The &34;Mad Max: Fury Road&34; star recited a quote from Nelson Mandela. Charlize Theron makes surprise appearance at Olympics to share emotional message about peace The &34;Mad Max: Fury Road&34; star recited a quote from Nelson Mandela. By Raechal Shewfelt :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RaechalShewfeltauthorphotoc49d3a3b6aa442f588f2bbc0de804e09.jpg) Raechal Shewfelt Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at . She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American Journalism Review and The Shreveport Times. EW's editorial guidelines February 6, 2026 6:31 p.m.

The "Mad Max: Fury Road" star recited a quote from Nelson Mandela.

Charlize Theron makes surprise appearance at Olympics to share emotional message about peace

The "Mad Max: Fury Road" star recited a quote from Nelson Mandela.

By Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.

EW's editorial guidelines

February 6, 2026 6:31 p.m. ET

Charlize Theron at the 2026 Olympics. Credit:

Alexander NEMENOV/AFP via Getty

The 2026 Winter Olympics kicked off with some serious star power.

Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron took the stage during Friday's opening ceremony to deliver a message of peace from the late leader and activist Nelson Mandela, who hailed from her home country of South Africa.

"Peace is not just the absence of conflict," Theron quoted Mandela as having said. "Peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Wearing a floor-length black gown, the *Mad Max: Fury Road* star said that "today, this message seems more relevant than ever."

Adressing "athletes, spectators from every corner of the world," Theron told the crowd at Milano San Siro Stadium and the millions watching at home that she hoped the international event would help all people come together.

"Let these Games be more than just sport," Theron said. "Let them be a reminder of our common humanity, our respect for one another, and a resounding call for peace everywhere."**

Charlize Theron blasts studios for not taking risks on female-led action films

Charlize Theron raves about 'amazing' one-night stand with 26-year-old

In addition to her international fame, Theron serves as a messenger of peace for the United Nations, where her work focuses on the prevention of HIV and the elimination of violence against women.

She also has a personal connection to this year's host city, according to the Olympics website, which notes that Theron and her mother lived in Milano for a year while she was a 17-year-old working as a model. They then moved to the United States.

Soon she had moved on to movies such as *The Devil's Advocate*, *Mighty Joe Young*, *The Cider House Rules*, and *The Italian Job*, which filmed in the country.

Charlize Theron speaks during the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

WANG Zhao/AFP via Getty

Theron was far from the only celebrity spotted at the event.

Pop diva Mariah Carey performed the iconic song "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)," as well as her own track "Nothing Is Impossible."

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli also took the microphone, and *The White Lotus* star Sabrina Impacciatore showed up in a piece about the history of the competition.

Model Vittoria Ceretti, who's also the girlfriend of Leonardo DiCaprio, presented her country's flag as well.**

- Entertainment Lifestyle

- Sports Events

- Olympic Games

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Olympic"

Read More

---

Source: Olympic

Published: February 09, 2026 at 11:00AM on Source: RED MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle