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The 79th Festival de Cannes (2026) has officially begun, but for many Indian fans, the celebration hit a sour note early on. L’Oreal Paris, the official makeup partner of the festival, recently unveiled its iconic promotional display at the Hôtel Martinez. While giant posters of Alia Bhatt, Viola Davis, Eva Longoria, and Helen Mirren now drape the building’s facade, the brand’s longest-serving Indian ambassador, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is conspicuously missing.
The Viral Snub: “Where is Aishwarya?”
The controversy started when L’Oréal Paris shared an Instagram video captioned, “And… action! The most iconic facade in Cannes is getting its festival look.” Almost immediately, the comment section turned into a protest ground for Aishwarya’s global fanbase.
- The “OG” Argument: Fans argued that Aishwarya, who has represented L’Oreal at Cannes for over 22 years, is the primary reason the brand gained such massive visibility across Asia.
- Alia vs. Aishwarya: While Alia Bhatt (returning for her second year) was celebrated by many, others felt the brand was unfairly sidelining the “Queen of Cannes” in favor of newer faces.
- Fan Quotes: “You can sign 100 Alias, but none can match the timeless elegance of Aishwarya,” one viral comment read. Another added, “Cannes is known for Aishwarya. L’Oreal is nothing in India without her.”
L’Oréal Paris Responds to the Backlash
As the outrage grew, the official L’Oréal Paris account began replying to concerned fans to calm the waters. The brand provided a subtle yet firm reassurance:
“A living legend, and she knows exactly what to do with that. Year after year, Cannes after Cannes, she never misses.”
Despite the lack of a poster, L’Oreal confirmed that all three of its Indian ambassadors—Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, and Aditi Rao Hydari—will walk the red carpet this year.
What to Expect at Cannes 2026
While the poster debate continues, the festival is moving full steam ahead. Here is the current status of the Indian contingent:
| Ambassador | Status |
| Alia Bhatt | Already reached Cannes; spotted at Nice Airport in a tailored black Carolina Herrera look. |
| Aishwarya Rai | Reportedly traveling to the French Riviera later this week; expected to make a “legendary” entrance. |
| Aditi Rao Hydari | Confirmed to attend; focusing on the Lights on Women’s Worth Award. |
Aishwarya’s first Cannes appearance dates back to 2002 (for Devdas), and she has been a L’Oréal ambassador since 2003. Whether she is on a poster or not, the “Aishwarya effect” remains the most anticipated moment of the festival for millions.
L’Oréal’s longest-serving Indian ambassador, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is conspicuously missing from 79th Festival de Cannes (2026)