Olivia Wilde arrived at the Sundance Film Festival knowing all eyes would be on her — and she gave them plenty to talk about.
At the Park City premiere of her new film The Invite, Olivia Wilde stepped onto the red carpet in a daring, netted gown that instantly dominated the conversation. The sheer dress featured lace straps and a bustier-inspired bodice that evoked delicate nightwear, flowing into a slip-style skirt with lace panels stitched across the torso and along the hem and thigh-high slit.
She paired the look with knee-high boots, her signature smoky eye, and soft nude lips. Completing the transformation, Wilde debuted a fresh blonde shade, worn loose in effortless waves. The overall effect was equal parts undone and intentional — classic Sundance provocation.
Wilde posed for photographers alongside her co-stars Seth Rogen and Edward Norton, marking the debut of her third directorial project following Booksmart and Don’t Worry Darling.
But it wasn’t just the dress that stirred reaction.
Pinned to one side of her chest was a tiny white pin that read “ICE out,” worn as a deliberate statement against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The badge referenced the widely reported fatal shooting of 37-year-old Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti during a federal immigration enforcement operation in January 2026 — a killing that has fueled protests and public pressure for change. Several other prominent figures, including actress Natalie Portman, were also photographed wearing the same pin as a sign of solidarity with those criticising ICE’s actions.
Speaking publicly about her decision, Wilde did not soften her stance. She described the country as “hurting,” saying she was appalled and sickened by the violence and rejected the idea of accepting it as normal. She emphasized that people are being killed and argued against normalizing that violence in media or public discourse, calling the situation hideous and urging support for efforts to delegitimize ICE.
The reaction online was immediate — and sharply divided.
While some praised her for using the spotlight to speak out, others pushed back hard. Social media filled with comments accusing her of hypocrisy, privilege, and performative activism. Critics dismissed celebrity political commentary outright, with remarks questioning why wealthy public figures should weigh in at all.
The dispute played out amid an already charged national climate. By the end of January 2026, Minneapolis had turned into a focal point after the launch of “Operation Metro Surge.”
The campaign sparked extensive raids and detentions and was marked by multiple fatal incidents — among them Pretti’s death — setting off days of protests, work stoppages, and courtroom battles. Governor Tim Walz publicly urged federal forces to leave the state, pointing to public safety risks and constitutional issues, as state and city leaders moved forward with legal challenges against Washington. As unrest grew, Minneapolis came to represent the wider national struggle over immigration policy, federal authority, and civil rights.
At Sundance, Wilde stood at the intersection of fashion, film, and politics — embraced by some, criticized by others, and impossible to ignore.
