Selena! Ariana! Inside the Academy Museum’s Women’s Luncheon With Chanel

Awards season officially kicked off in Los Angeles this week with the announcement of the 2025 Golden Globes nominations on Monday, followed by the annual Academy Women’s Luncheon, presented by Chanel, the following day.

The event brought together women from all facets of the filmmaking community at the Academy Museum, including Amy Adams, Awkwafina, Joan Chen, Gia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, Gal Gadot, Leila George, Regina King, Mila Kunis, Olivia Wilde. Kristen Bell, Justine Lupe, Eve Hewson, and Sarah Paulson, as well as 2025 Golden Globe nominees Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, and Pamela Anderson.

Grande, whose recent Wicked press tour was a lesson in women wholeheartedly celebrating one another, appeared to still be walking on air. “The nomination is entirely surreal. I'm so grateful for the acknowledgment alongside my sister Cynthia Erivo and to share it together. It's just very exciting,” she told Vogue. “You know, Cynthia and I get to hold each other up and lift each other up every single day, and I'm just so excited to do that with more women today that I admire. I can't wait to see everyone, hug them, and congratulate them on their hard work.”

A makeup-free Anderson, nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) for her role in Gia Coppola’s film The Last Showgirl, was also feeling buoyant. “It’s like a rebirth. It's wonderful,” she said. “I feel like this was always something stirring inside me. So to be able to do something like The Last Showgirl was such a relief. It feels amazing to be appreciated and for people to see me in a new light.”

Scenically staged on the museum’s rooftop under a cinematic glass dome with a clear view of the Hollywood sign, the luncheon also included a presentation of the Gold Fellowship for Women, the Academy’s program supporting emerging women filmmakers through personalized mentorship and access to once-in-a-lifetime networking opportunities. This year’s recipients were Raha Amirfazli, an Iranian writer, director, and producer based in New York, and Shadi Karamroudi, an Iranian actress, director, writer, and producer.

As the guests took their seats for a lunch of lobster salad and tarte tatin, Academy President Janet Yang kicked off the proceedings. “Welcome to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the largest institution in the United States dedicated to the art, science, and artists of moviemaking. I am truly overjoyed to be in this room full of amazing, inspiring, and beautifully dressed women. I wonder why?” she quipped.

Since its inception, the French luxury fashion house has been intrinsically linked to the world of cinema. Founder and visionary Gabrielle Chanel collaborated with the leading filmmakers of her time, drawing inspiration from and supporting her fellow artistic peers. Her legacy of fostering creativity lives on through the House’s enduring dedication to the art form and to the evolution of women’s voices in the industry. The Academy Gold Fellowship for Women reflects that commitment.

For Gomez, who also delivered the keynote speech, the event marked a first. “To be honest, I wasn’t really invited before Emilia Pérez,” she admitted with characteristic candor. “So, I’m happy to be here and honored to be here with these women.”

Entirely in her element as she took to the stage, the multi-hyphenate singer, actress, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate said, “I recently had the privilege of working on Emilia Pérez. The project brought together an extraordinary team of women, both in front of and behind the camera, and the experience left me thinking about how we, as women, rise higher when we work together. We can create a ripple effect that stretches far beyond our lives. That’s why programs like this are so important.”

She continued, “I know firsthand how isolating this industry can make you feel sometimes, so to the young women out there, I want you to know that you are heard and you are seen, and your perspective matters deeply. And if you ever feel lonely at any event, just come up to me. I’d be happy to chat—whether you’re a director, a writer, an actress, a designer, or just starting to dream about being a part of this industry.”