Mariska Hargitay Stuns at Cannes, Reveals Family Secret in Emotional Documentary

Mariska Hargitay lit up the Cannes Film Festival, not just with her dazzling red carpet looks but with a deeply personal revelation that added emotional weight to her documentary, My Mom Jayne. The Law & Order: SVU star turned heads in a glamorous off-the-shoulder ensemble—black top, sequined red skirt—channeling vintage Hollywood while honoring her late mother, Jayne Mansfield. Her Instagram posts, capturing moments with husband Peter Hermann, radiated joy and pride, with fans calling her look a 'dream' straight out of the '60s.

Hargitay didn’t stop there. She commanded attention in a sleek, one-shoulder black gown adorned with silver and gold embroidery for the Vie Privée premiere, and later, a form-fitting white dress with a jeweled halter at the amfAR Gala. Each outfit was a masterclass in elegance, paired with her signature poise and minimal yet striking accessories.

The heart of her Cannes appearance, though, was My Mom Jayne, a documentary she produced and directed about Mansfield, who died tragically when Hargitay was three. In a bombshell revelation, Hargitay shared she learned in her 20s that her father, Mickey Hargitay, was not her biological father—Las Vegas entertainer Nelson Sardelli was. 'I’m Mickey’s daughter,' she affirmed, calling the film a 'love letter' to the man who raised her. This emotional thread wove through her Cannes presence, making her every step a tribute to family and resilience.

Other stars shone brightly too. Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, earned a five-minute ovation, while Nicole Kidman, honored at Kering’s Women in Motion Awards, championed women in film. Lauren Sánchez, radiant at the Global Gift Gala, accepted the Women Empowerment Award, emphasizing collective compassion. Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, and Dakota Johnson also made bold statements, their fashion and projects amplifying Cannes’ vibrant energy.