Hollywood celebrities seized the spotlight at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday, using the prestigious event to voice their opinions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the conflict in Iran.
The 98th Academy Awards unfolded at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where stars arrived with a mix of glamour and political messages. Heightened security was evident, stemming from concerns over possible Iranian retaliation against the U.S.
Amid the glitz of the red carpet, activist Glennon Doyle made a bold statement, carrying a black clutch adorned with the provocative message ‘f*** ICE.’ Her spouse, former soccer star Abby Wambach, joined her, sporting a pin that read ‘ICE OUT,’ which Doyle also wore on her dress.
Adding to the chorus of dissent, singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and costume designer Malgosia Turzanska were also seen donning the same brooch, signaling their shared stance on the issue.
Her wife Abby Wambach, a former soccer player, stood beside her wearing a pin that said ICE OUT, which Doyle also had pinned on her dress.
Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles was also spotted wearing the same brooch, along with costume designer Malgosia Turzanska.
Others also wore a pin from the political collective Artists4Ceasefire, which is calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war.
British actress Charithra Chandran spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about her decision to wear the pin.
Glennon Doyle, right, is seen here with her wife Abby Wambach on the Oscars red carpet. She showed off a black clutch bag emblazoned with the politically-charged phrase f*** ICE
British actress Charithra Chandran also wore a red pin calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war
Glennon Doyle’s clutch is seen here with the political message emblazoned over the top of it
‘What we are demanding is a ceasefire in Gaza, I think that I am so blessed to have a platform and this is the least I could do to use it,’ she said.
‘Sometimes the news cycle is so fast and people move on but the people in Gaza and the West Bank are still suffering.’
Chandran was seen wearing the pin when being interviewed, but it was not on her dress when she posed for portraits.
Actress Saja Kilani, who stars in The Voice of Hind Rajab about the killing of a six-year-old Palestinian girl, was also spotted wearing the red pin alongside her co-star Amer Hlehel.
She told Deadline: ‘There is no ceasefire right now, there are bombings happening to this day. Destruction, displacement, all over the world.
‘Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and Venezuela, everywhere. This is a demand for a permanent ceasefire.’
Her fellow cast member, Israeli actress Clara Khoury, added: ‘It’s happening in the US, ICE. What’s happening in America, what’s happening with ICE, it’s all connected.
‘We are all the same, we are all human and hatred is a cancer.
‘People should open their hearts, our governments should acknowledge the other and be accountable to their atrocities everywhere.’
Host Conan O’Brien mentioned heightened security in his opening monologue while also sarcastically commenting that all was well in the world despite conflicts around the globe.
Similar pins were seen earlier this year at the Golden Globes, with Mark Ruffalo and other A-listers honoring the memory of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
Saja Kilani is seen here wearing the Artists4Ceasefire on her black gown
Kilani is seen here alongside Clara Khoury, the pair called out the war in Gaza, the ongoing situation in Iran and ICE during an interview on Sunday night. Amer Hlehel is seen between the two also wearing a pin
Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles is seen here on the left wearing a ICE out pin on the red carpet
Sinners is tipped to sweep the night with a record-breaking 16 nominations, closely followed by One Battle After Another, which sees Leonardo DiCaprio up for Best Actor.
Stars including Nicole Kidman, Pedro Pascal, Rose Byrne, Delroy Lindo and Jimmy Kimmel will present some of the awards.
Strict security measures have been put in place for the ceremony amid concerns over a potential Iranian retaliatory strike against the US.
While officials stressed they have no direct intelligence of a specific threat, precautions are being taken.
The LAPD confirmed that around 1,000 private security officers will be on duty for the show.
