- Cannes 2025 kicks off with a star-studded red carpet despite new fashion rules.
- Robert De Niro receives Palme d’Or and criticizes Trump in a fiery speech.
- Uorfi Javed opens up about missing her Cannes debut due to a visa rejection.
The 78th Festival de Cannes opened with a dazzling red carpet, where celebrities like Halle Berry, Bella Hadid, and Heidi Klum made bold fashion statements despite new dress code restrictions.
Meanwhile, Robert De Niro’s acceptance of the Palme d’Or was a standout moment. Leonardo DiCaprio presented the honor to the 81-year-old actor, who used the platform to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump for cutting arts funding and imposing heavy taxes on foreign films.
Cannes 2025: Drama Unfolds On and Off the Red Carpet as De Niro Takes a Stand
Day one of the 78th Festival de Cannes brought high-fashion drama as celebrities navigated the event’s newly enforced dress code. Halle Berry had to leave her custom Gaurav Gupta gown behind as it violated the ban on long trains, a move that disappointed the actress, who had planned a show-stopping look. Nonetheless, not everyone adhered to the rules — Heidi Klum and Wan Qianhui drew attention with their extravagant gowns, defying the restrictions and igniting debates on the red carpet.
Meanwhile, Robert De Niro’s Palme d’Or acceptance turned into a striking political statement. De Niro, who was honored by Leonardo DiCaprio, took the opportunity to criticize President Trump’s recent policies affecting the arts. Referring to Trump as a “philistine,” De Niro condemned the new 100% tax on foreign films and urged the public to fight against rising autocratic tendencies.
In a more personal revelation, social media star Uorfi Javed shared a heartfelt post about missing her planned Cannes debut due to a visa rejection. The fashion influencer expressed her disappointment, thanking Diipa Khosla and Kshitij Kankaria for the opportunity and encouraging her followers to share their own rejection stories using the hashtag #rejected. Uorfi’s open letter resonated with many, drawing supportive comments from fans and celebrities alike.
The opening day of Cannes 2025 showcased not just glitz and glamour but also how fashion can be a statement — whether it’s Halle Berry choosing to follow the rules or Heidi Klum defiantly breaking them. And as De Niro reminded the audience, the power of art goes beyond the screen, serving as a platform for voices that challenge the status quo.
Cannes 2025 has only just begun, but the opening day has already set the stage for more drama, fashion statements, and powerful messages in the days to come.
“Every rejection is an opportunity if you look carefully,” Uorfi Javed wrote, encouraging her followers to turn setbacks into motivation amid her Cannes disappointment.
