Why Celebrities Wore Blue Ribbons at the 2023 BAFTAs

The most popular accessory at the 2023 BAFTAs had nothing to do with jewelry. As Hollywood stars arrived at London’s Royal Festival Hall for the award show on Feb. 19, we noticed many wearing small blue ribbons attached to their dresses and suits. The pins, which featured white text that read “#WithRefugees,” were designed to show support for refugees and displaced people around the world — an especially timely cause following the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The idea was spearheaded by Cate Blanchett, who won best lead actress for her role in “Tár” during the ceremony. Other BAFTA nominees, including Michelle Yeoh, Paul Mescal, Emma Thompson, and Angela Bassett, followed in her footsteps and showed their solidarity. Jamie Lee Curtis, who adhered the meaningful ribbon to her ring, explained her decision to support the cause during a red carpet interview. “My friend Cate Blanchett is asking people to remind us all in the midst of all the season of shiny things that of course there are terrible refugee crises going on all over the world everywhere all at once, and we need to do our part,” she said.

Ribbons and similar accessories have been used to make statements about worthy causes at plenty of past award shows. Stars wore Time’s Up pins at the 2018 Golden Globes and white roses at the 2018 Grammys to protest against sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. Attendees at the 2018 Oscars wore orange American flag pins to show support for Everytown For Gun Safety following the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Plus, the same same blue “#WithRefugees” ribbons from the BAFTAs even made an appearance at the Oscars last year.

Read ahead to see the celebrities who displayed their support for refugees at the 2023 BAFTAs.