A-List Extravaganza: Academy Museum Gala Honors Icons And Raises Millions

A Night of Glitz and Glamour

The Academy Museum pulled out all the stops for its annual star-studded gala on Saturday night. The event, which honored big names like Penélope Cruz, Bruce Springsteen, Bowen Yang, and Walter Salles, also managed to raise a staggering $12 million. The funds will go towards supporting the museum's exhibitions, educational initiatives, and public programming.

Star-Studded Hosting Crew

This year's event was presented in partnership with Rolex and co-chaired by a glittering lineup of stars including Jon M. Chu, Common, Viola Davis, and Robert Downey Jr., among others. The evening kicked off with heartfelt remarks from Robert and Susan Downey before diving into the awards.

“It was a night to remember, celebrating icons and supporting the future of cinema,” said one attendee.

Honoring Cinema's Finest

The awards were a highlight of the night, with Wim Wenders presenting the Luminary Award to Walter Salles for his innovative contributions to cinema. Bowen Yang received the Vantage Award from Jon M. Chu, recognizing his work in challenging cinema's dominant narratives. Penélope Cruz was celebrated with the Icon Award by Zoe Saldaña, while the legendary Martin Scorsese honored Bruce Springsteen with the inaugural Legacy Award.

Springsteen, who is currently in the spotlight for his biopic "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere," gave a special performance to close the night, featuring hits like "Streets of Philadelphia" and "Atlantic City."

Fashion and Fun on the Blue Carpet

The gala was a who's who of Hollywood, with Oscar winners and nominees rubbing shoulders with music stars and internet icons. Kim Kardashian turned heads with a daring Maison Margiela ensemble, while Jeremy Strong's bold red suit paid homage to Springsteen's "Nebraska" album.

Newlyweds Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco made a splash as they made their debut as a married couple, and Demi Moore shared laughs with Lucy Liu. The night was a celebration of cinema's past, present, and future, with stars like Adam Sandler and Olivia Rodrigo gracing the blue carpet.

Celebrating Cinema's Legacy

The gala also celebrated this year's films, with guests sharing their favorites of 2025 so far. "Sinners," "One Battle After Another," and "Hamnet" topped the list. Stars also suggested memorable props or costumes they'd like to see in the museum, sparking conversations about cinema's enduring impact.

The Academy Museum Gala was not just a night of celebration but a reminder of cinema's power to inspire and transform, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating next year's event.