HOLLYWOOD LIGHTS UP LONDON

The BAFTA Awards at the Royal Festival Hall are a starry night of glamour, laughter and surprises

- SOPHIE HAMILTON

“It’s long been considered one of the movie industry’s most prestigious events, so it was no surprise that a host of Hollywood stars jetted off to London for the 78th BAFTA Film Awards,” Britain’s answer to the Oscars.

There were smiles aplenty as Demi Moore, Zoe Saldana and Cynthia Erivo showed off exquisite gowns on the red carpet alongside fellow nominees, including Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande.

Inside the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, stars caught up and took in the show, which included emotional speeches, an impromptu singalong and a surprise win.

STAR IN THE MAKING

The leading actress honour—predicted to be a sure-fire win for Demi—went to newcomer Mikey Madison for her role in Anora, a comedy-drama about a young sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.

Elegant in a strapless white custom-made Prada gown teamed with a satin shawl and archival Tiffany & Co. diamonds, the 25-year-old actress was considered a fresh face on the scene that she had also been shortlisted for BAFTA’s Rising Star Award.

“I think I’m a little disassociated right now,” she said of her win. “I’m incredibly honoured. I love making movies and being an actress - it's my dream - so for my film to be recognized like this is incredibly special.”

Added Mikey: “I wish I had a better speech. I was on a talk show and Robert De Niro told me not to write a speech and I was thinking, ‘I should probably listen to him!’”

Though she lost out at the BAFTAs, Demi, 62—who has dominated awards season for her spine-chilling turn in body-horror film