Why did Hollywood stars wear a blue ribbon to the BAFTAS?

The British Academy of Film and Television Awards, also known as the BAFTAS is recognised for its eye-catching fashion, accessories and of course film. But we couldn’t help notice a handful of Hollywood A-listers donning a blue ribbon.

It was not a coincidence numerous celebs including Sophie Turner, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Amiee Lou Wood, Cate Blanchett and Dominic Lipinski wore the blue ribbon.

The United Nations refugee agency invited celebrities to wear the ribbon at the BAFTAS as an “emblem of compassion and solidarity for those forced to flee their homes because of war, conflict and persecution.”

In showing their solidarity with the significant refugee crisis occurring across the globe, those participating are also spreading awareness.

Following the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria recently have left millions homeless as entire cities have turned into rubble. Meanwhile roughly eight million people have been displaced after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

According to the organisation, more than 103 million people have been forcibly displaced around the world.

On a night that celebrated the storytelling behind film, Australian actress Cate Blanchett revealed she admired how film “draws us into compelling human themes to uncover the connective tissue that binds us all.”

“Whenever I have met refugees – in places such as Lebanon, Jordan or Bangladesh, here in the UK, or back home in Australia – what has struck me has not been their ‘otherness’ but how many things we share in common”.

Former competitive swimmer and refugee of the Syrian civil War, Yusra Mardini said it was “really incredible” to see how many stars donned the blue ribbon at the BAFTAS.

“Especially right now after the recent earthquakes in Turkiye and my home country of Syria. My people – and so many others – are hurting. They need our support. We all need peace,” she said.

Profile Tia Thomas Senior Digital Content Producer

After completing a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in Journalism and Media Production, Tia began her career in media 2022. She writes on the Now To Love website, particularly for the legacy brand TV Week and manages its social media platforms. She is currently the Senior Digital Content Producer on Now To Love, writing predominately for TV Week while managing all its social media platforms. It is here she can combine her professional and personal passions for reality TV, drama, celebrity, Australian and International TV – and donning her favourite clothes for a red carpet to interview some of television’s best.