A heartwarming reunion at the Cannes Film Festival is making waves as a Kazakh journalist credits Hollywood star Emma Stone for a major turning point in his career — all thanks to one unforgettable moment last year.
Emma Stone, known for her roles in Poor Things and The Amazing Spider-Man, returned to Cannes this year to promote her upcoming film Eddington. While attending a press conference, she came face-to-face once again with the reporter who went viral in 2023 for affectionately addressing her by her real name, Emily.
This year, the journalist seized the opportunity to publicly thank Stone for what turned out to be a life-changing encounter.
“I’d like to thank you for quite literally changing my life. Just a year ago, we were at the very same press room, where I addressed you by your real name, Emily,” he told the actress during the event.
Clearly touched, Stone responded with a warm smile, “Yes, very good to see you.”
The journalist went on to express how the sweet interaction and Stone’s gracious reaction had a profound impact, not only elevating his professional trajectory in Kazakhstan but also gaining him recognition in Western media.
He praised her for her “warm and kind” response, telling Stone that her genuine reaction “skyrocketed his career and personal life.”
Stone replied modestly, “That was incredibly sweet, and I’m so happy that a name could do that,” before turning the conversation back to her new film.
Last year’s viral moment happened when the same reporter addressed her as “Emily” during a press junket. The actress, visibly delighted, had turned to director Yorgos Lanthimos and exclaimed, “That’s my name!”
The wholesome moment resonated with fans worldwide, and it clearly had ripple effects far beyond what anyone could have imagined.
This year, Stone was joined at Cannes by her Eddington co-stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Austin Butler. The ensemble, along with director Ari Aster, spoke about their upcoming thriller, which is set during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, against a backdrop of rising civil unrest in the United States.
Eddington marks a dramatic shift in tone for Stone and her collaborators. The film is expected to be a gritty, emotionally charged exploration of fear, uncertainty, and resilience. It is scheduled for release on July 18, 2025.
But for one lucky journalist, the festival was about more than film—it was about gratitude, growth, and a powerful reminder of how a small act of kindness from a Hollywood star can ripple across the world.
And yes, it all started with, “That’s my name!”
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