Hollywood’s Finest Celebrated Awards Season Over Finger Sandwiches at the BAFTA Tea Party
Ahead of the Golden Globe Awards, nominees gathered at the annual Tea Party organized by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The quintessentially English-inspired affair hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills once again saw plenty of hobnobbing over steaming hot cups of chamomile—or flutes of Champagne for those so inclined.
A chic Gwyneth Paltrow was among the first to arrive at the relaxed party, which unfolded inside the hotel’s legendary ballroom. Dressed in an Erdem suit, the Marty Supreme actor caught up with Justine Lupe and Timothy Simons of Netflix’s Nobody Wants This fame, while Michael B. Jordan spoke with the soirée’s hosts Jane Millichip, BAFTA’s CEO, and Joyce Pierpoline, the North America board chair of BAFTA, and Courtney LaBarge Bell, the National Executive Director of BAFTA North America.
Ethan Hawke, who is nominated for a Best Actor in a Comedy for Blue Moon, linked up with Severance nominee Adam Scott while Kristen Stewart lingered near the bar with actor Imogen Poots—whom she directed in The Chronology of Water. Nearby, a Saint Laurent-clad Keri Russell, nominated for her role in The Diplomat, stuck close to her partner Matthew Rhys, who is also nominated for his performance in the limited series The Beast in Me. Soon after, she copped eyes on supporting actress nominee Teyana Taylor and admired her feathered gown. Russell—a six-time Golden Globe nominee who took home the trophy in 1999 for her titular role in the series Felicity—reflected on that career milestone. “I won a million years ago, and I had never been to an awards show before that,” she told Vogue. “It was really overwhelming and so exciting. I was happy to be nominated and invited to the show, but to win—it was crazy!”Her advice to the first-time nominees like Jacob Elordi, Chase Infiniti and Paul Mescal is simply to “have fun,” she said. “To be nominated is really the win.”
Actor Odessa A’zion was buzzing to make her Golden Globes debut, as she will be attending to support her film Marty Supreme which is nominated for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. “I’m most excited to see other artists that I’ve admired in such a cool space where everyone is being honored,” she said. “It’s really amazing to be a part of a movie that is being recognized.”
An effervescent Kate Hudson entered the party and immediately greeted friends, making the rounds and saying hello to Pluribus actress Rhea Seehorn before catching up with Hamnet’s Joe Alwyn and Aimee Lou Wood from The White Lotus. Across the room a happy Benicio del Toro reunited with his Excess Baggage costar Alicia Silverstone. The pair had an animated conversation that ended with a big laugh and as their chat ended, a group of enthusiastic fans flanked del Toro for a selfie, to which he agreed enthusiastically.
Leonardo DiCaprio strolled into the party through a side entrance accompanied by his father George DiCaprio and his stepmother Peggy Ann Farrar. Once his One Battle After Another costar Teyana Taylor spotted him, she made a beeline and the two greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek. Despite his attempt at a discreet entrance, the actor was soon swarmed by BAFTA members and industry veterans clamoring for a chance to chat, as his father and stepmother proudly looked on.
After no shortage of British-isms—think: cucumber, egg salad, smoked salmon crustless sandwiches, lemon meringue tartlets, and endless tea—guests such as Jessie Buckley, Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao, and Tessa Thompson flitted out for a quick outfit change, ready to make their way off to the next party on the pre-Golden Globes circuit.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images1/25Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, and Gwyneth Paltrow
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images2/25Chase Infiniti and Benicio del Toro
