“‘I looked at the photos… and didn’t recognize myself.’ What was supposed to be Hollywood’s most flawless night at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party has now descended into chaos after the event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Some stars say the Vanity Fair Oscar party cast them in a bad light — literally.

Following the high-profile post-Academy Awards soirée at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Sunday, A-list attendees were allegedly complaining of the “crazy-bright” lighting and “unforgiving” pics.

“I felt like I was standing under klieg lights,” one guest told the Hollywood Reporter following the ultra-exclusive fête that VF retooled with a slashed guest list, less outside press and a new venue.

Another attendee joked that she felt like she was hitting early menopause under the glaring lights.

Jane Fonda with grey, curly hair and a dark, sequined dress at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

A-listers at Sunday’s Vanity Fair Oscar party are said to have been shocked by the party’s red carpet lighting. Jane Fonda is pictured at the soirée, above. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Sarah Paulson in a white cardigan and tulle skirt.

Attendees were allegedly complaining of the “crazy-bright” lighting and “unforgiving” pics. Sarah Paulson is seen here arriving. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

“It was like a hundred degrees,” the anonymous guest told THR. “I was literally having hot flashes.”

The Hollywood trade pointed out that the annual affair was previously known for its “sublime” red carpet lighting when the party was traditionally in Beverly Hills at the Wallis Annenberg Center.

A person described by THR as “a longtime party fixture” noted that the “meticulously calibrated” and flattering lighting was previously “the secret of the Oscar party’s success.”

Timothée Chalamet in an all-white suit at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

“I felt like I was standing under klieg lights,” one person told THR of the party, which was attended by nominee Timothée Chalamet. FilmMagic

Heidi Klum posing in a yellow and sheer embroidered dress at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Normally the bash is known for the “sublime” setup. Heidi Klum is pictured here at the event. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

“I’ve been shot at a million parties, but the setup for that party was always sublime,” they told the outlet. “When you posed for the paps at the VF gala, even the ugliest stars knew they’d  come out all right. It was like magic!”

But an insider noted that the lighting this year was, “Like being shot in extremely high-def.”

“You saw a lot of excess pounds and wrinkles that used to be hidden,” they shared. “Nobody wants to be photographed like that!”

Anna Wintour wearing a green blazer with black lapels and black floral embellishments, a white dress, a jeweled necklace, and sunglasses.

The red carpet lighting was previously known to be “like magic.” Anna Wintour is shown on the red carpet. Getty Images

Fran Drescher in a black sequined dress.

An insider claimed the lighting at this year’s event was “Like being shot in extremely high-def.” Above, Fran Drescher poses at the event. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

A light gray carpet — which was new for Sunday’s event — seemingly made matters worse.

“I genuinely feel bad for some of these women,” another guest complained. “One poor actress looked like a Diane Arbus character. She was on her phone looking at her pictures and shrieking at her publicist. I heard that she went home and cried herself to sleep. Nobody has heard from her since!”

The photos made their way to social media where TikTok trolls mercilessly mocked some poor celebs.