The 2022 BAFTA awards will be airing live on Sunday night amid a somber backdrop due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine – with Award organisers telling stars to keep this in mind when it comes to dressing for the event.
A host of celebrities from Hollywood have jetted in to London for the glitzy event but fans should anticipate a solemn colour palate on the red carpet.
Bosses have given strict instructions to keep clear of extravagant outfits or wearing anything that could be considered controversial – and hints that the show will pay tribute to those struggling against Russia’s illegal war actions.
This means the likes of Lady Gaga, who is nominated for the Best Actress gong, or show host Rebel Wilson, who will oversee events from the Royal Albert Hall, will likely be dressed in black for the event.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Several senior showbiz agents have advised stars to dress respectably, amid fears attention-grabbing dresses and suits would appear distasteful in light of the Ukraine conflict.
“The last thing they want is something like Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress or anything too controversial.”
A high number of A Listers are expected to attend Sunday night’s event – with Benedict Cumberbatch, Jessie Buckley and Tessa Thompson among those nominated.
The event has, however, attracted scorn for going ahead amid the concerns sparked by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine – which has seen thousands of innocent civilians reported as killed by Russian weapons fire while over one million refugees have reportedly fled the war-torn country.
Janet Street Porter has taken aim at the BAFTAs in a scathing open letter where she suggested it would be in better taste for the event to be cancelled this year.
She wrote for the Daily Mail: “It's business as usual. The organisers clearly believe 'we've got through covid, let's carry on enjoying ourselves'.
“Wouldn't we respect them more, if someone back at mission control had the guts to stand up and say- 'let's call the whole thing off until peace is restored in Ukraine. This backslapping and awarding is grotesque’.”
Last weekend, the Independent Spirit Awards took place in Los Angeles – with celebrities speaking out against Russia and Vladimir Putin’s actions at the event.
Director Questlove, whose film ‘Summer of Soul’ won best documentary, spoke out amid the conflict while accepting his award.
He said: “My heart is with the people over there and what they're going through. But yeah, I'm very familiar with that feeling of trying to create art while the world burns.”
Actor Jason Isaacs, who was nominated for his role in Mass, confessed he struggled to see the point of awards shows at the same time as the current conflict.
He said: "I'm sure, like a lot of people, I was in many minds about coming and I thought, well, inside this tent are storytellers who want to use cinema for what it's meant for, which is an engine for empathy.
“And if there's ever a time when stories have value, it's a time of enormous crisis.”
While former Twilight star Kristen Stewart, who recently played Lady Diana in the divisive film, Spencer, about the late royal’s life said: "Today we are compelled to stand with the people of Ukraine.
"They are risking their lives to fight for those very things. We stand for the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing this war, both Ukrainians and those of other nationalities being denied safe harbor."
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