Elle hosted its annual Women in Hollywood event on Monday, celebrating a lineup of this year’s standout performers, including Jennifer Aniston, Emily Blunt, Rose Byrne, Teyana Taylor, Jessie Buckley, Chase Infiniti, Renate Reinsve and Sinners stars Hailee Steinfeld, Jayme Lawson and Wunmi Mosaku.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came when Adam Sandler took the stage to honor Aniston.
He shared how long their friendship has lasted, saying he has “been friends with this spectacular genius since I was 22 years old — a young, handsome, skinny boy.”
He praised her loyalty and calm nature, adding, “I’ve only seen her angry like two and a half times in the 40 years I’ve hung out with her.” Sandler also acknowledged Aniston’s boyfriend Jim Curtis, joking, “We love you, Jim, the whole world loves you Jim.”
Aniston reflected on the progress women have made in Hollywood since she was last recognized by Elle in 2011. She noted “how many incredible women have just kicked the door down… You’ve been creating, you’ve been directing, you’ve been leading, you’ve been producing, you’ve been starring.”
She recalled wanting to produce after Friends ended in 2004 and being met with the response of “how cute you are.” She added, “I got to produce my first movie and I can confirm, I love it. And I’m really good at it.”
Now an executive producer on The Morning Show, Aniston spoke about the value of storytelling, saying it’s something “that A.I. will never be able to duplicate, no matter how smart it gets.”
Throughout the evening, Dwayne Johnson, Kerry Washington, Chloé Zhao, Regina Hall and Sebastian Stan introduced fellow honorees. Melissa McCarthy saluted Byrne, saying she has spent 25 years proving “no one can put limits on her talent.”
Speaking for Sinners, Lawson emphasised the importance of community: “When you find your sisters in this industry, you hold on tight for dear life and you do not dare let them go.”