9 famous women who've worn flats on the red carpet

In 2015, a group of women in their 50s were turned away from a Cannes Film Festival premiere for wearing flat shoes on the red carpet.

According to the festival organisers, heels were obligatory for women at any Cannes red carpet events.

Of course, there was uproar at the news with women everywhere demanding that men be given the same ridiculous treatment.

Plenty of celebrities had strong opinions on the matter too. Although many didn’t use their voice to state how they felt, they used something much more effective.

A year after the debacle, Julia Roberts turned up to the Cannes premiere of Money Monster wearing the usual A-list heel look. But as the actress took to the famous red stairs, she revealed she was now barefoot.

People saw it as an act of rebellion – although Julia never confirmed this. Instead, she simply said: “A lot was happening from my ankles up. Let’s not forget all that.”

In the same year, 70-year-old Susan Sarandon arrived on the red carpet in a sharp suit and flat black shoes. Never one for sticking to traditional style rules, the formidable star appeared to be giving two fingers to the organisers that had said women must totter round in painful shoes.

Lots of other stars have proven that women don’t need heels to be taken seriously on the red carpet. Uma Thurman, Cate Blanchett and the statuesque Gwendoline Christie have all taken to wearing flats at various premieres and events.

Actress Emma Thompson famously threw her Louboutin heels over her shoulder at the 2014 SAG Awards, swapping them for some glittery Louboutin flats instead.

Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot was the most recent famous face to flout the rules. She has carried out her entire press tour in flat shoes – even wearing a dainty pair of Aldo sandals with a stunning red Givenchy gown.

When asked why she wasn’t wearing heels (because that is the most important question, everyone), Gal replied: “It’s more comfortable. That’s it.”

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Kristen Stewart – a regular wearer of Converse on the red carpet – made her thoughts clear. “There’s definitely a distinct dress code,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “People get very upset at you if you don’t wear heels. If you’re not asking guys to wear heels and a dress, then you can’t ask me either.”

Here, we take a look at all the celebrities who have taken a stand against heel-wearing on the red carpet.

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