Charlize Theron voiced grave concerns about the current state of the world during her fifth annual Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) Block Party on Saturday night. The event, held on the Universal Studios backlot, raises funds to support the health and safety of youth in South Africa. Theron began her speech with a light-hearted joke, saying, “I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the big Hollywood party.
But that’s OK because they suck and we’re cool.” However, she quickly turned serious as she addressed pressing global issues. Here in Los Angeles, in the U.S., and across the globe, we’re moving backwards fast,” Theron said. Immigration policies have destroyed the lives of families, not criminals; women’s rights are becoming less and less every day; queer and trans lives are increasingly being erased; and gender-based violence is on the rise.
This isn’t just policy, it’s personal.” The crowd applauded, and she added, “Yeah, fuck them.
Theron, who immigrated to the U.S. as a teen to pursue a career in Hollywood, shared her personal struggles. She was deported at 19 for overstaying her work visa before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2007. She also highlighted the impact of foreign aid cuts on HIV and AIDS programs in South Africa.
“All of this is not just detrimental, it’s dangerous; people will lose their lives — many have already, unfortunately, and at a frightening rate.
Theron’s personal take on immigration
It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see this kind of unnecessary suffering,” Theron said.
Despite these challenges, Theron emphasized the power of resistance. “What we also see, what we cannot miss, is the resistance. There is hope.
There is power in all of us standing up, organizing, protesting, voting, and caring for each other, and refusing to accept that this is the new normal.”
Theron’s Old Guard 2 co-stars KiKi Layne, Henry Golding, and Marwan Kenzari attended the event. Theron and Layne participated in a live event hosted by Sean Evans, with proceeds benefiting the CTAOP. Musical artist Reneé Rapp performed her songs “Tummy Hurts” and her new single “Mad.”
Since its founding in 2007, CTAOP has reached over 4.5 million youth and has contributed nearly $15 million to organizations in South Africa.
Theron concluded her speech with a message of unity and resilience, saying, “There is hope. We must stand up and refuse to accept that this is the new normal. Everyone should have the right to be healthy and safe and to be seen.”
