Why were people wearing blue ribbons to the 2023 Oscars?
Cate Blanchett among Hollywood stars adding ribbons to their outfits for Hollywood’s biggest night
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cate Blanchett made a statement of solidarity with refugees on the Oscars champagne-coloured carpet as she added a blue ribbon to her outfit on Hollywood’s biggest night.
The Australian star, nominated for Best Actress for her role in Tár, wore the ribbon over a turquoise and black custom-made Louis Vuitton gown in support of the UN Refugee Agency.
“What I love about film is the way it draws us into compelling human themes to uncover the connective tissue that binds us all,” she said in a statement.
“Whenever I have met refugees — in places such as Lebanon, Jordan or Bangladesh, in the UK, or back home in Australia — what has struck me has not been their ‘otherness’ but how many things we share in common.”
Blanchett was joined by stars including Bill Nighy, who is nominated for his first Oscar for his performance in Living, Edward Berger, director of All Quiet On The Western Front, and Filipino actress Dolly De Leon, who starred in 2022 film Triangle Of Sadness.
Each ribbon was handcrafted by a team at the Knotty Tie Co., a company in Denver, Colorado, that supports resettled refugees with jobs, training and education.
“The wearing of the blue #WithRefugees ribbon on the red carpet sends a powerful visual message that everyone has the right to seek safety – whoever, wherever, whenever they are,” wrote the UNHCR in a statement.
Blanchett has previously won two Oscars from seven nominations.
The ribbons were also visible at the BAFTAs, where Colin Farrell, Daryl McCormack and Paul Mescal, among others wore them.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments