Julia Roberts, 57, Is All Smiles as She Arrives in Italy for the 2025 Venice International Film Festival

The 57-year-old, in Venice for the festival alongside other stars, stepped off a boat in a bizarre cardigan, noticeably "thin" legs, and a smile that sparked alarm.

Julia Roberts made her grand arrival in Italy ahead of the Venice Film Festival on August 27, 2025, dressed in an outfit so unexpected that it instantly lit up social media, but not everyone was clapping. While she flashed her signature megawatt smile, fans couldn't help but ask: What’s really going on with America's sweetheart?

The Actress's Jaw-Dropping Look Has Fans Doing a Double Take

The Oscar-winning actress was dressed in a quirky black-and-white sweater emblazoned with a man's face. She looked a world away from the polished Hollywood goddess fans have come to know.

The sweater, bold enough to be a statement piece on its own, was paired with knee-length Bermuda shorts, a plain black tee, and chunky Superga sneakers. Roberts capped off her look with oversized cat-eye sunglasses and a Michael Rider update on Celine's iconic New Luggage bag.

'Is Julia Okay?' Internet Buzzes with Speculation

But it wasn't just Roberts' fashion that had people talking. It was her face, her legs, and that eerily radiant smile that had fans glued to their screens. Some viewers appeared unsettled, with one bluntly asking, "What's wrong with her?" while another person echoed similar concerns, "Something's not right."

Others zeroed in on her appearance, with one asking, "Why is her face so red 🤔" and another individual admitting, "I don't usually speculate like this, but is Julia okay? Her legs look reeeeeally thin 😬 [sic]." Even her expression drew attention, as someone wondered, "Why is she smiling like that??🤨"

Shifting away from her looks, a curious fan pointed out her outfit with the question, "Who's the face on her cardigan?" That curiosity continued, with another person chiming in, "Who is all over Julia Roberts' sweater? Looks like Billy Crystal."

One quick response came in with a name drop: "Luca Guadagnino." And then there were those who embraced the unusual vibes, with one fan admitting, "It's so off-putting, in a good way. I love it."

The Truth Behind the Sweater

Far from random, Roberts' sweater was a fashion tribute to the acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino, who's helming her upcoming crime-thriller film "After the Hunt." His face appeared on the cardigan, a bold style move that was a personal nod to the man guiding her next major role.

A Buried Secret

In "After the Hunt," Roberts stars as a college professor caught in a professional firestorm when a gifted student accuses a colleague of misconduct. But as the scandal unravels, a long-buried secret from her own past threatens to destroy everything.

It's the kind of intense, layered role Roberts thrives in — and perhaps a fitting mirror to the layered reactions her Venice appearance provoked.

So, while some fans celebrated her fashion risk and others questioned her health, one thing remains clear: Julia Roberts still knows how to make headlines — and leave her admirers talking.

A day before Roberts' arrival in Italy, on August 26, 2025, George and Amal Clooney were spotted arriving in style for the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, ahead of the event.

Photos and videos of the duo prompted a wave of commentary surrounding the dynamic of their relationship and how the couple looked, with much of the focus on George.

The Clooneys Spark Fresh Criticism in Venice

The couple made a grand entrance as they stepped off a Venetian boat taxi and onto the sun-drenched dock, oozing glamor and sophistication.

Amal — ever the showstopper — stunned in a sleeveless, belted, light yellow dress that hugged her statuesque figure. She paired this with white heels, a matching handbag, and oversized sunglasses. Her luxurious brunette waves tumbled over her shoulders and down her back in true screen-siren fashion.

By her side, George opted for understated charm in a short-sleeved, black polo tucked into cream slacks, topped off with a tan belt and beige suede shoes.

But despite his timeless aviators and signature silver hair, all anyone could talk about was the couple's display of affection.

Caught on Camera: A 'Clingy' Husband or a Loving Partner?

A slow-motion video of the couple's arrival set social media ablaze. As the Clooneys stroll hand-in-hand, George is seen reaching gently for Amal's hand, to which she responds by interlocking their fingers.

In a move some found sweet and others branded overbearing, George pulls her arm to his chest, creating a moment netizens were quick to dissect.

After watching the pair smile and remain unfazed by the flashbulbs and bystanders, critics online had less than pleasant sentiments to share. The focus quickly shifted to George's appearance, and the Internet didn't hold back.

One person observed, "George is starting to look a little old 😮," while a more blunt remark echoed, "Geez he [sic] looks so old 😢."

Others took a more speculative approach to the duo's interaction, offering personal interpretations of their body language. "He's definitely in control of her," a spectator asserted, while another opined, "He's too clingy lol!"

Someone else penned, "She has to hold his hand to keep him from falling," further fueling the online debate about the dynamic between the pair. "He looks like her father," wrote one observer, while another asked, "Is that his daughter?"

Still, not all feedback was critical. Amid the harsher voices, some admirers celebrated the pair's presence and style. "The glamour, the elegance of them both 💛," gushed one supporter. A fellow fan declared, "So chic! ❤️."

From Roberts' headline-making arrival to the Clooneys' glamorous stroll through Venice, the festival is already delivering its fair share of viral moments before the films even begin rolling.