Why are A-listers wearing blue ribbons at the 2023 Oscars?

Tonight marks the 2023 Oscars, known formally as the 95th Academy Awards, with A-listers descending on Los Angeles from far and wide to celebrate the past year in film.

And from Elvis and Women Talking to Aftersun and The Banshees of Inisherin, there are plenty of films to celebrate as the 2023 Oscar winners are announced.

This year's ceremony is held at LA's Dolby Theatre, and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel with Hollywood nominees flocking to the Oscar red carpet (or, should we say champagne carpet) in show-stopping looks.

With the Oscars bringing award season to a close, there have been plenty of predictions for what the evening will bring, and so far Everything Everywhere All At Once has taken over the show.

But one thing that many have noticed is that a number of A-listers are continuing a theme seen at previous awards shows.

Celebrities have been sporting blue ribbons over the last few months, from Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell and Michelle Yeoh, to Emma Thompson and Paul Mescal.

At the Oscars tonight, Bill Nighy was also spotted wearing a blue ribbon, and when asked why, he replied: "120 million people being displaced and children being in terrible distress, I don't think that is politics. And that is what this commemorates.

“It is a UN initiative. I wear it at the request of Cate Blanchett who wants to focus on that issue wherever we go publicly.”

But what exactly does it mean? There's actually a very important and moving reason behind those little blue ribbons. Here's what you need to know.

Why are A-listers wearing blue ribbons to the 2023 Oscars?

A-listers are wearing blue ribbons at award ceremonies this year in support of refugees and displaced people across the world, with the pin sported being a #WithRefugees ribbon.

Among the celebrities to have worn #WithRefugees ribbons at award ceremonies this season are Cate Blanchett, Emma Thompson, Sophie Turner, Angela Bassett, Bill Nighy, Paul Mescal and Jamie Lee Curtis, who opened up about her decision to wear the pin on the BAFTA red carpet.

“My friend Cate Blanchett is asking people to remind us all in the midst of all the season of shiny things that of course there are terrible refugee crises going on all over the world everywhere all at once and we need to do our part," explained Jamie Lee.

Follow our Oscars coverage at @MarieClaireUK for the latest news and red carpet galleries.

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. After working at Marie Claire UK for seven years - rising from intern to Features Editor - she is now a freelance contributor to the News and Features section.

In 2021, Jenny was named as a winner on the PPA's '30 under 30' list, and was also listed as a rising star in journalism.