Los Angeles, California — Hollywood star Charlize Theron recently launched her fifth annual block party, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), aimed at enhancing the health and safety of young people in Africa. The event, held at Universal Studios on Saturday night, allowed Theron to voice her opinions candidly, particularly in relation to Jeff Bezos, following his extravagant wedding in Venice.
In an opening remark filled with humor, Theron noted, “I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the Bezos wedding,” while expressing disdain for the billionaire and his guests. The actress later shifted her focus to the current societal issues, stating, “the world feels like it’s burning because it is.” She elaborated on various pressing matters, from immigration policies that impact families to the growing challenges against women’s and LGBTQ+ rights.
During her speech, Theron highlighted her concerns about rising gender-based violence and the deterioration of civil liberties, asserting that these issues resonate on a personal level. As she addressed the audience, she encouraged a spirit of resistance against complacency and systemic injustice.
Theron’s remarks coincided with Bezos’s wedding, which attracted significant media attention and criticism. This gathering featured several high-profile guests, including prominent figures from politics and entertainment, such as Oprah Winfrey and members of the Kardashian-Jenner family. Despite a plan to donate to local charities post-wedding, Bezos and his new wife, Lauren Sánchez, faced backlash from activists who condemned the celebration as a manifestation of the negative effects of overtourism in Venice.
Approximately a thousand protesters demonstrated in Venice during the wedding, voicing their grievances regarding rising housing costs and environmental concerns exacerbated by tourism. Theron acknowledged the protestors in her speech, expressing hope in the shared determination to resist oppressive policies. “There is power in all of us standing up, organizing, protesting, voting and caring for each other,” she declared.
The actress emphasized that while her organization focuses on youth in Southern Africa, the principles of valuing all lives resonate through her advocacy efforts. “That spirit of resistance, justice, and care for each other—that’s the spirit that drives the work at CTAOP,” she said.
As the conversation about social issues continues, events like Theron’s block party provide a platform for activism and community solidarity, reminding attendees of the importance of fighting for justice on a global scale.