Taylor Swift is a vision in strapless blue gown as she leads best dressed stars with Kim Kardashian, Kate Hudson and Jessica Biel at 2026 Academy Museum Gala

Hollywood's biggest names - including 14-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift - emerged in Los Angeles on Saturday night to attend the invite-only Academy Museum Gala.

The sixth annual soiree is held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and serves as the museum's biggest fundraiser for its film exhibitions, screenings and other programs offered to members and the public.

Swift, who is set to deliver a hotly anticipated performance at the gala, stole the show on the red carpet in a strapless pale blue gown that highlighted her tiny waist.

The 36-year-old singer also debuted shorter hair, which she had styled in curls that framed her face with one side tucked behind her ear.

Swift narrowly avoided an awkward red carpet reunion with Kim Kardashian, 45, with whom she has publicly feud with for over a decade.

The drama between the two goes way back to 2016, when Kardashian's ex-husband Kanye West's song Famous dropped and she leaked edited phone calls that made Swift look like a liar - sparking snake emojis, fan rage and fueling the Reputation album.

After being named TIME's Person of the Year in 2023, Swift threw shade at Kardashian, claiming she 'took her down psychologically' and forced her into hiding, sending the feud back into headlines.

Kardashian appeared to extend an olive brand earlier this year, when she described Swift as 'a super talented, great artist' on her sister Khloe Kardashian's podcast. 

However, Swift never responded publicly to Kardashian's flattery.

Swift arrived just minutes before Kardashian at the gala, which was also attended by Kardashian's half-sister Kendall Jenner, 30. 

Along with her striking blue gown, Swift accessorized with diamond chandelier earrings that brought out the sparkly rhinestone details on the gown's bodice.

As for makeup, the Anti-Hero hitmaker rocked her go-to winged eyeliner.

But instead of her signature red lip, Swift painted her pout a mauve pink shade that matched her blush.

Missing from the billionaire's side was her husband Travis Kelce, 36, who she famously wed in July at NYC's iconic Madison Square Garden.

However, Swift did have a piece of Kelce with her in the form of her massive diamond engagement ring, which he gave her in August 2025 and reportedly cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.

Kardashian strayed from her typical sexy style for this year's gala and, instead, opted to go full Old Hollywood glam.

The mother-of-four exuded elegance in a frilly strapless dress with a baby pink bow on the back that doubled as a train.

Kardashian had her raven hair styled in a perfectly formed updo and she amped up her natural beauty with fake lashes, brown eyeshadow and plenty of hot pink blush.

She was noticeably decked out in diamonds, including an incredible choker necklace that sparkled under the red carpet lights. 

Kate Hudson also looked straight out of vintage Tinseltown as she modeled a breathtaking blush-toned strapless gown.

The Oscar nominee, 47, wore her bright blonde strands in curls inspired by silver screen icon Veronica Lake.

Biel, 44, put on a show-stopping display as she arrived with longtime husband Justin Timberlake, 45, in a sexy black halter gown with a daring thigh-high slit.

The actress, who shares two sons with Timberlake, posed with one toned legs sticking out, as to show off her sky-high Christian Louboutin heels.

Adding to the glamour, Biel had a black feather boa draped around her as she made the walk down the event's starry red carpet. 

Love Story star Sarah Pidgeon, who became a household name after portraying the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, struck a stylish pose in a bright red sequin frock.

The 30-year-old blonde showed off her matching red pedicure in a pair of white sandal heels.

Karlie Kloss, 34, stunned onlookers in an elegant black sleeveless gown with an Old Hollywood-inspired fur-trim waistline. 

Brittany Snow looked every bit the bombshell in a sexy red sequin gown that showed off her killer figure as she posed for photographers ahead of the event.

The actress, 40, reunited with her Pitch Perfect co-star Anna Kendrick, 41, who took the plunge in a black gown with a daringly low neckline that showed off her cleavage.

Mia Goth, who is fresh off her divorce from fellow actor Shia LaBeouf, looked incredible in a black robe-like gown with black sequin details that matched her purse.

Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, 53, suited up in a classic black tuxedo to pose beside his glamorous designer girlfriend Georgina Chapman, 50, who is the ex-wife of disgraced Hollywood producer and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein.

For the star-studded event, Chapman slipped her runway-worthy figure into a striking nude illusion gown covered in black floral appliqués. 

SNL icon Kristen Wiig, 53, went topless under a chic black tuxedo jacket, which she styled with straight trousers and stiletto heels. 

Demi Moore flaunted her ever-shrinking frame in a billowing purple ballgown with a strapless black bodice. 

The Oscar nominee looked much younger than her 63 years as she wore glamorous makeup and her hair up in an elegant bun. 

Eva Longoria appeared to channel the late Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn as she arrived in a chic updo with baby bangs.

The Desperate Housewives alum, 51, modeled a black off-the-shoulder gown with a geometric waist and mermaid-style skirt.

Olivia Munn dazzled in a strapless gold gown and with her silky brunette tresses tumbling down her back in straight strands.

The mother-of-one, 46, kept accessories to a minimum by opting for a few statement rings and a pair of gold stud earrings.

Kendall Jenner flaunted her model figure by wearing an eye-catching black and white strapless gown with a thigh-high slit.

The polkadot frock highlighted her tiny waist while also giving glimpses at her long legs.

Jenner’s brunette hair was swept up in a bun and she opted for a natural glam makeup look for the night.

Missing from her side with actor boyfriend Jacob Elordi, 29, who she began dating earlier this year.

However, the Frankenstein star was also in attendance but arrived minutes after the beloved supermodel in a black tuxedo. 

Emily Ratajkowski channeled Baywatch bombshells in a skintight red gown with a plunging V-neckline that exposed her ample cleavage.

The model, 35, was joined by her hunky French director boyfriend Romain Gavras, 45, who previously dated pop star Dua Lipa.

Euphoria beauty Hunter Schafer, 27, exuded glamour in a strapless black velvet gown with a thigh-slit that exposed a flowing white skirt.

Jessica Alba, 45, hit the red carpet with her much-younger beau Danny Ramirez, 34, in a sexy sleeveless black dress.

Hollywood sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning arrived together in clashing gowns.

Dakota, 32, wowed in a see-through black sleeveless gown while Elle, 28, looked like a princess in a flowing pink frock with a sparkly butterfly-shaped bodice.

Eiza Gonzalez, 36, looked effortlessly stunning in a one-shoulder white gown with a lengthy train that she whipped around for the cameras.

Swift is set to deliver a hotly anticipated performance at the gala's closing on Saturday night, following the red carpet festivities and honorees.

Swift wrote the original song I Knew It, I Knew You for this summer's roaring box office hit Toy Story 5, making her eligible for a nomination at the next Oscars.

Academy Museum president Amy Homma hailed Swift, 36, as 'an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world,' in a statement announcing her booking.

'We are thrilled to welcome her to this year's gala and look forward to her performance to close a wonderful evening of honoring three extraordinary filmmakers and supporting the Academy Museum's mission to celebrate and preserve cinema.' 

This year's Academy Museum Gala is honoring Oscar winner Charlize Theron, Oscar nominee Colman Domingo and Halloween director John Carpenter.

Theron will be given the Icon Award for global impact, which at past ceremonies has gone to Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz, Meryl Streep and Rita Moreno.

Domingo is being bequeathed the Vantage Award, a tip of the hat to artists who fly in the face of the prevailing narratives in cinema.

His predecessors in receiving the gong include Michael B Jordan, Paul Mescal, 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen and Saturday Night Live alumnus Bowen Yang.

Carpenter, who is also a noted composer, is being garlanded with the Luminary Award for those whose work has broadened the scope of creativity in cinema.

In previous years, the prize has been presented to Quentin Tarantino and to Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles, whose 2024 political drama I'm Still Here won the Oscar for best international feature months after he was feted at the museum.

Homma showered praise on Theron, Domingo and Carpenter for their 'extraordinary careers,' which she said 'exemplify the creativity, innovation, and excellence that continues to move the industry forward.'

Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw are co-chairing the awards ceremony along with Spy Kids director Robert Rodriguez. 

Swift's performance comes after the publicity whirlwind attending her 1,000-guest wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in July.

In the wake of her nuptials, she released four new songs including the hit single Patient Zero for the deluxe 'encore' edition of her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl.