John Travolta turned heads on the Cannes red carpet on Friday after debuting a striking new look that quickly sparked a wave of online reaction.
The 72-year-old Grease star appeared almost unrecognizable as he attended the screening of Karma alongside his daughter, Ella Bleu Travolta, 26. Travolta wore a cream beret paired with gold-rimmed glasses and a noticeably dyed, dark beard, giving him a more theatrical and unconventional appearance.
He also appeared in a slimmer shape and struck a series of playful, exaggerated poses for photographers, including peace signs and animated arm gestures, further amplifying attention on his red carpet transformation.
Social media users were quick to react, with many expressing confusion over his new style and questioning his appearance, particularly the contrast between his natural aging and the unusually dark beard. Others compared him to an artist or wax figure, while some criticized the cosmetic choices as overly dramatic for his age. However, a portion of fans defended the look, praising his confidence and individuality.
Later in the evening, Travolta became visibly emotional when he was awarded an honorary Palme d’Or. The recognition came ahead of the premiere of his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, in which his daughter Ella also stars.
Speaking on stage, Travolta described the honor as an overwhelming surprise and expressed gratitude to festival organizers, saying he had never expected his film to be selected for Cannes. He credited festival director Thierry Frémaux for the support and called the moment deeply humbling.
The film, based on Travolta’s 1997 children’s book, follows a young aviation enthusiast on a life-changing journey across the country. The project reflects Travolta’s long-standing passion for aviation, a theme inspired by his childhood experiences and personal history.
The actor shares Ella Bleu, along with sons Ben and the late Jett, with his late wife Kelly Preston.
