Hollywood icon Sharon Stone proved she hasn't lost her edge during a memorable appearance at the 2026 Astra Film Awards. The event, held on January 9, took an unexpected turn when Stone used her acceptance speech to address tablemates who failed to recognize her and challenged her presence.
A Frosty Reception at the Gala
According to footage later shared on YouTube, the tense encounter occurred before Stone took the stage. Fellow guests at her table apparently did not know who the "Basic Instinct" and "Casino" star was. They confronted her, questioning why she was sitting in a particular seat.
Stone did not let the slight go unanswered. She opened her speech with a direct call-out. "And to the kids at my table who wondered, 'Who the fuck took that chair?' Now you know," she stated pointedly. The audience reacted with audible gasps as Stone recounted the exchange, noting someone had demanded, "Who are you and why are you sitting here?"
"As she said, 'Fuck you!'" Stone retorted, mimicking her own response. The Emmy-winning actor chose not to publicly identify the individuals involved.
From Confrontation to a Call for Consciousness
After addressing the immediate incident, Stone pivoted her nearly 10-minute speech toward a more profound message. She urged her tablemates and the wider audience to leverage their platforms for good.
"More importantly, and more to the point, I'd like to say welcome to you. And I'd like to say, this is an opportunity," Stone said. She shared that she began her activism work when her fame escalated, dedicating decades to organizations like amfAR (the American Foundation for AIDS Research).
Stone offered them a challenge: "I'd like to give you an opportunity to start your activism work now that your consciousness has kicked in." She emphasized that "fame without awareness, success without purpose, is pointless." Her sprawling address covered her childhood, career, and her personal definition of decency.
The Last Word and Lasting Impact
True to form, Stone circled back to the evening's awkward start before concluding. She told the audience to "carry home someone you're proud of, and you, too, will be timeless, whether the people at your table know who you are or not."
Her final words were directed squarely at her table. "Here's what I'm going to tell you," she said, pointing toward them. "You know who I am now."
The moment resonates in light of Stone's recent reflections on her career. In 2024, she told "Good Morning Britain" that her career slowed significantly after she suffered a near-fatal stroke and brain hemorrhage in 2001. "I was sort of hurt that the world moved on without me," she admitted, though she said she has mostly moved past those feelings. Her powerful Astra Awards speech suggests a blend of resilience and a lingering sting, proving her star power remains undimmed.
