The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala, which was set to honor Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Sofia Coppola on Saturday in Los Angeles, is being postponed.
“Out of respect for the devastating conflict and loss of life happening overseas, we have made the decision to postpone the Academy Museum gala this Saturday. We look forward to rescheduling at a later date. We thank everybody deeply for their support,” a statement from an Academy Museum spokesperson said on Thursday night.
This followed the news earlier in the day that the red carpet would be canceled but the museum’s annual fundraiser would go on, co-chaired by Ava DuVernay, Dr. Eric Esrailian, Halle Berry and Ryan Murphy
The red carpet was already scheduled to be restricted to photos only and no interviews because of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Talent was allowed to attend under strike rules because it was a charity event, although The Hollywood Reporter reported some studio executives who have previously attended the gala decided not to go amid the strike and donated their seats back to the museum.
Many events in the Middle East have been canceled because of the escalating Israel-Hamas violence, including Fashion Trust Arabia, which sent an email on Thursday to guests saying they will be postponing their awards show scheduled for Oct. 25 in Doha, Qatar.
But the Academy Gala is the first major Hollywood event to be canceled following the attack on Israel on Saturday by Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Andrew Garfield, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Greta Gerwig, Ke Huy Quan, Kim Kardashian, Lupita Nyong’o, Mahershala Ali, Margot Robbie, Pedro Pascal, Quinta Brunson, Reese Witherspoon, Selena Gomez and Tom Hanks are among those who were expected to walk the red carpet.
The event was expected to be a big moment for the fashion industry as well, which because of the strike has not had the usual number of red carpet opportunities. The Academy Gala was going to be “one of the biggest red carpets of the fall,” according to Hollywood insiders, with Louis Vuitton and sponsor Rolex among the brands buying tables at the event, and dressing stars.
Meanwhile, New York designer Veronica Beard canceled a luncheon and party scheduled to celebrate the opening of the brand’s new store in Beverly Hills on Oct. 18.
Several other events have gone forward in L.A. during this busy social week, however, including a party on Thursday night to celebrate Schiaparelli and Neiman Marcus that was attended by Demi Moore, Angela Bassett, Olivia Wilde and other stars. On Tuesday, Loro Piana held a dinner in Malibu with Sophia Richie Grainge, and on Wednesday Taylor Swift celebrated the premiere of her “The Eras Tour” concert film at an event that shut down The Grove shopping center.