The Oscars red carpet is usually all about glitz glamour and "who are you wearing?". But at the 2025 Academy Awards actor Guy Pearce decided to use his moment in the spotlight to send a message. He showed up wearing a "Free Palestine" pin and it definitely got people talking.
'The Brutalist' Star Wears 'Free Palestine' Pin Amid Oscars Protest
Guy Pearce nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Brutalist walked the red carpet in a classic tuxedo. But if you looked closely you would have spotted a small but significant accessory on his lapel. It was a pin with a white dove and the words "Free Palestine".
This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Pearce has been wearing these pins for a while now at public events as a way to show his support for Palestinians. Even before the Oscars he had said he planned to wear one for the big night. His action comes as protests about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were happening right outside the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars were held.
Not Backing Down: Guy Pearce Defends His Pro-Palestine Stance
Some might think wearing a political pin at the Oscars is risky but Guy Pearce is not one to shy away from controversy. Back at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024 he wore a Palestinian flag pin. Vanity Fair France actually photoshopped the pin out of a photo of him on their website causing an even bigger stir. Pearce responded saying it was "most unfortunate" for a publication to try to erase support for Palestinians who are "suffering great trauma and loss".
His Oscars pin comes at a tense time too. Talks between Israel and Hamas had stalled and a ceasefire was about to end. Dove pins like the one Pearce wore have become symbols of peace and solidarity with civilians in Gaza who have been affected by bombings. Pearce himself has said "It’s the least we can do" to show support.
'It's What It Absolutely Needs': Pearce Explains Why He's Speaking Out for Palestine
In a statement Guy Pearce made it clear why he feels it is important to speak up. "I’m just always on the case of trying to recognize Palestine and it having as much support as it possibly can because it’s what it absolutely needs" he said. He also mentioned thinking about "people who are less privileged whether they are people with disabilities or whether they are people under occupation people who struggle with climate change." For Pearce it is about recognizing those who are less fortunate especially "when things are so imbalanced".
More Than Just Pearce: Other Stars Make Statements at the Oscars
Guy Pearce was not the only one making a statement on the red carpet. Swedish singer Kayo Shekoni lifted her heel to show "free Congo" written on her shoe advocating for the conflict in Congo. Peter Straughan writer for Conclave showed support for Ukraine with a Ukrainian flag pin. The team behind the documentary nominee Porcelain War which is about Ukrainian artists also wore Ukrainian flag pins. It seems like some attendees were using the Oscars platform to highlight important issues.
From Red Carpet Statement to Past Controversies: More About Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Brutalist. While he might be known to some for his political views Pearce is a respected actor with a long career. He has also been in the news recently for other reasons beyond his political stance. He recently spoke about his experience with Kevin Spacey his co-star from LA Confidential claiming Spacey harassed him on set back in the 90s. Spacey has denied these claims and responded to Pearce online urging him to "grow up". This back and forth has added another layer of attention to Pearce's public profile.
Key Takeaways: Guy Pearce's Oscars 'Free Palestine' Pin
- Guy Pearce wore a "Free Palestine" pin to the 2025 Oscars.
- He has consistently shown support for Palestine with similar actions.
- His statement happened amidst protests and stalled ceasefire talks.
- Pearce says it's important to support those less privileged and highlight global imbalances.
- Other stars also made political statements at the Oscars.
- Pearce was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for The Brutalist.
A Bold Move or Just Right? What do you think of Guy Pearce's Oscars Statement?
Guy Pearce's "Free Palestine" pin definitely made a statement at the Oscars. Whether you agree with his views or not it is clear he is not afraid to use his platform to speak out on issues he believes in. In a night often focused on entertainment Pearce brought attention to a serious global issue sparking conversation and drawing eyes to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What do you think about his decision to wear the pin? Let us know in the comments below.