character,” a reference to the photographer known for capturing unconventional and haunting imagery.
“I genuinely feel bad for some of these women,” one guest said. “One poor actress looked like a Diane Arbus character. She was on her phone looking at her pictures and shrieking at her publicist. I heard that she went home and cried herself to sleep. Nobody has heard from her since!”
A Shift in Location and Style
This year, the event was moved from its traditional venue at the Wallis Annenberg Center to LACMA. While the new location was seen as more upscale, it did not come without its challenges. Many guests, including Kris Jenner, Demi Moore, Mia Goth, and Heidi Klum, expressed their dissatisfaction with the lighting and overall atmosphere.
“The lighting was like being shot in extremely high-def. You saw a lot of excess pounds and wrinkles that used to be hidden. Nobody wants to be photographed like that!” an insider remarked.
The change in lighting also led to a shift in the way celebrities chose to share their experiences. The morning after the event, many stars opted to post photos from Guy Oseary and Madonna’s annual bash rather than the official Vanity Fair photos.
Other Unpopular Changes
In addition to the lighting, the red carpet was replaced with a light gray shag, which was widely mocked on social media for its drab appearance. Some guests even compared the lighting to “standing under klieg lights,” while others joked about feeling like they were “having hot flashes.”
Despite these issues, there were still positive notes. One guest noted that it was only the “first time” at the new venue and expressed hope for improvement in future years.
A Refined Guest List
Mark Guiducci, the new editor of Vanity Fair, was reportedly determined to restore the party’s luster by making significant changes to the guest list. According to insiders, Guiducci focused on inviting only the “most AAA-list stars,” going over the list multiple times to ensure exclusivity.
This year’s guest list included high-profile names such as Kylie Jenner, Timothee Chalamet, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Jessica Alba, and Hailey Bieber. However, some notable figures, like Emma Stone, chose to skip the event, opting instead for other parties.
Stone commented on the exclusion, saying in a video shared to X: “It’s so weird, even if you’re nominated, it doesn’t mean you can go.”
Challenges at the New Venue
The event also faced logistical issues, including unfinished areas of the museum. Guests were supposed to get a first look at the David Geffen galleries, but the space remained incomplete on the night of the Oscars. As a result, the party was moved to a less glamorous section of the museum.
Additionally, guests reported complaints about traffic and the performance of the “influencer emcees,” who were accused of insulting several VIPs.
Despite the challenges, not everyone wrote off the event entirely. Some guests remain optimistic, stating that it was just the first time at the new venue and that they would return next year.
