Charlize Theron made headlines after joking about not being invited to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s $50 million Venice wedding, calling the guests “uncool” while highlighting global crises.
The Oscar-winning actress took a sharp jab at the billionaire couple during her charity event, contrasting their extravagant celebration with pressing world issues. Her comments sparked reactions from fans and other celebrities, with some praising her honesty and others calling her remarks bitter.
Charlize Theron’s Bold Remarks at Charity Event
During the fifth annual Block Party for her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, Theron openly mocked the high-profile wedding. The event, held in Los Angeles, focuses on youth health and safety initiatives in South Africa.
“I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the Bezos wedding. But that’s OK because they suck and we’re cool,” Theron joked.
She then shifted to serious topics, criticizing global injustices:
“Especially when the world feels like it’s burning because it is. Here in Los Angeles, in the US, and across the globe, we’re moving backwards fast. Immigration policy has destroyed the lives of families, not criminals; women’s rights are becoming less and less every day; queer and trans lives are increasingly being erased; and gender-based violence is on the rise. This isn’t just policy, it’s personal.”
She ended with a blunt “Yeah, f** them,”* which drew applause from the audience.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s Lavish Wedding
The three-day wedding celebration in Venice reportedly cost $50 million and included a star-studded guest list. Attendees included Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, Ivanka Trump, and Orlando Bloom. The event featured a private ceremony, a welcome party, and a farewell pajama party.
Despite the glamour, the wedding faced backlash. Venetian protesters criticized Bezos for his wealth and tax practices, unfurling banners in St. Mark’s Square. Activist group No Space for Bezos called the wedding exploitative, accusing the city’s mayor of prioritizing spectacle over housing shortages.
Celebrities React to Theron’s Comments
Theron wasn’t alone in criticizing the wedding. Rosie O’Donnell called the event “gross excess” in a Substack post:
“It turned my stomach seeing all these billionaires gathering in the gross excess of it all. The show of it. Is Oprah friends with Jeff Bezos? Really—how is that possible? He treats his employees with disdain. By any metric, he is not a nice man.”
Others, like Mia Farrow and Olivia Munn, praised Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Scott for her philanthropy. Farrow shared a post highlighting Scott’s $19.3 billion in donations to over 1,600 charities.
Katie Couric also took a dig at Sanchez’s wedding dress, calling it “tacky” in a since-deleted Instagram comment:
“Welcome to the eighties—when big hair and conspicuous consumption ruled. Apparently tacky is back.”
Bezos and Sanchez Reportedly “Livid” Over Theron’s Remarks
According to celebrity reporter Rob Shuter, Bezos was furious upon hearing Theron’s comments, while Sanchez had to be “talked down” from responding on Instagram. The couple has allegedly banned Theron from future events, including Blue Origin launches and their charity galas.
Despite the backlash, Theron’s supporters applauded her for speaking out. Social media reactions were mixed:
“She must not have gotten an invite.”
“Sounds like someone is upset because they didn’t get invited….”
“Hollywood = High school with money.”
Venice Protests and Charitable Donations
The wedding faced criticism not just from celebrities but also from locals. Protesters accused Bezos of avoiding taxes while flaunting his wealth. In response, the couple reportedly made charitable donations to Venice and asked guests to contribute to local causes instead of giving gifts.
Final Thoughts
Charlize Theron’s comments have reignited debates about wealth disparity and celebrity culture. While some see her remarks as justified criticism, others view them as sour grapes. Meanwhile, Bezos and Sanchez continue to face scrutiny over their extravagant lifestyle.
Credits: Compiled from reports by Vanity Fair, and The Daily Beast.
