Amanda Seyfried turns heads in Julia Roberts' outfit

VENICE:

Amanda Seyfried arrived at the Venice Film Festival this week not only with one of the festival's most daring films but also in one of its most talked-about outfits – one she openly borrowed from Julia Roberts.

For the premiere of her historical drama The Testament of Ann Lee, the 39-year-old Oscar nominee walked the red carpet in a tailored navy Versace jacket, striped shirt and straight-leg jeans, complete with a gold-buckled belt.

The look had already made an appearance just two days earlier, when Roberts, 57, wore it to debut her own film After the Hunt. Far from causing a fashion faux pas, Seyfried's decision to repeat a fellow star's outfit delighted fans.

The move was orchestrated in full view of the public after Seyfried spotted Roberts' look on Instagram, where their shared stylist Elizabeth Stewart had posted it. Seyfried cheekily commented: "Please let me wear the same outfit."

Roberts agreed, and Stewart later captioned photos of both stars in the Versace ensemble: "Sharing is caring!" The gesture, unusual in Hollywood's high-stakes fashion game, was hailed not just as a moment of humility but also of sustainability.

Seyfried herself thanked Roberts for her generosity, signalling that glamour can coexist with practicality. Yet while her outfit sparked headlines, it was Seyfried's on-screen performance that dominated conversation in Venice.

In The Testament of Ann Lee, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Mona Fastvold, Seyfried portrays the English-born founder of the Shaker movement – a celibate Christian sect that migrated to America in the 18th century.

The role is a far cry from her sunny turn in the Mamma Mia! musicals. Ann Lee's story, marked by child labour, exile, spiritual ecstasy and uncompromising leadership, gave Seyfried one of the most complex characters of her career.

Fastvold said she chose Seyfried for her ability to capture both tenderness and ferocity. "She can access kindness, gentleness, and also this power and madness," the director said.

Seyfried admitted the role pushed her into uncharted territory, particularly during trance-like scenes inspired by Shaker rituals. "I've never been let loose in this way," she said. "The only threat is not using that freedom to your advantage as an artist."

Though she initially urged Fastvold to cast a British actress — wary of the accent — Seyfried ultimately embraced the challenge. The film, which weaves in original Shaker hymns and choreographed movement, has been described as a "Shaker musical," albeit an unconventional one.

The project nearly stalled due to its unusual premise. Co-writer Brady Corbet revealed it took years to secure the $10 million budget. Still, The Testament of Ann Lee made it into Venice's main competition lineup, vying for the Golden Lion on September 6.

For Seyfried, the festival has become a showcase not only of her risk-taking artistry but also of her unpretentious charm. By stepping onto the red carpet in Julia Roberts' borrowed Versace, she reminded the film world that confidence — much like good fashion — doesn't always need to be brand new.