The 2026 Cannes Film Festival continues to attract the biggest stars of world cinema. But this year, the Croisette is not only known for its films. Looks extravagant, unexpected positions taken, and behaviors judged provocative, some observers believe that the glamour of the past is gradually giving way to a constant search for buzz.
In a column published in the Daily Mail, journalist Caroline Bullock questions the evolution of the star system. According to her, cinema legends present at Cannes still embody a certain idea of mystery and elegance while some younger celebrities now prefer virality and overexposure. Her analysis spares no one.
“The death of the Cannes Film Festival!” “The death of the Cannes Film Festival! Obscene sexual acts on the red carpet – Ozempic phenomena”: this is how Caroline Bullock summarizes her findings. For the journalist, despite the presence of iconic figures like Jane Fonda, Joan Collins, or Demi Moore who has caused concern, the entertainment industry suffers from a lack of new personalities capable of imposing a lasting aura.
“In an industry obsessed with youth, this section on longevity deserves to be applauded – but it raises a question: who will replace these icons?” The column thus opposes established stars, appreciated for their discretion and long careers, to a generation more exposed on social networks and in their private lives.
Provocative behaviors that fuel controversy in Cannes
The article particularly targets certain personalities accused of multiplying intimate declarations or provocative staging. The journalist reflects, for example, on public sexual confessions made by several celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival. She believes that this overexposure contributes to trivializing behaviors that were previously considered private.
Another sequence pointed out: the appearance of actor and comedian Jordan Firstman at the Festival. According to Caroline Bullock, he sparked controversy after very demonstrative displays of affection on the red carpet and comments judged vulgar about practices related to drug consumption. The column concludes with a nostalgic longing for a more mysterious Hollywood, where glamour, class, and restraint still dominated public appearances.
