Amal and George Clooney Kept the New York Public Library Open Late for the 2024 Albie Awards

The Clooney Foundation for Justice hosted the third annual Albies at the New York Public Library on Thursday night. The evening brought out defenders of justice and celebrities alike, eager to show their support for the cause.

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George and Amal Clooney were among the first arrivals, and spent the first part of the evening ping-ponging up and down the carpet, set up in the library lobby, as guests continued to arrive.

“I love it. And it’s sexy,” said Doja Cat as she walked down the carpet en route to cocktail hour. “And it’s Versace.”

“ Versace ” was the answer to many dressing inquiries that night, as the brand cohosted the event along with Charlotte Tilbury and Microsoft. The designer and beauty entrepreneur were both in attendance, as well as Melinda Gates, along with stars like Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, Shailene Woodley, Ariana DeBose, Leslie Bibb, Busy Philipps, Mark Ronson and Grace Gummer , Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Sabrina Dhowre Elba and Ava DuVernay.

Mumford and Sons and Sting were slated to perform later in the evening.

“George and Amal are working in extremely troubled spots where human conflict is still going on. So I really admire it,” said Trudie Styler, who walked the carpet with husband Sting before dinner. The couple founded their own human rights organization, the Rainforest Foundation Fund, in 1987 to protect Indigenous communities living in rainforest environments.

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The evening also brought out a trio of late-night hosts: Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver and Jon Stewart.

“Journalism, man,” said Stewart of his motivation for coming out to show his support. “Brave, brave journalists putting themselves at great risk in places where they are absolute targets. And so it’s always important to kind of recognize the work they do.”

Notably, no covering media was invited to attend the actual dinner program this year, during which journalist Luis Carlos Díaz was honored with an Albie award, named for South African activist Albie Sachs. Other honorees included Memory Banda, Nadia Murad, Women Wage Peace x Women of the Sun and Dolores Huerta.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award [is going] to Dolores Huerta, who is 94 years old and has more energy than any of us,” said George Clooney. “And she’s going to finish tonight, get on a plane, go to Mexico and protest something. She’s extraordinary, and a real freedom fighter.”

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Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt and More at “The Albies” Hosted by the Clooney Foundation for Justice