L'Oreal Paris Faces Backlash Over Omission of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan From Cannes 2026 Poster Lineup When French beauty brand L'Oreal Paris unveiled its Cannes 2026 promotional posters at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France, social media users quickly noticed the absence of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a long-standing global ambassador for the brand. The actor, who has represented L'Oreal Paris since 2003, was not featured in the brand’s latest campaign, sparking widespread surprise and disappointment among fans. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, known for her iconic presence at the Cannes Film Festival since 2002, has been a symbol of the event for many Indians. Her omission from the brand’s posters, which included newer faces like Alia Bhatt and Aditi Rao Hydari, led to immediate backlash on social media. Users questioned the decision, with one commenting on L'Oreal Paris’s Instagram post: “Where is @aishwaryaraibachchan_arb ? We only see Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during Cannes. We want to see her more. Her aura is unmatched ..please promote and celebrate her more.” In response, L'Oreal Paris addressed the criticism, stating, “Year after year, Cannes after Cannes. She never misses.” However, the brand’s reply did not fully satisfy the audience. Another user challenged the response, asking, “@lorealparis so then where's her poster???” The brand later replied to a fan’s praise of Rai as the “queen of Cannes,” saying, “Timeless and completely herself. That is Aishwarya Rai.” The controversy coincided with the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where Alia Bhatt represented India on the red carpet. L'Oreal Paris emphasized that Rai would still make an appearance, stating, “If L'Oreal Paris is to be believed, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will surely make a red-carpet appearance as 'good things take time.#aishwarya_rai_bachchan #alial_bhatt #loreal_paris #cannes_film_festival #hotel_martinez
