Taylor Swift made her Academy Museum Gala debut in Los Angeles wearing custom Dior and Chopard diamonds, closing the annual fundraiser with a performance as Hollywood figures gathered to raise money for film preservation and education.
The sixth annual Academy Museum Gala took place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Miracle Mile. Often referred to as the Met Gala of the West Coast
or the Met Gala of the West,
the star-studded fundraiser supports the institution’s mission to celebrate and preserve cinema through exhibitions, public screenings, and educational programming. This year’s event was co-chaired by Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw, with Rolex serving as the presenting partner.
Red Carpet Arrivals and A-List Guests in Los Angeles
The red carpet drew a massive crowd of actors, musicians, and filmmakers. Kim Kardashian turned heads in an archival 1951 Balenciaga gown with lace detailing and a pink sash, sourced from vintage purveyor Lily et Cie and styled by Law Roach, while channeling Elizabeth Taylor with a dramatic bouffant hairstyle. To complete the outfit, stylist Law Roach and Kardashian added an oversized 10.2-carat diamond cluster set from Zydo Italy along with a multi-layered 55.8-carat Leviev diamond necklace. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift arrived in a strapless, icy-blue custom Dior ballgown, accessorized with Chopard haute joaillerie including 32.40-carat platinum diamond earrings, a 5.78-carat diamond ring, and a 5.04-carat diamond bracelet, alongside a loosely curled lob.
Taylor Swift talks with Elle and Dakota Fanning at the Academy Museum Galapic.twitter.com/1X5xQOTMXm
The guest list featured Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor, Kendall Jenner, Pamela Anderson, and Andrew Garfield. Additional notable attendees included Sabrina Carpenter in a Giorgio Armani gown and Chopard jewelry, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Kate Hudson in a custom Armani Prive design, Janelle Monáe, and Tom Ford. Australian representation included Kylie Minogue and Joseph Zada. The guest list also featured Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, Cailee Spaeny, Cole Escola, Naomi Ackie, Curry Barker, Inde Navarrette, Michael Johnston, Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Connor Storrie in Saint Laurent, Kristen Wiig, Laura Linney, Awkwafina, Law Roach, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Clairo, Adria Arjona, and others.
The Host Committee for 2026 included Jessica Alba, Judd Apatow alongside Leslie Mann, Georgina Chapman and Adrien Brody, Jon M. Chu, Kirsten Dunst, Nicholas Galitzine, Serena and Ludwig Göransson, Regina Hall, Kate Hudson, Jessica Lange, Greta Lee, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Rami Malek, Demi Moore, Olivia Munn, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Questlove, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen, and Teyana Taylor.
Honoring Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo, and John Carpenter
The evening recognized three figures in the film industry. The museum presented its Icon Award to Charlize Theron, the Vantage Award to Colman Domingo, and the Luminary Award to John Carpenter. Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection, praised the honorees ahead of the event.
For our Sixth Annual Gala, we are honored to recognize John Carpenter, Colman Domingo and Charlize Theron, whose extraordinary careers exemplify the creativity, innovation and excellence that continues to move the industry forward.
Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection
Taylor Swift Closes Out the Evening With a Private Performance
Organizers announced on October 8 that Taylor Swift would perform as the signature act to close out the night.
Taylor is an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world. We are thrilled to welcome her to this year’s gala and look forward to her performance to close a wonderful evening of honoring three extraordinary filmmakers and supporting the Academy Museum’s mission to celebrate and preserve cinema.
Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection
It also follows Steven Spielberg’s praise on June 11 when he inducted her into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City, stating, Through her songs, she has taken billions of people by the hand and by the heart.