Why are stars wearing blue ribbons at the Oscars?

May 2024 · 3 minute read

HOLLYWOOD'S elite have again gathered to celebrate the stars of the big screen at this year's Oscars.

Eagle-eyed viewers may have spotted A-listers wearing blue ribbons at the ceremony on March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in LA.

What do the blue ribbons mean at the Oscars?

As well as the usual glitz and glam on the red carpet, a host of attendees sported a heart-warming accessory for the awards.

Celebrities touchingly donned blue ribbons for the Academy Awards to show solidarity with refugees across the world.

Famous faces threw their weight behind the UN Refugee Agency's #WithRefugees campaign at this year's Oscars.

The blue ribbons were worn as an "emblem of compassion" with those who are forced to seek asylum or have been displaced because of war, conflict, and persecution.

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The UNHCR said in a statement: "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."

Each of the ribbons were intricately handcrafted by a team at the Knotty Tie Co.

The company in Denver, Colorado, helps and supports resettled refugees with jobs, training and education.

Stars also previously wore the blue ribbons at the BAFTAs, with the likes of Colin Farrell, Daryl McCormack and Paul Mescal sporting one.

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Who was wearing a blue ribbon?

Cate Blanchett, who was nominated for Best Actress, carried the torch for the cause at the Oscars.

She compelled a string of stars, including pal Jamie Lee Curtis, to back the blue ribbons.

The Aussie pinned hers to her turquoise and black custom-made Louis Vuitton gown while speaking in support of refugees.

Cate said in a statement: "What I love about film is the way it draws us into compelling human themes to uncover the connective tissue that binds us all.

"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."

Jamie Lee, who won Best Supporting Actress, added: "My friend Cate Blanchett is asking people to remind us all in the midst of all the season of shiny things that, of course, there are terrible refugee crises going on all over the world everywhere all at once, and we need to do our part."

A host of other celebs joined the pair in pinning on their blue ribbons for the high-profile awards ceremony.

Brit actor Bill Nighy, Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, director Edward Berger and Filipino actress Dolly De Leon also wore them.

Read More on The US Sun

Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini said of the move: "It's really incredible to see so many artists wear a blue ribbon tonight in solidarity with refugees and displaced people around the world.

"My people—and so many others—are hurting. They need our support. We all need peace."

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