Flashback: Julia Roberts’ barefoot red carpet strut challenged Cannes' double standards

The glitz, the glamour, the fabulous gowns—ah, the memories from Cannes 2016. But, if there's one image that's etched in the annals of the Cannes Film Festival, it’s Julia Roberts ditching her heels, standing tall and barefoot. Let’s saunter down memory lane to relive that bold, iconic moment.

Challenging the 'heels-only' norm, one step at a time

Cannes, with its splendid French Riviera backdrop, has seen its fair share of controversies. Julia Roberts, in an exquisite Armani Privé gown reminiscent of her famous "Pretty Woman" dress, delivered a surprise that Cannes wasn't quite ready for. Lifting her gown slightly, there they were – her bare feet. Yes, you read that right. Julia chose to stride the red carpet, minus the towering heels.

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This audacious act was more than just a mere fashion statement. The previous year saw women turned away from the festival for sporting flats. Cannes, it seems, had a stringent "high heels only" policy for its red carpet divas. This led to an uproar, especially when Screen Daily highlighted the incident where older women with medical conditions were denied entry for their choice of footwear.

Celebrities didn’t shy away from voicing their opinions on the matter. Emily Blunt candidly remarked, “We shouldn’t wear high heels. That’s very disappointing,” emphasizing on the growing need for equality.

Barefoot and breaking barriers

Julia's act didn't just stop at Cannes. Remember, this is the woman who celebrated her wedding to Lyle Lovett with her feet touching the ground, away from the confines of shoes. Her Cannes barefoot parade was more than a fashion statement. It was a stand against gender biases, a symbol of gender parity, and a nod towards an equal world.

Also Read: 'She has a very big mouth': Hugh Grant's candid commentary on Notting Hill co-star Julia Roberts 

The ever-vocal Kristen Stewart shared her views on the festival's dress code, highlighting the blatant disparities in the guidelines. Her words, “You simply cannot ask me to do something that you are not asking him,” encapsulated the sentiments of many.

While Julia did kick off her Cannes entrance with heels, she managed to, quite literally, kick them off, making a strong statement without uttering a word. One can only marvel at her audacity, challenging norms and setting the stage for a more inclusive Cannes.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.