On the evening of May 10, 2025, the Hammer Museum’s 20th Annual Gala in the Garden promised to be a glittering affair, drawing Los Angeles’ elite to celebrate art, philanthropy, and culture. Among the attendees was Alexandra Hedison, the acclaimed photographer, director, and wife of Hollywood icon Jodie Foster. Known for her fine art photography and her low-key presence in the entertainment world, Hedison arrived at the event with a quiet confidence, eager to support the museum’s mission. However, what began as a night of celebration quickly turned sour when Hedison faced an unexpected humiliation—a moment that threatened to overshadow her contributions until Foster arrived, declaring, “She comes with me!” The incident, which unfolded in front of a star-studded crowd, has since become a testament to the couple’s unshakable bond and Foster’s fierce loyalty.
Hedison, 55, has long been a respected figure in the art world. Born in Los Angeles on July 10, 1969, to actor David Hedison and production associate Bridget Mori, she grew up surrounded by the entertainment industry but carved her own path as a fine art photographer. Her work, often exploring themes of memory, loss, and transition, has been exhibited globally, from the Rose Gallery in Los Angeles to the Mews 42 Gallery in London. Her series Ithaka, inspired by a C.P. Cavafy poem and shot in North America’s temperate rainforests, earned critical acclaim, featuring in The New Yorker’s 2008 Passport to the Arts. Beyond photography, Hedison has dabbled in acting—most notably as Dylan Moreland in The L Word—and directing, with her short film ALOK premiering at Sundance in 2024. Yet, despite her accomplishments, Hedison has always shied away from the spotlight, a trait she once described in a 2004 New York Times interview: “Actors need to be front and center all the time. That’s not me.”
This aversion to attention made her attendance at the Hammer Gala all the more significant. The event, held in the museum’s lush courtyard, was a fundraiser for arts education, a cause Hedison has supported for years. She and Foster had co-chaired the same gala in 2017, a night that showcased their shared commitment to the arts. For this year’s event, Hedison arrived alone initially, as Foster was delayed by a last-minute commitment tied to her promotional duties for an upcoming project. Dressed in a sleek, gold-and-black patterned dress with a black blazer, Hedison looked every bit the sophisticated artist, her understated elegance a nod to her preference for substance over flash. She mingled with guests, including artists Mark Bradford and Lisa Edelstein, who were also in attendance, and prepared to speak briefly about the importance of arts accessibility—a topic close to her heart.
But as the evening progressed, Hedison found herself at the center of an uncomfortable misunderstanding. According to eyewitnesses, a junior event organizer, unfamiliar with Hedison’s identity, approached her during the cocktail hour and questioned her presence at the VIP section of the gala. The organizer, mistaking her for an uninvited guest, asked to see her invitation in a tone that several attendees described as brusque. “It was mortifying,” one guest later shared on X. “Here’s this incredibly talented woman, who’s literally donated her own photography for the auction, being treated like she didn’t belong.” Hedison, caught off guard, attempted to explain her involvement, mentioning her history with the museum and her role as a contributor. But the organizer, perhaps flustered by the high-profile crowd, doubled down, insisting she step aside to “resolve the issue” with security—a public spectacle that left Hedison visibly shaken.
The moment could have derailed the evening for Hedison, who has always preferred to let her work speak for itself. Her discomfort with public scrutiny is well-documented; in her New York Times interview, she admitted that acting left her “miserable” despite supporting herself financially, precisely because of the constant need to be “front and center.” At the gala, as whispers spread among the crowd, Hedison faced a choice: retreat from the event or endure the humiliation. For a moment, it seemed she might choose the former, her expression a mix of embarrassment and frustration as she gathered her belongings to leave. But fate—and Jodie Foster—had other plans.
Just as Hedison reached the edge of the courtyard, Foster arrived, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the vicinity. The 62-year-old actress, fresh off her critically acclaimed role in True Detective: Night Country, was a vision in a tailored black gown, her trademark intensity softened by a warm smile as she spotted her wife. Foster, who has navigated Hollywood’s glare since childhood, immediately sensed the tension. Witnesses say she strode over to Hedison, took her hand, and turned to the event organizer with a steely gaze. “She comes with me,” Foster declared, her voice firm but calm, leaving no room for argument. The organizer, realizing the gravity of the mistake, stammered an apology, but Foster was already guiding Hedison back to the heart of the gala, her arm protectively around her wife’s waist.
The moment was a turning point, transforming a potential scandal into a powerful display of solidarity. Guests, including Jane Fonda and Jane Lynch, who were also at the event, erupted into quiet applause as the couple re-entered the main gathering. Foster’s words—“She comes with me”—echoed beyond the immediate confrontation, resonating as a statement of unwavering support. For Hedison, who has often stood in Foster’s shadow at public events, the gesture was a public affirmation of her place, not just as Foster’s partner but as an artist in her own right. “It was like something out of a movie,” one attendee posted on X. “Jodie didn’t just defend Alex—she made sure everyone knew they’re a team.”
The couple’s history lends credence to this narrative of mutual support. Foster and Hedison, who married in a private ceremony in April 2014 after dating for a year, have cultivated a relationship defined by privacy and mutual respect. They’ve made rare but meaningful public appearances together, often at events tied to the arts, such as the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, where Foster received an honorary Palme d’Or, and the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where Foster supported Hedison’s premiere of ALOK. Foster has spoken glowingly of Hedison’s influence, notably during her 2025 Golden Globe acceptance speech for True Detective: Night Country, where she called Hedison “the love of my life.” Hedison, in turn, has used her Instagram platform to celebrate Foster’s achievements, from her 2021 Golden Globe win for The Mauritanian to her birthday in November 2023, when Hedison wrote, “Loving you is easy as cake.”
The gala incident also highlights the unique dynamic of their partnership: Foster, the seasoned Hollywood veteran, often steps into the role of protector for Hedison, who prefers to operate behind the scenes. This dynamic was evident at Sundance in 2024, when Foster flew in from New York at 4 a.m. to attend Hedison’s ALOK premiere, despite being in the midst of her own press tour. “She’s just so incredibly supportive and so happy for me,” Hedison told People at the time, a sentiment that was palpable at the Hammer Gala. Foster’s arrival not only salvaged the evening but also allowed Hedison to deliver her speech on arts education, which she dedicated to “those who create in the shadows, often unseen but always essential.”
The Hammer Museum Gala, a fixture in Los Angeles’ cultural scene, has long been a space where art and philanthropy intersect. Past events have drawn luminaries like Keanu Reeves, Natalie Portman, and Steven Spielberg, often raising significant funds for the museum’s programs. The 2025 gala was no exception, with proceeds supporting youth art initiatives—a cause Hedison has championed through her own work. Her photography, which often explores the architecture of memory, was a fitting contribution to the auction, with one piece fetching a high bid that underscored her talent, even if the evening’s earlier drama had briefly overshadowed it.
For Foster and Hedison, the night ended on a high note. They were seen sharing a quiet moment at their table, Foster’s hand resting on Hedison’s as they laughed with fellow guests. The incident, while jarring, ultimately reinforced their partnership in the public eye, a rare glimpse into a relationship that thrives on mutual respect and quiet strength. As one X user put it, “Jodie and Alex at the Hammer Gala showed us what real love looks like—standing up for each other, no matter what.”
The gala may have started with a misstep, but it concluded with a powerful reminder of why Foster and Hedison are one of Hollywood’s most enduring couples. In a world that often demands visibility, they’ve carved out a space where their love—and their art—can speak for itself. For Hedison, the night was a victory, not just over a moment of humiliation, but as a celebration of her resilience, bolstered by the woman who proudly declared, “She comes with me.”
