By definition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted the 2025 Governors Awards to distribute four lifetime achievement awards among stars including Dolly Parton and Tom Cruise. But anyone tracking the November 16 red carpet's guest list knows it was the unofficial kick-off to awards season—and the race to be crowned Hollywood's best-dressed actress of the entire trophy circuit.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Ariana Grande, Sydney Sweeney and other 2026 Academy Awards hopefuls walked the black carpet at the Governors Awards, where Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen, Dolly Parton and Wynn Thomas received honorary Oscars.

The Academy's annual Governors Awards were attended by the likes of Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Lucy Liu, Jeremy Strong and many others.