Kevin Spacey walks Cannes red carpet with Via Lemann amid ongoing comeback
Their red carpet appearance quickly drew attention and debate on social media
Kevin Spacey’s appearance at the Cannes Film Festival alongside Uzbek model Via Lemann has sparked attention on social media, marking another public step in the actor’s gradual return to the spotlight following years of sexual misconduct allegations.
The 66-year-old Hollywood actor walked the red carpet on Wednesday at a screening of a French historical drama about political leader Charles de Gaulle. He was accompanied by Lemann, a model born in Uzbekistan, as the pair posed together for photographers.
While Spacey appeared composed and smiling throughout the appearance, Lemann’s energetic presence on the red carpet drew commentary online, with some social media users questioning her lively behavior during the high-profile event.
Spacey, who identifies as a gay man, has previously spoken publicly about his sexuality. In a 2017 statement, he said he had relationships with both men and women before choosing to live as a gay man, citing personal and family reasons for initially delaying that disclosure.
The actor’s career—once defined by acclaimed performances in The Usual Suspects and American Beauty—was severely impacted after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct first surfaced in 2017 during the #MeToo movement.
Spacey has consistently denied wrongdoing and has been acquitted or had cases dismissed in several legal proceedings in the UK and US.
In 2023, he was acquitted of nine sexual offence charges in Britain, while a separate civil lawsuit in New York was dismissed in 2022. He later settled a UK civil case brought by three men in 2026.
Despite legal victories, Spacey’s return to the industry has remained controversial. Cannes, which has enforced a stricter policy on misconduct in recent years, has continued to spotlight major international talent while maintaining its zero-tolerance stance.
In recent years, Spacey has taken on limited screen roles, including a part in the 2024 film Peter Five Eight and a television appearance in the Italian series Minimarket. However, neither project achieved significant critical or commercial impact.