Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande Promote Sisterhood at Academy Women’s Lunch

‘Tis the season for sisterhood.

Los Angeles has hosted a crush of female-focused events lately, like The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment breakfast, Elle’s Women in Hollywood affair and the Women in Film Honors, all of which celebrate the gender’s impact both in front of and behind the camera. But the latest installment, a fashionable affair situated on the deck of the Academy Museum’s stunning open-air sphere on Tuesday, was the only one presented by Chanel in partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Meaning that many of the A-list attendees who made the rounds inside the afternoon gathering were dressed in chic threads by the French fashion house and the guest list featured high-profile actresses, directors, producers, writers, agents and other creative insiders.

There also happened to be a couple of recently nominated multi-hyphenates like Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez, whose sisterly interactions during the luncheon generated headlines and viral social media posts before guests exited and handed over their tickets to the valet. That’s what happens when two pop superstars converge for lunch and one of them calls the other “an angel on Earth,” like Grande did in a caption referencing to her table mate Gomez along with a picture of their manicured hands covering their Wolfgang Puck-crafted menus. (Viral is putting it lightly, considering Grande has 376 million Instagram followers to Gomez’s 423 million.)

It was Gomez, however, who had the honor of speaking on the subject as she delivered the event’s keynote address, which covered the power of “amplifying women’s voices” and “the strength we find when we come together as a community.” Speaking of, she spoke the words while standing at the podium in front of awards season standouts like Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Gia Coppola, Halina Reijn, Rachel Morrison, Ryan Destiny and June Squibb, and Awkwafina, Joanna Calo, Ruth E. Carter, Joan Chen, Ava DuVernay, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Erin Foster, Sara Foster, Gal Gadot, Eve Hewson, Regina King, Connie Nielsen, Sarah Paulson, Olivia Wilde, Rita Wilson and others.

“I recently had the privilege of working on Emilia Perez, a project that brought together an extraordinary team of women in front and behind the camera,” Gomez said in opening her remarks, referencing the Netflix musical from Jacques Audiard for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. “Every detail in this film was a testament to the talent and brilliance of women in film. And the women of Emilia Perez didn’t just bring their skills, they brought their souls in creating something truly transformative. Sometimes it’s greater to experience a set where collaboration is the foundation, where every single voice is heard and valued.”

The 32-year-old, who has regularly been dubbed a billionaire for her business empire, mentioned her side hustles from the stage. “When I started my cosmetics line, Rare Beauty, it wasn’t just about starting a line of makeup. I didn’t want to create just a beauty line. I wanted to create a movement, one that prioritized mental health and gave back to those in need. The Rare Impact Fund is more than raising awareness. It’s about taking action to ensure that underserved communities have access to mental health resources. It’s about showing that when we come together, we can make a real difference.”

She also raised her hand to offer a soft place to land for women who might need it. “If you ever feel lonely, I’m usually on my phone playing some sort of weird game,” she said. “So, just come up to me and I’ll be happy to chat. Whether you’re a director, a writer, an actress, a designer, or just starting to dream about being a part of this industry, know that there is a place for you.”

Gomez continued: “Let’s also commit to continuing this legacy of collaboration, inclusion and empowerment. Let’s keep telling stories that matter, uplifting voices that need to heard and supporting one another in every way that we can.”

The Academy and Chanel continued a commitment to lifting up the next generation by using the event to highlight a collaboration on this year’s Gold Fellowships for Women. Part of the Academy’s global talent development and inclusion work, the fellowship is a one-year program that combines support, mentorship and access to networking opportunities for emerging women filmmakers. The Academy doles out two fellowships annually, one to a U.S.-based filmmaker and one to a non-U.S.-based filmmaker.

Warner Bros. chief Pam Abdy, who also serves on the Academy executives branch, took the stage during the luncheon to present this year’s Gold Fellowships to recipients Raha Amirfazli and Shadi Karamroudi, the latter of whom could not attend due to Visa restrictions in traveling out of her native Iran. However, underscoring the theme of sisterhood, Yang announced from the stage that she joined Amirfazli and other luncheon guests for a FaceTime call with Karamroudi so she could join the celebration briefly. Tears were shed Yang said, later adding, “Sisterhood is extremely powerful.”

In her remarks, Abdy, a veteran producer and studio executive, took a moment to name check the women who helped lift her up early in her career. “As someone who has the great privilege to count many incredible women as mentors and support systems throughout my career, I’m personally so thrilled that [the Gold Fellowship program] exists and that the Academy and its members understand the importance of creating space for the next generation. It is because of women like Sherry Lansing and Stacy Sher that I get to stand here today to introduce to you these amazing women who are helping to usher in a new era of cinema this year.”

In the same vein, the event also underscored Chanel’s longtime support of the cinematic arts which furthers the mission of house founder Gabrielle Chanel who worked with top auteurs in her day. Something that wasn’t lost on Grande, who thanked both the Academy and Chanel in a separate post following the event. “Had the loveliest time celebrating so many remarkable women who’s work I love and am so inspired by,” Grande shared, tagging the luncheon partners. “Thank you for all that you do to lift up female filmmakers and artists.” Glinda would be proud.