Academy Museum Gala 2026: Best dressed stars hit the red carpet in LA

Hollywood’s biggest stars, including 14-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift, stepped out in Los Angeles on Saturday night for the invitation-only Academy Museum Gala.

Now in its sixth year, the glamorous event takes place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and serves as its largest annual fundraiser, supporting film exhibitions, screenings and other programs for members and the public.

Swift, who was scheduled to give a highly anticipated performance during the gala, commanded attention on the red carpet in a strapless pale blue gown that accentuated her tiny waist.

The 36-year-old singer also debuted a shorter hairstyle, wearing her curls around her face with one side tucked neatly behind her ear.

She completed the look with diamond chandelier earrings that complemented the sparkling rhinestone embellishments across her gown’s bodice.

For her makeup, the Anti-Hero hitmaker stayed loyal to her signature winged eyeliner.

Rather than her trademark red lipstick, however, Swift opted for a soft mauve-pink shade that coordinated with her blush.

Hollywood's biggest names - including 14-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift - emerged in Los Angeles on Saturday night to attend the invite-only Academy Museum Gala

Taylor Swift was among Hollywood’s biggest names attending Saturday night’s invitation-only Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles

Kate Hudson looked straight out of vintage Hollywood as she modeled a breathtaking blush-toned strapless gown

Kate Hudson channeled vintage Hollywood glamour in a stunning blush-toned strapless gown

Jessica Biel, 44, put on a show-stopping display in a sexy black halter gown with a daring thigh-high slit

Jessica Biel, 44, made a dramatic entrance in a black halter gown featuring a daring thigh-high slit

Love Story star Sarah Pidgeon, who became a household name after portraying the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, struck a stylish pose in a bright red sequin frock

Love Story star Sarah Pidgeon, who rose to household-name status portraying the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, posed in a striking red sequin dress

Swift’s husband Travis Kelce, 36, was not by her side. The couple famously wed in July at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden.

She did, however, carry a dazzling reminder of Kelce: the massive diamond engagement ring he gave her in August 2025. The ring was reportedly valued at between $500,000 and $1 million.

Kate Hudson evoked the glamour of classic Hollywood in a breathtaking blush-colored strapless gown.

The 47-year-old Oscar nominee styled her bright blonde hair in curls inspired by silver-screen icon Veronica Lake.

Jessica Biel, 44, turned heads as she arrived with her longtime husband, Justin Timberlake, 45, wearing a sultry black halter gown with a bold thigh-high slit.

The actress, who shares two sons with Timberlake, posed with one toned leg exposed to highlight her sky-high Christian Louboutin heels.

A black feather boa added another touch of old-Hollywood drama as Biel made her way along the event’s star-studded red carpet.

Love Story star Sarah Pidgeon, who became a household name after portraying the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, made a stylish impression in a vibrant red sequin frock.

The 30-year-old blonde completed the look with a matching red pedicure and white strappy heels.

Karlie Kloss, 34, stunned onlookers in an elegant black sleeveless gown with an Old Hollywood-inspired fur-trim waistline. 

Brittany Snow looked every bit the bombshell in a sexy red sequin gown that showed off her killer figure as she posed for photographers ahead of the event.

Swift, who is set to deliver at hotly anticipated performance at the gala, stole the show on the red carpet in a strapless pale blue gown

Swift, who is set to deliver at hotly anticipated performance at the gala, stole the show on the red carpet in a strapless pale blue gown

The gown highlighted her tiny waist thanks to its corset bodice

The gown highlighted her tiny waist thanks to its corset bodice

The 36-year-old singer also debuted shorter hair, which she had styled in curls that framed her face with one side tucked behind her ear

The 36-year-old singer also debuted shorter hair, which she had styled in curls that framed her face with one side tucked behind her ear

Missing from Swift's side was her husband Travis Kelce, 36, who she married in July

Missing from Swift’s side was her husband Travis Kelce, 36, who she married in July

As for accessories, Swift wore sparkly diamond chandelier earrings

As for accessories, Swift wore sparkly diamond chandelier earrings

Hudson, 47, wore her bright blonde strands in curls inspired by silver screen icon Veronica Lake

Hudson, 47, wore her bright blonde strands in curls inspired by silver screen icon Veronica Lake

The actress appeared to be having a blast striking pose after pose on the red carpet

The actress appeared to be having a blast striking pose after pose on the red carpet

The actress appeared to be having a blast striking pose after pose on the red carpet

Jessica Biel, 44, put on a show-stopping display in a sexy black halter gown with a daring thigh-high slit

Jessica Biel, 44, put on a show-stopping display in a sexy black halter gown with a daring thigh-high slit

She was joined by longtime husband Justin Timberlake, 45

She was joined by longtime husband Justin Timberlake, 45

The couple looked smitten with one another on the red carpet

 The couple looked smitten with one another on the red carpet

Timberlake wore a chic all-black look, which he accessorized with sunglasses

Timberlake wore a chic all-black look, which he accessorized with sunglasses

The actress, 40, reunited with her Pitch Perfect co-star Anna Kendrick, 41, who took the plunge in a black gown with a daringly low neckline that showed off her cleavage.

Goth, who is fresh off her divorce from fellow actor Shia LaBeouf, looked incredible in a black robe-like gown with black sequin details that matched her purse.

Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, 53, suited up in a classic black tuxedo to pose beside his glamorous designer girlfriend Georgina Chapman, 50, who is the ex-wife of disgraced Hollywood producer and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein.

For the star-studded event, Chapman slipped her runway-worthy figure into a striking nude illusion gown covered in black floral appliqués. 

SNL icon Kristen Wiig, 53, went topless under a chic black tuxedo jacket, which she styled with straight trousers and stiletto heels. 

Swift is set to deliver a hotly anticipated performance at the gala’s closing on Saturday night, following the red carpet festivities and honorees.

Swift wrote the original song I Knew It, I Knew You for this summer’s roaring box office hit Toy Story 5, making her eligible for a nomination at the next Oscars.

Academy Museum president Amy Homma hailed Swift, 36, as ‘an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world,’ in a statement announcing her booking.

Adding to the glamour, Biel had a black feather boa draped around her as she made the walk down the event's starry red carpet

Adding to the glamour, Biel had a black feather boa draped around her as she made the walk down the event’s starry red carpet

Her gown also had a lengthy velvet train

Her gown also had a lengthy velvet train

The actress, who shares two sons with Timberlake, posed with one toned legs sticking out, as to show off her sky-high Christian Louboutin heels

The actress, who shares two sons with Timberlake, posed with one toned legs sticking out, as to show off her sky-high Christian Louboutin heels 

‘We are thrilled to welcome her to this year’s gala and look forward to her performance to close a wonderful evening of honoring three extraordinary filmmakers and supporting the Academy Museum’s mission to celebrate and preserve cinema.’ 

This year’s Academy Museum Gala is honoring Oscar winner Charlize Theron, Oscar nominee Colman Domingo and Halloween director John Carpenter.

Theron will be given the Icon Award for global impact, which at past ceremonies has gone to Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz, Meryl Streep and Rita Moreno.

Domingo is being bequeathed the Vantage Award, a tip of the hat to artists who fly in the face of the prevailing narratives in cinema.

His predecessors in receiving the gong include Michael B Jordan, Paul Mescal, 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen and Saturday Night Live alumnus Bowen Yang.

Carpenter, who is also a noted composer, is being garlanded with the Luminary Award for those whose work has broadened the scope of creativity in cinema.

In previous years, the prize has been presented to Quentin Tarantino and to Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles, whose 2024 political drama I’m Still Here won the Oscar for best international feature months after he was feted at the museum.

Karlie Kloss, 34, stunned onlookers in an elegant black sleeveless gown with an Old Hollywood-inspired fur-trim waistline

Karlie Kloss, 34, stunned onlookers in an elegant black sleeveless gown with an Old Hollywood-inspired fur-trim waistline

Snow looked every bit the blonde bombshell in a sexy red sequin gown

Snow looked every bit the blonde bombshell in a sexy red sequin gown

The dress showed off her killer figure as she posed for photographers ahead of the event

 The dress showed off her killer figure as she posed for photographers ahead of the event

The actress, 40, reunited with her Pitch Perfect co-star Anna Kendrick

The actress, 40, reunited with her Pitch Perfect co-star Anna Kendrick

Kendrick,41, who took the plunge in a black gown with a daringly low neckline that showed off her cleavage

Kendrick,41, who took the plunge in a black gown with a daringly low neckline that showed off her cleavage

Mia Goth, who is fresh off her divorce from fellow actor Shia LaBeouf, looked incredible in a black robe-like gown with black sequin details that matched her purse

Mia Goth, who is fresh off her divorce from fellow actor Shia LaBeouf, looked incredible in a black robe-like gown with black sequin details that matched her purse

Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, 53, suited up in a classic black tuxedo to pose beside his glamorous designer girlfriend Georgina Chapman, 50

Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, 53, suited up in a classic black tuxedo to pose beside his glamorous designer girlfriend Georgina Chapman, 50

For the invite-only soiree, Chapman slipped her runway-worthy figure into a striking nude illusion gown covered in black floral appliqués

For the invite-only soiree, Chapman slipped her runway-worthy figure into a striking nude illusion gown covered in black floral appliqués

SNL icon Kristen Wiig, 53, went topless under a chic black tuxedo jacket, which she styled with straight trousers and stiletto heels

SNL icon Kristen Wiig, 53, went topless under a chic black tuxedo jacket, which she styled with straight trousers and stiletto heels

Homma showered praise on Theron, Domingo and Carpenter for their ‘extraordinary careers,’ which she said ‘exemplify the creativity, innovation, and excellence that continues to move the industry forward.’

Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw are co-chairing the awards ceremony along with Spy Kids director Robert Rodriguez. 

Swift’s performance comes after the publicity whirlwind attending her 1,000-guest wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in July.

In the wake of her nuptials, she released four new songs including the hit single Patient Zero for the deluxe ‘encore’ edition of her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl.

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