Actress and activist Charlize Theron, used her platform at a recent charity event to highlight urgent global issues – and take a swipe at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s lavish wedding in Venice.
Speaking at the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) Block Party in Los Angeles over the weekend, the Benoni-born star drew laughter and applause with a cutting remark about the $50 million celebration, which featured a celebrity guest list including Oprah, Madonna, Leonardo DiCaprio and the Kardashians.
“I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the Jeff wedding,” she said. “But that’s OK because they suck and we’re cool.” Charlize doubled down with another sharp comment: ‘Yeah, f–k them’.”
But behind the humour was a serious message.
In an interview during the event, Charlize drew attention to the mounting challenges faced by humanitarian organisations, particularly in Africa, amid cuts to international aid.
But behind the humour was a serious message.
In an interview during the event, Charlize drew attention to the mounting challenges faced by humanitarian organisations, particularly in Africa, amid cuts to international aid. “It’s going to be a tough couple of years for us, given what’s happening with foreign aid, so we rely more than ever on events like this,” she said. “Now we’re really looking to individuals to help us out in order to have the resources that we need for a lot of these organisations to have the tools and the things that they need to save lives.”
Charlize, who founded CTAOP in 2007 to support African youth with access to health, education and safety, also highlighted gender-based violence as a growing crisis:
“Gender-based violence is something that we will definitely have to step up to in this next year because it’s become so prevalent and incredibly sad. It’s a global issue but South Africa is one of the hardest hit.”
She added that her South African roots give her a strong sense of duty:
“I think a huge part of it is because I was born there. It’s hard to not understand that there is a platform that I have, and I don’t know how I would live with myself knowing that I didn’t use it to somehow help so many young people who are in such need in South Africa.”
Encouraging others to take action, Charlize said:”I always say just educate yourself. The more you can know about what’s happening in the rest of the world—if South Africa is a country that you care about or the southern hemisphere—you know, look at what’s happening to young people, especially young girls and their reproductive rights, even in this country. Find a thing that really connects with you.”
Now in its fifth year, the CTAOP Block Party brought together celebrity supporters, community leaders and donors to raise funds for the organisation’s youth-focused initiatives.
Charlize’s blend of humour, candour and commitment underscored her call for greater global awareness and responsibility – especially as headlines swirl around celebrity opulence.
First published by Cape {town} etc
Compiled by Angelica Rhoda
Also see: Charlize Theron and Thabo Rametsi merge minds for new comic, ‘Imbokodo’
