Lady Gaga has defended the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards after the ceremony was criticised for taking place amid the crisis in Ukraine.
The star-studded bash took place at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar in California on Sunday night, but many had slammed the organisers for holding the awards after Russian forces sparked global revolt after invading Ukraine.
Lady Gaga, who was nominated for her role in House of Gucci, took to Instagram to defend the SAG Awards, and said she hoped the ceremony brought escapism to those watching at home.
“My true wish tonight is that for two hours myself and my fellow actors at @sagawards would have made the public smile,” she wrote, alongside a peek of her red carpet look.
“I’m honored to have been there, it is a privilege to be an entertainer. There are many reasons the world gives us all the time NOT to smile,” Gaga continued.
“I’m praying tonight for Ukraine and am sending smiles to all your hearts I pray will be whole soon.”
Some were outraged over the decision to go ahead with the awards bash, and took to Twitter to vent their frustration.
"Hollywood should have foregone the SAG awards and held a fund raiser for Ukraine instead," one suggested, as another viewer called the ceremony "tone deaf".
"Instead of flaunting yourselves, the SAG Awards should be cancelled to show solidarity and support with Ukraine," one posted.
"How many sleeping bags and other supplies could be purchased for the refugees from Ukraine for the cost of one of the dresses or suits being worn to the SAG award show? Awards are not important," one fumed.
"Rich people are in dresses drinking champagne at the #SAGAwards as Ukraine civilians are LITERALLY fighting for their lives. i hate it here," another tweeted.
"It really seems odd to be covering the #SAGAwards when the situation in the #Ukraine is so bad. Like hey, let's celebrate a bunch of rich actors when an entire country's freedom is at stake," one posted.
The 35-year-old singer/actress wore a white column gown by Armani Privé, which featured a gold sequinned plunging neckline, and accessories with a diamond Tiffany & Co. necklace.
She lost out on the night to Jessica Chastain, who scooped the honour of Female Actor in a Leading Role for her role as an evangelist in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Other famous faces and winners at the ceremony spoke about the crisis unfolding in Ukraine, with Brian Cox among those heaping praise on the country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
While accepting the Drama Series Ensemble for HBO’s hit Succession, the Scottish-born actor called the Russian attack “very, very awful”.
“The thing that's really distressed me is what's happening in Russia to my fellow actors and actresses and performers and writers and critics,” he said during his speech.
“They are told, under pain of high treason, that they cannot say a word about Ukraine and I think that is pretty awful.”
While Michael Douglas walked the red carpet wearing the a pocket square representing the colours of the Ukrainian flag, and Andrew Garfield touched upon the celebrations amid an escalating global crisis.
“It is odd to be dressing up here in this moment,” he told E! News, while adding he was “keeping all of Ukraine in our hearts”.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033
