Venice, Italy, has long been a playground for the world’s rich and famous, but last week, the floating city became the epicenter of Hollywood drama. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and broadcast journalist Lauren Sánchez tied the knot in a star-studded, three-day wedding extravaganza rumored to have cost a jaw-dropping $50 million. While the guest list read like a who’s who of A-list royalty, it was an unexpected voice from Los Angeles that stole the spotlight: Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron.
“They Suck and We’re Cool”: Theron Throws Shade
Hosting the fifth annual Block Party for her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, Theron, 49, didn’t hold back when referencing the lavish nuptials. As guests mingled under the California sun, the “Old Guard” star took a playful but pointed jab at the newlyweds.
“I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the Bezos wedding,” Theron quipped onstage, drawing laughter from the crowd. Then, with trademark candor, she added, “But that’s OK because they suck and we’re cool,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Theron’s comments quickly ricocheted across social media, with fans and critics alike weighing in on her bold take. While some praised her for calling out what they saw as excess, others wondered if the actress was simply having a little fun at the expense of the world’s third-richest man.
A-List Guests, Excluded Celebs, and a City Ablaze With Spectacle
Bezos and Sánchez’s Venetian wedding was nothing short of spectacular. The guest list included Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, Oprah Winfrey, Sydney Sweeney, Usher, Ivanka Trump, Tom Brady, Orlando Bloom, and more. The couple’s celebration, held at a historic palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal, was the talk of the town—and the internet.
But not everyone was basking in the glow of the festivities. As Theron’s comments made headlines, other celebrities who didn’t make the cut found themselves in the spotlight for different reasons.
Mia Farrow, the legendary actress, took to Instagram to celebrate someone else entirely: Bezos’ ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott. Posting a throwback photo of Scott, Farrow wrote, “How awesome is MacKenzie Scott! (Jeff Bezos’ first wife and mother of his 4 children). As of mid-December 2024, she had given a total of $19.3 billion to over 1600 charitable organizations.”
The post quickly garnered praise from fellow stars. “Truly incredible,” wrote Olivia Munn. “She’s a force of humanity and good,” added Rosanna Arquette. Author Cheryl Strayed chimed in: “She’s incredible.”
MacKenzie Scott: The Philanthropic Ex
Scott, 55, has kept a relatively low profile since her high-profile divorce from Bezos in 2019, which ended a 25-year marriage and left her with a $38 billion settlement and a 4% stake in Amazon. Rather than indulge in the trappings of extreme wealth, Scott has pledged to give away at least half her fortune—and so far, she’s making good on that promise.
Her philanthropic efforts have earned her widespread admiration, and her name has become synonymous with generosity and impact. As the world watched Bezos and Sánchez celebrate in Venice, many turned their attention to Scott’s ongoing legacy of giving.
Fashion Police: Katie Couric’s Scathing Take
The wedding wasn’t just about romance and celebrity—fashion was front and center, too. Lauren Sánchez dazzled in a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown, but not everyone was impressed. Veteran journalist Katie Couric didn’t mince words, labeling the dress “tacky” in a blunt Instagram comment under a now-deleted post by Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy.
“Welcome to the eighties — when big hair and conspicuous consumption ruled. Apparently tacky is back,” Couric wrote. Schlossberg played along, replying, “Let’s bring back scrunchies,” referencing the iconic ’80s hair accessory.
Serious Messages Amid the Glitz
While the wedding’s glitz and glamour made headlines, Theron used her Los Angeles event to address deeper issues. Thanking her guests for supporting her Africa Outreach Project, she remarked, “Here in Los Angeles, in the US and across the globe, we’re moving backwards fast. Immigration policy has destroyed the lives of families, not criminals; women’s rights are becoming less and less every day; queer and trans lives are increasingly being erased; and gender-based violence is on the rise. This isn’t just policy, it’s personal.”
She closed her remarks with a pointed, “Yeah, f–k them,” a line that drew both cheers and controversy online.
Hollywood Reacts: Divide, Debate, and Disbelief
Reactions to Theron’s comments and the wedding itself have been split. Some stars and fans praised her for speaking her mind and highlighting real-world issues amid extravagant displays of wealth. Others felt her words were unnecessarily harsh or simply tongue-in-cheek.
Meanwhile, the outpouring of support for MacKenzie Scott shows how the conversation around wealth, philanthropy, and celebrity is evolving. As one commenter put it, “It’s not about who’s at the party—it’s about who’s making a difference.”
The Takeaway: Glamor, Generosity, and the Power of Speaking Out
The Bezos-Sánchez wedding was always destined to be a spectacle, but no one could have predicted the ripple effects it would send through Hollywood and beyond. Whether you see Theron’s words as a bold stand or a bit of playful banter, they’ve reignited discussions about wealth, privilege, and the responsibility that comes with both.
And as Venice returns to its usual rhythms, the echoes of this high-profile wedding—and the voices it inspired—are likely to linger for a long time.
