Oscar-winner sparks backlash for climate post days after jetting to Bezos’s Venetian wedding party

Leonardo DiCaprio has come under fire once again for environmental “hypocrisy” after promoting a conservation victory just days after attending Jeff Bezos’s high-profile wedding bash in Venice.

The 50-year-old actor posted to Instagram on Monday to celebrate the protection of Chile’s Guafo Island, declaring it a vital win for biodiversity. He praised the private acquisition of the island, saying it would now be spared from coal mining and logging. “This island is critical to global biodiversity and the overall health of our planet,” DiCaprio wrote to his 60 million followers.

But the timing of the post — just hours after returning from the three-day Bezos-Sanchez wedding spectacle — ignited swift backlash.

Over the weekend, DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti were seen arriving by boat at the opulent Venetian affair hosted by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and media personality Lauren Sánchez. The multi-day celebration reportedly involved a luxury fleet, designer outfits, and celebrity guests flying in from around the world.

Critics were quick to call out the contradiction between DiCaprio’s private jet lifestyle and his public climate activism. “How does he not see the irony?” one user commented on Instagram. Another wrote: “Lecturing us on carbon while flying halfway across the world to party with billionaires. Classic Leo.”

On X (formerly Twitter), the reaction was even more brutal. “Leonardo DiCaprio flew to Venice for a billionaire’s wedding and then logged onto Instagram to talk about climate change. You can’t make this up,” one tweet read, racking up over 12,000 likes in under 24 hours.

Even conservative broadcaster Stephen Dixon weighed in during a segment on GB News, branding the actor’s behaviour “ridiculous” and “insulting to people who actually walk the walk when it comes to the environment.”

DiCaprio has long positioned himself as a leading celebrity voice on environmental issues. His Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has funded dozens of conservation and climate projects, and he has spoken at the UN and Davos on the need for urgent action. Yet his critics frequently cite his globe-trotting lifestyle and affinity for yachts and private aviation as undermining his message.

This latest backlash adds to a pattern of public scrutiny the actor has faced for his eco-advocacy. In 2016, he was mocked after flying 8,000 miles to accept an environmental award. In 2021, he drew fire for vacationing on a 450-foot yacht shortly after warning about melting ice caps.

Some fans, however, defended DiCaprio’s efforts. “He’s done more for conservation than 99% of people complaining,” wrote one supporter. “Yes, he travels, but that doesn’t erase his activism.”

Others saw it differently. “This isn’t about cancel culture. It’s about credibility. You can’t party with Bezos on Saturday and preach climate on Monday,” wrote one user.

The Bezos wedding itself — described by some as a “floating Met Gala” — took place aboard the $500 million megayacht Koru, with stops along the Grand Canal and a guest list that included everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Bill Gates. Environmentalists noted the irony of such decadence amid growing calls for global climate responsibility.

As social media debate continues to swirl, DiCaprio has remained silent beyond the original conservation post. His representatives have declined to comment on the backlash.

For now, the actor finds himself once again walking a tightrope between global advocacy and celebrity excess — a balancing act that’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify in the eyes of his critics.