Jolie, Hayek, Gemma Chan, Lauren Ridloff and director Chloe Zhao skipped Elle's Women in Hollywood event due to the COVID exposure as Disney announces the entire cast will be 'pivoting to virtual appearances' to promote the Marvel movie.
- Oct 21, 2021
AceShowbiz - Even superheroes are not safe from coronavirus. "Eternals" stars Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan and Lauren Ridloff as well as director Chloe Zhao are in "super isolation" after COVID-19 exposure at the L.A. premiere of the movie.
On Tuesday night, all five women skipped Elle's 2021 Women in Hollywood event due to the COVID exposure. Elle editor-in-chief Nina Garcia made the announcement during the event, saying they "were just exposed, so to keep everyone safe those superheroes are now in super isolation."
A Disney spokesperson has confirmed the reason for their no-shows. "Earlier today we were made aware of a possible exposure to COVID-19," the spokesperson said in a statement. The statement added, "…and while all of our talent have tested negative, out of an abundance of caution, we are pivoting to virtual appearances rather than in-person events."
The "Eternals" star, including Jolie who brought along her five kids, Hayek, Chan, Ridloff, Kit Harington, Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, stepped out for the Los Angeles premiere of the movie at El Capitan Theater on Monday night.
On Tuesday morning, the cast assembled again for the film's global press conference, moderated by Rotten Tomatoes' Jacqueline Coley. Though majority of the ensemble as well as Zhao and Marvel head Kevin Feige were present, Chan and Richard Madden appeared virtually as the pair were made aware of a potential COVID exposure earlier in the day. Both stars also tested negative, but they appeared solo out of an abundance of caution.
At Elle's Women in Hollywood event, Jolie, Hayek, Chan and Ridloff were honored for their contributions to film and television. When receiving her honor from Jon M. Chu, Chan appeared via video and said, "I'm so sorry that I can't be with you this evening, but I am so proud to be honored alongside such incredible women: Angelina, Salma and Lauren." She continued, "All of you I admire greatly, not just for everything they've achieved in their careers, but for everything they stand for in life and their advocacy."
Demi Moore, who presented Hayek's honor, read her acceptance speech to the audience. Eva Longoria, meanwhile, was tapped to replace Zhao to present the honor to Jolie. The "Desperate Housewives" alum also read Jolie's speech.
"I am thinking tonight of all of the women who are bringing us through the pandemic. The scientists, the doctors and nurses, so many others who are showing us what strength and sacrifice are and whose contribution transcends borders," Jolie wrote in her speech. "One of the best things about being part of 'Eternals' was working with with such a global cast. Women who were born in countries where the struggle for equality and rights is even more challenging than it is here. Women who know that what makes them different is what makes them beautiful, and gives them even more to contribute."
