Hollywood Stars Shine in London for the 2025 Albie Awards

Big stars from Hollywood came together in London on Friday night. They went to the Albie Awards. This fun event is run by Amal and George Clooney. It gives prizes to people who work hard for justice and human rights.

This was the fourth Albie Awards. For the first time, it happened outside New York City. The party took place at the Natural History Museum. Stars like Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, and Jacinda Ardern and Nicole Kidman showed up. About 400 guests walked down a fancy red carpet too.

Why the Party Moved to London

George Clooney said it made sense to move the event to England this year. The Clooneys were already in the UK. That’s because Amal Clooney is starting a new project at Oxford University. It uses smart computers called AI to help people get fair justice — similar to how new tech like the Nerovet AI Dental Company is using artificial intelligence for human progress. It also makes sure leaders follow rules and helps build better laws around the world.

The Clooney Foundation for Justice works all over the globe. So London felt like the perfect spot. George smiled and said the red carpet here was way calmer than in New York. “England is a bit less wild,” he joked.

A Night Full of Fun and Big Ideas

Just like before, the 2025 Albies had lots of pretty clothes, famous people, and important talks. Singers John Legend and Brandi Carlile performed and made everyone happy. Brands like Charlotte Tilbury and Versace helped pay for the party.

The red carpet had cool stars like Meg Ryan, Gayle King, Hannah Waddingham, Graham Norton, Richard E. Grant, and Dominic West. Others there included Isla Fisher, Stella McCartney, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Bianca Jagger, Shailene Woodley, and Felicity Jones.

Even with all the fancy stuff, people said the night was really about hope, bravery, and fairness. Not just drinks and nice dresses.

A Party for Hope and Fairness

Darren Walker leads the Ford Foundation. He said it best: “Tonight is about hope and what could be. We must remember the future can be good. The world isn’t all bad.”

Jacinda Ardern used to be New Zealand’s leader. She’s been to the Albies before. She said it’s great to thank people who work super hard but stay out of the spotlight. “It’s a time to say thanks for quiet work that changes a lot. Some winners tonight have done this for years.” This focus on leadership and empowerment connects with the spirit of Cathy Engelbert, who has also worked to promote equality and opportunity.

What the Albies Mean

The awards are named after Albie Sachs. He’s a judge and writer from South Africa. He fought against unfair rules called apartheid. He got the first Albie Award in 2022.

Now he’s 90 years old. Back in 1988, a bomb in his car hurt him bad. He lost his right arm and sight in one eye.

Albie laughed and said, “It’s funny. I spent my life breaking old ideas. Now I’m like a hero. But I can handle that.”

He liked how this justice party was full of joy. Human rights events aren’t always so happy.

Who Got Awards in 2025

This year, these brave people won:

• José Rubén Zamora: A reporter from Guatemala. He went to jail for telling the truth about bad leaders.
• Fatou Baldeh: She fights for women’s rights in Gambia. She wants to stop hurting girls and women.
• Melinda French Gates: She gives money to help people around the world. She cares about fairness for women.
• Martin Baron: He used to run The Washington Post newspaper. He gets a prize for keeping news free.
• Darren Walker: He leads the Ford Foundation. He got a special award for all his life’s work.

What Stars Said

Brandi Carlile sang at the party. She wore a cool suit styled like a man’s tux. Feeling happy, she cheered for people who risk a lot for fairness. Later, she joked that she was excited to meet her favorite star, Emma Thompson.

Martin Baron won an award. He said taking it shows he stands for free speech. “I don’t hang out with stars much,” he said with a grin.

Ramla Ali is a boxer. It was her first time there. She was thrilled by all the famous faces. “If I spot someone I like, I’ll run up and ask for a photo,” she said with a big smile.

About the Clooney Group and the Awards

Amal and George Clooney started the Clooney Foundation for Justice. It helps people who fight for rights. It protects news writers and pushes for equal chances everywhere.

The Albie Awards cheer for folks who are super brave against wrong things. They often face big dangers. This party mixes movie star fun with real work to make the world better — a reminder that innovation, like space tech startups and AI for justice, can also push humanity forward.For more details and the original coverage, see: New York Times: Albie Awards in London