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The world of haute couture witnessed an unexpected drama at the Balenciaga show during Paris Fashion Week. On September 30, 2024, A-list actresses Nicole Kidman and Salma Hayek found themselves embroiled in what appeared to be a tense confrontation, captured on video and sparking widespread speculation.
The incident unfolded as Kidman, Hayek, and pop star Katy Perry posed for photographers. Footage shows Hayek attempting to guide Kidman toward cameras, only for the Australian star to push Hayek's arm away, turning her attention to Perry instead. The moment has since gone viral, leaving fans and industry insiders alike puzzled over the apparent friction between the two Hollywood heavyweights.
Body language expert Judi James offered insight, describing the interaction as "a Devil Wears Prada lesson in status signals." James suggested the awkwardness stemmed from "fashion house 'rules' that are possibly as complex as the Da Vinci Code," rather than any pre-existing animosity between the actresses.
The incident's context adds another layer of intrigue. Hayek's husband, François-Henri Pinault, is CEO of Kering, Balenciaga's parent company. Kidman, meanwhile, was named Balenciaga brand ambassador in December 2023. This corporate connection led some observers to speculate about potential power dynamics at play.
"Nicole is an employee of Salma's husband, so yes, Salma gets to boss her around," one social media user commented. Fashion commentator Louis Pisano mused on Twitter: "Oh that 'don't touch me' from Nicole to Salma at a brand show owned by her husband, that Balenciaga contract is in danger I fear."
Witnesses reported hearing fragments of dialogue between the actresses. Kidman allegedly told Hayek, "You don't need it," to which Hayek responded, "I do." The exact context of this exchange remains unclear.
The confrontation occurred just weeks after Kidman suffered a personal loss with the passing of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, at age 84. This tragic event had earlier prompted Kidman to leave the Venice Film Festival prematurely.
Despite the apparent tension, Hayek shared a photo with Kidman on Instagram the following day, captioning it: "Finally last night the grand finale of my Paris Fashion Week 2025... Balenciaga and Demna for a terrific show."
