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As L’Oréal Paris designs the iconic Hotel Martinez for Cannes 2026, Aishwarya’s absence has sparked a massive storm on social media.
‘Where is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’?: Fans wonder about L’Oréal Paris as the brand unveils its Cannes façade without the legend
The red carpet is rolling out, the light bulbs are on, and the Hotel Martinez — the unofficial headquarters of Hollywood’s elite — has just been covered in L’Oréal Paris’s iconic “festive look.”
As the official makeup partner of Cannes 2026, L’Oréal has released a high-octane promotional video showcasing its brand ambassadors hanging on the façade of the luxury hotel. From Viola Davis and Helen Mirren to Eva Longoria and new global ambassador Alia Bhatt, the labels feature all the stars associated with the brand.
But the Internet noticed a glaring queen-sized gap in the lineup.
Despite being the face of the brand for over two decades, and arguably the most anticipated personality at Cannes every year, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is nowhere to be seen on Martinez’s walls. The omission sparked a firestorm, with fans accusing the brand of “treating them badly” in favor of new faces.
The Internet reacts
As L’Oréal prepares to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Lights On Women’s Worth Award, the social media spotlight is firmly on the missing poster of Ponniyin Selvan star. While Alia Bhatt’s fans are busy promoting her, Aishwarya’s loyalists are demanding answers.
For the Indian audience, Aishwarya is not just an ambassador; They are the reason the brand has become a household name. As one user poignantly put it: “New faces may come, but you can’t replace the OG.”
The comments section on L’Oréal’s official handle turned into a digital protest, with thousands of fans questioning the brand’s loyalty to the woman who put them on the Asian map. “Where is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan?” one puzzled fan asked.
Another did not hold back: “This is too much! This time L’Oreal is exaggerating. The poster does not feature a legend like Aishwarya, who has made the L’Oreal brand famous throughout the entire Asian continent, but instead highlights some actresses who are only two days old! Apart from Aishwarya’s ads, what other ambassador ads have received millions of views? Shame.”
The sentiment that the brand is “worthless” without her presence has been repeated over and over again: “@lorealparis we need an answer, where is the global icon @aishwaryaraibachchan_arb?? We are watching Cannes just to see Aishwarya Rai”
For many, this connection is deeply personal: “Imagine the star power she has, but you guys have been treating her so badly in recent years,” another user wrote, reminding the brand of its twenty-year legacy.
Even those currently on the ground in France are feeling the sting: “Even though the OG @aishwaryaraibachchan_arb is not on the posters, I hope she will attend the Cannes Film Festival. I really want to see it in person. Please @lorealparis don’t take this opportunity away from me because I will only be in Cannes to see @aishwaryaraibachchan_arb.”
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