Jane Fonda is a woman who stays true to her beliefs. The 82-year-old actress was one of many stars who appeared at the 2020 Oscars. In keeping with her climate change advocacy, Jane wore a dress she already had. The gown was a crimson beaded Elie Saab that she previously wore to Cannes in 2014. She also stunned in a pixie cut, proudly showing off her natural grays.
When Jane took to the stage to present the best picture award, she looked powerful and poised. On her arm was the red coat Jane has been seen wearing during her Fire Drill Friday protests in Washington, DC. During the November 1 protest, she proudly proclaimed the coat was the last piece of clothing she'd ever buy.
Jane's time protesting in DC has come to an end, but her climate change advocacy has just begun. She had to return to Los Angeles to film Grace and Frankie, and she brought the Fire Drill Fridays with her.
Jane Fonda is doubling down on her commitment to climate change advocacy. The 82-year-old actress brought her fiery desire for change with her as she returned to the West Coast. Since October, Jane has been holding Fire Drill Friday protests.
Originally, those protests were taking place at the nation's capital. When Jane had to return to Los Angeles to film the final season of her Netflix series, Grace and Frankie, she vowed to keep things going. What better time to get started than Oscar weekend?
Jane held the first West Coast Fire Drill Friday in downtown Los Angeles. You could see that the change of location made a big difference, with more celebrities than ever before joining Jane in the fight to save the planet.
The protest was held in downtown Los Angeles. Norman Lear, Rooney Mara, Kate Mara, Rosanna Arquette, Catherine Keener, Bonnie Wright, June Diane Raphael, and Paul Scheer all attended the event. Jane took the time to applaud celebrities who were getting involved in the movement.
"This is so important when celebrities are willing to use their platform to call attention to the climate crisis," Jane said while speaking at the rally. "So let’s give them a big round of applause." While some criticized that many of the celebrities in attendance did not speak at the event, Norman Lear did.
"I have been enjoying and living off of the planet longer than anybody here," the 97-year-old joked. "I want a planet, and I want a safe planet for the six kids that brighten my life and the four grandchildren behind them. I don’t have a hero … more important to me and to them than Jane Fonda."
Also in attendance was Joaquin Phoenix. Joaquin spoke out about the importance of advocacy later in the weekend, as he accepted his best actor award for Joker at the Oscars.
"[We have to] continue to use our voice for the voiceless. I've been thinking a lot about some of the distressing issues that we are facing collectively," he said. "I think at times we feel, or were made to feel, that we champion different causes, but for me, I see commonality."
"I think, whether we're talking about gender inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights, we're talking about the fight against injustice," he continued. "We're talking about the fight against the belief that one nation, one people, one race, one gender or one species has the right to dominate, control and use and exploit another with impunity."
He went on to discuss the impact of animal farming on the climate, an issue he's been outspoken about recently.
Joaquin finished out his speech, which he gave while wearing the same tuxedo he's worn all awards season in a commitment to environmentally friendly fashion, with a quote from his late brother. The nod to River Phoenix choked up a few people in the room.
"When he was 17, my brother wrote this lyric. It said, 'Run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow.'"
Joaquin wasn't the only one putting his beliefs in action at the star-studded event. Jane was also in attendance to present the award for best picture. She wore a deep red, beaded Elie Saab gown that she previously wore to Cannes in 2014. She looked just as incredible in it as she did six years ago.
Jane completed the look with Pomellato jewelry, which uses ethical and responsible sources for its diamonds and gold. She also had her red coat that she's worn to Fire Drill Fridays. The item is significant since Jane vowed it's the last piece of clothing she'll ever buy.
Others joined Joaquin and Jane in the quest for sustainable award show fashion. Booksmart star Kaitlyn Dever wore a red Louis Vuitton gown made entirely of sustainable fabrics. "I’m here supporting sustainable clothing; it’s really important," she explained in a red carpet interview.
Elizabeth Banks also opted for an old dress. The actress wore a strappy red Badgley Mischka gown she wore to the Vanity Fair Oscar party in 2004.
"It’s gorgeous and it fits…so why not wear it again?! Proud to wear my @badgleymischka dress that I first wore to @vanityfair #oscars party in 2004, re-imagined with @wendiandnicole, to bring global awareness to the importance of sustainability in fashion and consumerism as it relates to climate change, production & consumption, ocean pollution, labor, & women," she shared on Instagram.
"And thrilled to partner again with @radvocacy in support of @nsifashion2030, which helps brands draw down their carbon use and achieve measurable sustainability targets."
Jane's West Coast Fire Drill Fridays aim to be a monthly event, with upcoming dates in the Wilmington area of LA, Bakersfield, and Sacramento. Earth Day is just two months away, so it's likely Jane will want to do something big to draw attention to climate change. As more get on board, it's harder to silence the voices calling for change.
