Hailey Rhode Bieber is no stranger to owning the red carpet, but her latest appearance at the 2025 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles is one of her most memorable yet.
The model and Rhode founder took to Instagram, where she shared a carousel of photos captioned, “always a beautiful night @academymuseum,” , and for her 55.5 million followers, that was all it took to send the internet into a fashion frenzy.
Hailey stepped out in a breathtaking custom Schiaparelli creation, a sculpted chocolate-brown satin corset gown with exaggerated padded hips and a daring thigh-high slit. The structured bodice featured a nude underlay, creating the illusion of a modern-day hourglass silhouette, while crystal embellishments cascaded delicately down the front of her dress.
Every detail, from the luxurious moiré fabric to the subtle contrast of texture and sheen, spoke of couture precision and sensual confidence.
Complementing her ensemble, Hailey adorned herself with Tiffany & Co. jewelry, a diamond bracelet, matching ring, and earrings that caught the light with every movement.
Her makeup was classic Hailey: bronzed, glowing skin, glossy nude lips, and softly contoured cheeks that gave her a radiant, sun-kissed finish. With her chestnut waves parted down the middle and effortlessly framing her face, she embodied understated glamour at its finest.
Inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the evening celebrated cinema’s most influential figures, Penélope Cruz, Walter Salles, Bruce Springsteen, and Bowen Yang among them. The gala, now in its fifth year, has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most glamorous events, often described as the West Coast’s answer to the Met Gala. Beneath a sea of chandeliers and champagne toasts, stars from across the industry gathered to honor creativity, artistry, and the enduring magic of film.
Hailey, who attended the event with her close friend Kendall Jenner, was effortlessly poised as she mingled with guests and posed for photographers. Jenner, ever her partner-in-glam, opted for a sleek black sleeveless gown, the perfect minimalist contrast to Hailey’s sculptural couture moment.
But the night didn’t go unnoticed for another reason. Both Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez, who have been the subject of renewed feud speculation, attended the gala. Despite being in the same space, the two managed to gracefully avoid any direct interaction.
While Hailey arrived with Kendall, Selena walked the carpet hand-in-hand with her husband, music producer Benny Blanco, marking their first red carpet appearance since tying the knot. The Rare Beauty founder looked ethereal in a black shimmery strapless gown by Giorgio Armani Privé, draped elegantly with a blazer over her shoulders, while Benny complemented her look in a black suit paired with a silk shirt. Together, they embodied a kind of quiet sophistication that drew admiring glances from every corner of the event.
Their coinciding appearances come just days after Hailey’s comments in a Wall Street Journal interview sparked conversation online. When asked about competition in the beauty industry, particularly with her Rhode products now sold alongside other major brands like Rare Beauty, Hailey remarked, “I think there is space for everybody. I don’t feel competitive with people that I’m not inspired by.” Though she never mentioned Selena by name, the internet, predictably, filled in the blanks.
A spokesperson for Hailey later clarified that the remarks were not directed at Selena. The actress herself responded calmly through her Instagram Stories, writing, “Just leave the girl alone. She can say whatever she wants. Doesn’t affect my life whatsoever. It’s just about relevance not intelligence. Be kind. All brands inspire me. There is room for everyone.”
If the gala proved anything, it’s that both women have mastered the art of grace under scrutiny. Each arrived radiant and self-assured, focused on the occasion rather than the noise.
As the evening unfolded, Hailey’s Schiaparelli gown became one of the night’s standout moments, a daring yet elegant statement that reaffirmed her place among Hollywood’s most polished dressers. With every photo she shared, Hailey showed the world that fashion isn’t just about fabric or form, it’s about presence. And in her case, that means power wrapped in poise, a quiet kind of glamour that lingers long after the flashbulbs fade.
