Flashback: George Clooney's boycott call against luxury hotels linked to Brunei's controversial laws

In the ever-turning wheel of celebrity news and stands on global issues, few moments stand out as starkly as that of 2019, when Hollywood's own George Clooney took a strong stand against luxury hotels with connections to Brunei, due to the nation's decision to impose death by stoning for gay sex and adultery.

The roots of the Clooney-led boycott
Back in the day, Clooney's voice reverberated loud and clear. He urged the global public to join him in boycotting hotels operated by the Dorchester Collection luxury chain, including the iconic Dorchester on Park Lane in London. Why? The chain is owned by the Brunei Investment Agency. "Every single time we... dine at any of these nine hotels we are putting money directly into the pockets of men who choose to stone and whip to death their own citizens for being gay or accused of adultery," Clooney emphatically highlighted.

Also Read: George Clooney and The Spy Game: A directorial dive into showtime's 'The Department' 

The aftermath of the stand and its impact
Though the intent was noble, Clooney acknowledged the fleeting nature of collective rage, noting that while the boycott of the chain’s Californian hotels had made an impact, such actions tend to wane as public attention shifts. Yet, he remained optimistic, firmly asserting that it's possible to "shame the banks, the financiers and the institutions that do business with [murderous regimes] and choose to look the other way."

At the time, the southeast Asian kingdom of Brunei was moving towards a more conservative form of Islam. Its sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, had described the implementation of the penal code as “a great achievement”, despite international outcry.

Looking back, Clooney's stand was a testament to the power of celebrity influence on global issues. His advocacy served as a reminder that there are battles bigger than the silver screen. In the wake of his call, prominent voices from the UK Foreign Office and other global bodies also voiced their concerns about Brunei's laws, proving that when united, voices can amplify change.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.

Also Read: George Clooney and The Spy Game: A directorial dive into showtime's 'The Department'