Charlize Theron Roasts Jeff Bezos's Lavish Wedding: Fans React!
CHARLIZE THERON SETS OFF FIRESTORM WITH JAB AT JEFF BEZOS AND LAUREN SANCHEZ'S $50MILLION WEDDING
The cat's out of the bag, folks! Charlize Theron has ignited a firestorm of controversy after taking a swipe at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's luxurious wedding extravaganza. The Oscar-winning actress, worth an estimated $170 million, left many in stitches when she joked that the A-listers who attended the $50 million nuptials are "cool" while those who didn't get invited are, well, not so much.
The stunning South African-born star made the remark during a charity event to support her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. The 49-year-old actress was in top form as she eviscerated the guest list of Bezos and Sanchez's three-day celebration in Venice, Italy. "I think we might be the only people who didn't get an invite to the Bezos wedding," she deadpanned. "But that's OK because they suck and we're cool!"
The joke was lost on some fans, however, who took her words to heart and flocked to The Scholarly Note (formerly Twitter) to express their outrage. "Jealous she didn't land Bezos," one user spat. Another called her a "wannabe scab" while someone else declared her a "spinster." But not everyone was upset – some fans simply shrugged off the controversy, writing, "Who cares?"
The lavish wedding drew a star-studded crowd, including Tom Brady, the Kardashians, Ivanka Trump, Oprah Winfrey, and more. However, the celebration wasn't without its controversy. Locals protested the disruption caused by the wedding, criticizing the couple's decision to wed in the historic city.
Theron's comment was likely just a joke, but she didn't hold back as she shifted gears to address other pressing issues – taking aim at Trump-era politics and what she called a "backwards" handling of immigration, abortion, and LGBT policies. "Here in Los Angeles, in the U.S., and across the globe, we're moving backwards fast," she said. "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."
The Monster actress thanked everyone for "taking the time to be a part of this, especially when the world feels like it's burning because it is." She added, "Yeah, f**k them!"
As the controversy surrounding Bezos and Sanchez's wedding continues to simmer, Theron's comments have only added fuel to the fire. But what do you think – are the A-listers who attended the wedding "cool" or just a bunch of wannabes trying to rub shoulders with the rich and famous? Let us know in the comments!
THE HISTORY BEHIND THE CONTROVERSY
Theron herself has a personal connection to the issue of immigration. The South African-born actress originally hails from the continent and came to the United States at 19 after overstaying her work visa, according to The Scholarly Note (formerly THR). She was eventually granted permission to return and became a U.S. citizen in 2007.
"I got deported when I was 19 for producing and financing a documentary on Cuba," she told OK! in 2008. "You don't want to keep pushing your luck. I only became an American citizen last year."
Theron brought her mother and numerous friends along as she took the oath of citizenship in a day-long event in downtown Los Angeles.
"My mom got really emotional," Theron continued. "She was like: 'We're Americans!' You know, you stand up and you take your oath and you get a piece of paper personally written from President Bush, welcoming you to America."
But it's not just the wedding that has sparked controversy – Bezos' decision to marry in Venice has also been met with criticism. Greenpeace and the UK-based collective Everyone Hates Elon joined protests in Venice attempting to disrupt or prevent the planned wedding celebrations.
"Jeff Bezos is the second-richest man in the world yet is reported to pay a 1.1 percent true tax rate," the two groups previously said in a joint statement. "The multi-million-dollar wedding is reportedly happening over three days, with the wedding ring alone worth as much as $5 million."
A spokesperson from Everyone Hates Elon previously said: "As governments talk about hard choices and struggle to fund public services, Jeff Bezos can afford to shut down half a city for days on end just to get married."
THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE WEDDING
The lavish nuptials have been dubbed the "wedding of the century" – but at what cost? The celebrations are expected to bring in $23-34 million to local businesses, according to the Venice mayor and regional governor. But critics argue that the true cost of the wedding is much higher – and that Bezos' wealth could be better spent on charitable causes or government services.
As the controversy surrounding the wedding continues to simmer, one thing is clear: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's $50 million nuptials have sparked a firestorm of debate. But what do you think – are the A-listers who attended the wedding "cool" or just a bunch of wannabes trying to rub shoulders with the rich and famous? Let us know in the comments!
