Aishwarya Rai's absence from L'Oreal Cannes 2026 campaign sparks fan outrage
Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's absence from L'Oreal Paris's Cannes 2026 campaign video set off questions online. The reaction reflected her long association with the brand and the Cannes Film Festival.
If you were looking at beauty brand L’Oreal Paris’s latest Cannes Film Festival campaign, one absence stood out at once. Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was not seen in a promotional video shared by the brand on May 10. The exclusion quickly drew criticism on Instagram and X ahead of Cannes 2026, with fans asking, "Where is Aishwarya?"
The reaction was sharp because the 52-year-old actor has been linked with L’Oreal at Cannes for more than two decades. For many fans, she is one of the brand’s most familiar faces at the festival. Her absence from the latest campaign led to questions, even as L’Oreal said all three of its Indian ambassadors, Aishwarya, Alia Bhatt and Aditi Rao Hydari, will represent India at this year’s event.
The controversy
On May 10, the official L’Oreal Paris Instagram account posted a video showing large promotional posters being unfurled across a hotel building in Cannes. The visuals featured Alia, Viola Davis, Eva Longoria and Helen Mirren, among others. The caption read, "And action! The most iconic facade in Cannes is getting its festival look (sic)."
Soon after, fans began asking why Aishwarya had not been included. Many said the long-time face of the brand should have appeared alongside the other celebrities in the campaign. Her absence dominated the comment sections, with several users criticising the brand for leaving her out.
Aishwarya became a global brand ambassador for L’Oreal in 2003 alongside names such as Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria and Penelope Cruz. Since then, she has walked the Cannes red carpet more than 20 times under the brand’s banner, making her one of its most recognised faces at the festival.
India’s Cannes line-up
While Aishwarya’s absence from the campaign drew attention, Alia was prominently featured in it. She is returning to Cannes for the second consecutive year as a Global Ambassador for L’Oreal Paris after making her debut at the 2025 festival.
On Monday, Alia was seen at Nice Airport in a structured all-black look. She wore a tailored Carolina Herrera blazer with puffed shoulders and a cinched waist, paired with matching Camila skinny trousers from the label’s Spring 2026 collection. She completed the monochrome look with Gucci accessories.
Speaking about her return, Alia said, "It feels incredibly special to return to Cannes with L’Oreal Paris for the second time. Last year was such an unforgettable experience, and I am truly excited to be back for what feels like an even bigger celebration this year."
"There is a beautiful energy here, one of sisterhood and the celebration of female voices, and it is a privilege to be part of this journey with a brand that so strongly champions women’s worth and empowerment," she added.
The festival will also feature filmmaker Payal Kapadia as president of the jury for the 65th edition of Cannes Critics’ Week, among other celebrities.
If you were looking at beauty brand L’Oreal Paris’s latest Cannes Film Festival campaign, one absence stood out at once. Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was not seen in a promotional video shared by the brand on May 10. The exclusion quickly drew criticism on Instagram and X ahead of Cannes 2026, with fans asking, "Where is Aishwarya?"
The reaction was sharp because the 52-year-old actor has been linked with L’Oreal at Cannes for more than two decades. For many fans, she is one of the brand’s most familiar faces at the festival. Her absence from the latest campaign led to questions, even as L’Oreal said all three of its Indian ambassadors, Aishwarya, Alia Bhatt and Aditi Rao Hydari, will represent India at this year’s event.
The controversy
On May 10, the official L’Oreal Paris Instagram account posted a video showing large promotional posters being unfurled across a hotel building in Cannes. The visuals featured Alia, Viola Davis, Eva Longoria and Helen Mirren, among others. The caption read, "And action! The most iconic facade in Cannes is getting its festival look (sic)."
Soon after, fans began asking why Aishwarya had not been included. Many said the long-time face of the brand should have appeared alongside the other celebrities in the campaign. Her absence dominated the comment sections, with several users criticising the brand for leaving her out.
Aishwarya became a global brand ambassador for L’Oreal in 2003 alongside names such as Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria and Penelope Cruz. Since then, she has walked the Cannes red carpet more than 20 times under the brand’s banner, making her one of its most recognised faces at the festival.
India’s Cannes line-up
While Aishwarya’s absence from the campaign drew attention, Alia was prominently featured in it. She is returning to Cannes for the second consecutive year as a Global Ambassador for L’Oreal Paris after making her debut at the 2025 festival.
On Monday, Alia was seen at Nice Airport in a structured all-black look. She wore a tailored Carolina Herrera blazer with puffed shoulders and a cinched waist, paired with matching Camila skinny trousers from the label’s Spring 2026 collection. She completed the monochrome look with Gucci accessories.
Speaking about her return, Alia said, "It feels incredibly special to return to Cannes with L’Oreal Paris for the second time. Last year was such an unforgettable experience, and I am truly excited to be back for what feels like an even bigger celebration this year."
"There is a beautiful energy here, one of sisterhood and the celebration of female voices, and it is a privilege to be part of this journey with a brand that so strongly champions women’s worth and empowerment," she added.
The festival will also feature filmmaker Payal Kapadia as president of the jury for the 65th edition of Cannes Critics’ Week, among other celebrities.
