Even with LA’s weather trying its hardest, the Governors Awards red carpet turned into a master class in power-dressing from this year’s biggest contenders.
Los Angeles spent the night fighting rain, wind and a citywide gridlock nightmare, but the 16th Governors Awards moved forward with the kind of determination only award-season insiders truly understand. By the time the carpet opened at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, umbrellas were snapping, gowns were pinned, and every publicist on the block instantly regretted their footwear — but the arrivals never slowed. If anything, the weather gave the night more electricity. The Governors Awards matter. Everyone in the Academy knows it, and every contender shows up accordingly.
The ceremony, which pays tribute to industry legends through Non-Competitive Honorary Oscars, honored Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas, with Dolly Parton receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Parton did not attend due to health concerns, but her shadow was felt throughout the ballroom. Year after year, this is one of the most strategically important nights of the season — a room filled not just with nominees, but with the filmmakers, power reps, and studio teams shaping the months ahead. For anyone charting the awards narrative, the Governors Awards remain far more than a dinner. They’re a temperature check.
Elle Fanning arrived in a sculptural cream look that moved beautifully under the ballroom lights, a reminder that she remains one of Hollywood’s most consistent, elegant red-carpet interpreters. Jeremy Strong followed shortly after, sporting a razor-sharp suit and the kind of deliberateness that echoes everything he brings to screen. Ariana Grande stepped out in a high-glam silhouette that felt as much like a debutante moment as a reaffirmation of her place in the season’s conversation.
Sydney Sweeney delivered a sleek, modern interpretation of old-Hollywood glamour, Gwyneth Paltrow returned to the awards-season circuit with her signature minimalism, and Celine Song — now a fixture following her breakout success — showed up with the grounded, unfussy confidence of a filmmaker who knows she belongs in every room she enters. Lana Condor embodied youthful sophistication, while Debbie Allen glowed with the assured presence of someone receiving an honor decades in the making.
Marlee Matlin’s arrival drew one of the loudest welcomes of the night, Lucy Liu delivered a cool, contemporary look that stood out in the sea of gowns, and Diane Warren made a spirited entrance that reminded everyone why she’s beloved on every carpet she touches. William H. Macy offered understated class, Rita Wilson radiated warmth, and Queen Latifah commanded the carpet with the level of presence only she can generate.
Jurnee Smollett arrived in one of the evening’s softest, most romantic looks, while Michelle Zauner — joined by Japanese Breakfast — gave the carpet a burst of indie-musician energy. Amanda Seyfried’s ensemble balanced precision with softness, Dwayne Johnson exuded friendly titan energy, and Emily Blunt delivered sharp glamour with the kind of effortless poise that speaks volumes on a night like this.
Lili Reinhart offered something youthful and clean, Joel Edgerton kept it refined and unfussy, and Kaitlyn Dever leaned into a more modern minimalism. Mia Goth arrived in a look that could have stepped straight out of a gothic romance, and Zoey Deutch brought crisp classicism. Cynthia Erivo, as always, treated the carpet like a stage and turned in one of the night’s boldest fashion performances. Octavia Spencer stepped out with signature quiet confidence, while Rian Johnson — a recurring presence among top filmmakers — brought the precise, casual polish that defines his public appearances. And capping off the arrivals, Brendan Fraser brought a grounded warmth that instantly reminded everyone how beloved he remains.
By the time guests made their way inside, the storm outside was still raging, but the Governors Awards had already done what they do every year — signal the tone, the players, and the energy of the season ahead. If this year’s red carpet is any indication, the race is wide open, the industry is fully awake, and nobody’s letting a little rain get in the way of Oscar momentum.
Check Out Photos From Tonight’s Red Carpet Below:
Ariana Grande
Mario Anzuoni, REUTERS
Rami Malek
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Sydney Sweeney
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
William H. Macy
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Sydney Sweeney
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Jeremy Strong
Jeremy Strong
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Elle Fanning
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Sydney Sweeney
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Alexandre Desplat
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Dwayne Johnson (from left), Emily Blunt and Benny Safdie.
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Jason Reitman
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Celine Song
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Rita Wilson
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
EJAE
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Jeremy Strong
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Diane Warren
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Maggie Kang
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Aiyana-Lee
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Lucy Liu
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Ariana Grande
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Tonatiuh
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Mason Thames
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Queen Latifah
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Kaitlyn Dever
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Lana Condor
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Zoey Deutch
Zoey Deutch
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Joel Edgerton
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Smollett
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Lili Reinhart
Lili Reinhart
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Marlee Matlin
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin signs “love” on the red carpet.
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Cynthia Erivo
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Gwyneth Paltrow
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Isabela Merced
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Nia DaCosta
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Amanda Seyfried
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Chloe Zhao
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Elle Fanning
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Cynthia Erivo
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Sydney Sweeney
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Brendan Fraser
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Jay Shetty
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Mark Hamill (right) and Marilou York
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Renate Reinsve
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Mia Goth
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Zinzi Coogler (left) and Ryan Coogler
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Andra Day
Andra Day
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Wynn Thomas
Production designer Wynn Thomas, one of the evening’s five honorees.
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Phylicia Rashad (left) and honoree Debbie Allen.
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Ariana Grande
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Andra Day
Andra Day
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Rian Johnson
Rian Johnson
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Cynthia Erivo
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Mia Goth
Mia Goth
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Kaitlyn Dever
Kaitlyn Dever
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Joel Edgerton
Joel Edgerton
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Lili Reinhart
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Michelle Zauner
Michelle Zauner
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Smollett
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
Rita Wilson
Rita Wilson
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
William H. Macy
William H. Macy
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Diane Warren
Diane Warren
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Marlee Matlin
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Lana Condor
Lana Condor
Photo : Gilbert Flores/Variety
Celine Song
Photo : JC Olivera/WWD
The Governors Awards have always signaled a shift in momentum as the industry heads into the heart of awards season, but this year’s turnout made the message unmistakable. Even with the storm outside, the energy inside the Ray Dolby Ballroom felt like Hollywood at full strength — stars showing up for one another, studios signaling confidence, and contenders positioning themselves for the long road to the Oscars.
With the Honorary Awards celebrating Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas, and a guest list packed with talent from every corner of the industry, the 2025 ceremony proved once again why this night matters. It’s not just a precursor to nominations; it’s where the season finds its tone.
If this red carpet is any indication, the next few months are going to be competitive, unpredictable and very, very crowded. Stay with The Cinema Group for full awards-season coverage.
