Sharon Stone Doms Cannes

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Despite my strong criticism last year of their decision to honor Kevin Spacey, the Better World Fund invited me back to their event this year. This time, they honored Sharon Stone, awarding her for Best Engagement – though the specifics of that award are unclear.

Last year at the gala, someone actually sat on me because they didn’t see I was already seated. This year was even stranger – a woman ate my dinner while I was using the restroom! It seems like people at the Better World Fund Gala don’t really see me. And honestly, I’d almost prefer being sat on again. Speaking of awkward arrivals, when I finally got there – after being held up at a movie screening – a woman was desperately trying to get the audience’s attention. She was pleading with them, saying, “Can you please close your eyes and be quiet?” but no one was listening.

Stone unexpectedly walked on stage around 10 p.m., and seemed a little nervous at first. She began by saying, “Thank you all for being here tonight. It means a lot that you’ve come to this event, which we started three years ago.”

Stone emphasized the urgent need to protect women and children worldwide. He shared a recent observation that resonated with the audience: the world essentially consists of women and their children. The statement was met with applause, indicating broad agreement.

She spoke along these lines for several minutes. “I believe it’s crucial for men to understand that every man was born of a woman,” she went on. “How you treat women shows how you value yourself, because that’s where you come from.”

She then seemed to move away from her prepared speech. “Looking at all of you, I sense you want me to say something that will bring you closure, even though this moment feels unresolved. Is that right?” a woman beside me shouted, “Yes!” Stone nodded and continued, “But I believe you all already know, deep down. If each of you were to place your hand on your stomach…” She paused and then instructed everyone to look at the person next to them—someone they might or might not know—and really observe them.

Some people listened. Stone explained that everyone was once a vulnerable child, and at some point, someone likely caused them pain. She looked around at the audience and said that someone probably hurt, disappointed, or made them feel insignificant. She believed that if you could apologize to them now for what happened, and let them know you cared, it would make a real difference.

She looked at the audience expectantly. She was not pleased.

Stone asked everyone to turn to a stranger nearby and make eye contact. She then firmly requested they put their phones away, repeating, “Put them down!” several times, emphasizing her request to focus on the people around them.

We did as she instructed, but she still seemed displeased. She told us to turn to the person beside us and sincerely apologize for anything we’ve done to cause them pain, fear, or anger – anything that makes them feel vulnerable or upset, even when they’re by themselves. Then she snapped, telling everyone to put their phones away.

Stone started asking people in the audience to connect with each other. She instructed them to turn to the person next to them and share a hug. She also encouraged them to express care and love to someone who might be struggling, specifically asking a person in a white shirt to reach out to someone nearby and acknowledge their pain.

She scanned the crowd and addressed different people one by one. “You, with the pain – go hug that man. And you, the woman behind you – turn and hug the person next to you. You, over there – hug the woman beside you.” Slowly, people started turning to face each other. Some embraced. One man confided in me that he was scared, but I felt incredibly vibrant and full of life.

It started raining. Stone was bolstered. “You see the rain coming down,” she said.

She said, “Clean energy is becoming more affordable.” Then, after a pause and looking at us, she added, “Thank you for taking care of yourselves.”

As she left the stage, a man accidentally knocked over a pile of plates, and they crashed to the floor. Someone screamed, and then another woman began to sing opera—remarkably well—but no one seemed to notice.

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2026-05-19 00:54