Inside Chanel's Academy Women's Luncheon With Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande

What do you get when you gather some of the biggest women in film for a lunch hosted by Chanel? A star-studded afternoon filled with uplifting speeches and chic outfits, of course! As was the case during the Academy Women’s Luncheon at Los Angeles’ imaginative Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

For the December 10 event, the French fashion house, which has a rich history of supporting cinema, brought together women from all parts of the filmmaking community to celebrate their progress, achievements, and futures in the industry. The lavish soirée’s guest list was jam-packed with A-listers, including none other than Selena Gomez as its keynote speaker.

Not only did the singer-actress-producer inspire, but she delighted, opening her note with a quip: "I’m sure you're ready to go home or you're tipsy enough to enjoy what I'm about to say.” Gomez was truly dressed like the woman of the hour in a black tweed skirt suit composed of a cropped blazer with a white collar and cuffs and a matching pencil skirt with decorative buttons down her left leg.

The multi-hyphenate paired the Chanel ensemble with sheer black tights, white platform wedges with a peep-toe design and double-ankle straps, plus a smattering of diamond rings. Gomez styled her brunette lob down and straight with a middle part and glammed up with classic French-girl makeup, complete with dusty-pink eyeshadow, a black cat eye, peachy blush, and a coral-pink lip.

During her speech, the Emilia Pérez star spoke to the power of community, “We, as women, are rising up higher when we work together…When I started my cosmetics line, Rare Beauty, it wasn’t just about starting a line of makeup. I didn’t want to create just a beauty line, I wanted to create a movement, one that prioritized mental health and gave back to those in need,” she said in reference to the Rare Impact Fund.

In addition to graciously and sweetly thanking Chanel for dressing her, Gomez left guests with a poignant call to action: “I know firsthand how isolating this industry can feel at times, but moments like this, in rooms like this, talking to all these amazing women reminds me that I’m not alone. And, when we are alone, we share and we stand together, we create a ripple effect that stretches far beyond our own lives. That’s why events like the Academy Women’s Luncheon are so pertinent. They’re a celebration of our collective achievements, but they’re also a reminder of the work we still have to do.”

Once Gomez wrapped up her remarks, she did plenty of mingling, including with her table-mate Ariana Grande. The child stars put on a real display of sisterhood, posing for smiley photos and sharing their excitement over each other’s Golden Globe nominations. The two are both up for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role; Gomez for Emilia Pérez and Grande for Wicked.

The “yes, and?” singer might’ve left her Glinda pinks at home, but she dazzled in Chanel, too. Grande stunned in a gray tweed minidress with a sleeveless, plunging V-neckline design, and an A-line silhouette. She wore the centerpiece over black sheer tights and paired it with black pointed-toe heels, white gold-and-diamond earrings, and layers of rings.

Beyond Gomez and Grande, guests were lining up to chat with Hollywood legend Pamela Anderson, who radiated in Chanel cashmere tweed pants, a white knit blouse with ruffled cuffs, ballet flats, and a quilted purse. Meanwhile, Sarah Paulson, who also opted for an elegant all-white get-up and a red-hot lip, flitted from table to table like the social butterfly she is.

Mila Kunis offered some contrast in monochromatic black, while Amy Adams looked business-chic in a button down shirt. Also, Olivia Wilde went preppy in a collared long sleeve polo and Gal Gadot brought some edge in baggy black leather pants.

But there was more: Eve Hewson proved denim is appropriate for every occasion in dark wash overalls while Ryan Destiny looked ethereal in a flouncy cold-shoulder top, and Kristen Bell leaned into colors with a cheery yellow cardigan.

While each celeb shined bright, the most in-demand attendee was perhaps the silver cups of French fries that almost every guest ended up asking for.

And, keeping true to all the work industry change-makers still have to do, as Gomez explained, the ceremony doubled as a presentation for the sixth annual Gold Fellowship for Women. The Academy’s aforementioned one-year program provides support, mentorship, and resources to two next generation filmmakers each year. This year’s lucky creatives were Raha Amirfazli and Shadi Karamroudi.

—With reporting by Jason Sheeler

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