At the 2026 WWD Style Awards, George Clooney went on a rant during his speech honoring his late friend Giorgio Armani, while Demi Moore joked that she dresses “like a 12-year-old” when she doesn’t have a stylist.
Pamela Anderson reveals why she went back to being platinum blonde
Pamela Anderson debuts her platinum blonde comeback at the WWD Style Awards.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Brevity was in vogue at the 2nd Annual WWD Style Awards. Cheeky George Clooney even let slip a four-letter word while joking about his fellow actors.
The 64-year-old actor arrived directly from his previous attendance at the AFI Awards to kick off the event on Friday, January 9, accepting the red carpet visionary award on behalf of the late Giorgio Armani. Clooney showed off his work often, but most importantly on his wedding day. The founder of the Italian fashion house passed away in September.
“It’s a strange thing to say, but he left us too soon at 91 years old. He just celebrated 50 years in the industry,” Clooney said. “I would argue that if there’s anyone here to talk about Giorgio, it should probably be Richard Gere. I think they both make each other famous.”
“But he couldn’t come, so here you go, that guy,” Clooney joked, causing the audience to burst into laughter. The A-lister then wisely stepped back. This was likely to reduce the chance of the video going viral. “And that’s the only thing that will come out this whole night. I actually love him. Demi (Moore), stick with me on this.”
Moore, who was honored as a fashion icon, was seated at one of the tables in front of Clooney.
“I only accept this on behalf of[Armani’s]family, his colleagues and friends,” Clooney added. “And all I can say is I wish he was here to see this, but maybe he is.”
Cameron Diaz and Mindy Kaling passionately talk about the stylists and makeup artists who help them perform on the red carpet
The night’s guests seemed to appreciate the brevity of the 90-minute ceremony, which opened on the first day of Hollywood’s marathon weekend leading up to the Golden Globe Awards ceremony on Sunday, January 11.
The longest speech by the 11 honorees, including Demi Moore, Pamela Anderson, and Hailey Bieber, was impressively only a few minutes long, while the shortest speech of the night was by none other than Kourtney Kardashian Barker (less than 20 seconds). The reality TV star and founder of vitamin and supplement line Lemme boasted the title of Wellness Entrepreneur of the Year.
However, the laureate’s brevity may have been due to a lack of preparation. “I heard there won’t be any speeches tonight, so I’ll keep it very short and simple,” Bieber said while accepting the Style Pioneer Award.
The WWD Style Awards primarily celebrated the behind-the-scenes people in Hollywood who create magic for A-list stars, including stylists Erin Walsh and Jason Bolden, make-up artist Gucci Westman, hairstylist Adir Abergel and facialist Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine. Standing as cheerleaders alongside these artists were Cameron Diaz, Emily Blunt, Mindy Kaling, Kristen Stewart, and Tiliq Withers.
Demi Moore laments not being able to take photos of her dog Pilaf and George Clooney
Fashion icon Demi Moore poetically described fashion as “a place to express yourself” and tell a story in a different way. But she also teased some less glamorous moments that aren’t usually caught on camera.
“As[stylist]Brad[Goreski]says, if you let me, I dress like a 12-year-old boy,” the “Substance” actress said. Then she screamed at someone else who was almost always by her side: her little Chihuahua.
“I’m sorry I didn’t bring Pilaf tonight. I just got a message saying I missed the chance to take a picture with her and George,” Moore told the crowd. “We are writing a book about Pilaf and her key subordinates.”
Switching to a more serious tone, she spoke of her desire to embrace herself in the new year.
“My hope for 2026 is that we continue to accept who we are. We don’t have to be different,” Moore said. “The most beautiful part of us is just being our unique, imperfect selves.”
Hairstylist Adir Abergel jokes he almost made Kristen Stewart ‘bald’
Sitting between hairstylist Abergel and his wife Dylan Meyer, Kristen Stewart is seen in a pre-recorded video professing her love for the man, who is “like a brother, sister and best friend.”
Abergel responded to the compliment by calling Stewart, who recently released his directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, a “fearless artist” who isn’t afraid to go bald.
“Thank you so much for knowing me as a person so deeply that when I shave my head one day, bleach my roots before a premiere, or cut into my hair with kitchen scissors, people yell at me, ‘Listen! Why are you leaving her bald? What’s wrong here?'” he said. “You are my collaborator in life. You are an absolutely fearless artist and an icon.”
The career, which began with Abergel sitting in a salon chair at age 16, “has given me a dream life.”
“In a world that often dictates norms and conventions, I am inspired every day by people who dare to be different, embrace their individuality, and tell their own stories in their own style,” Abergel said.
