Laurent Amar: Back into the Light

After a spring marked by grief, the society columnist and jet-setter is rediscovering the momentum of new projects, meaningful encounters and prestigious events.

Crédit photo  portrait : Julie Muzard Photographe

A Familiar Figure in the Celebrity World

For nearly twenty years, Laurent Amar has observed the entertainment world from a privileged vantage point: close to the people who bring it to life. A lifestyle journalist, society columnist, show-business specialist and jet-setter, he knows the codes of prestigious parties, festivals and gatherings where artists, producers, media personalities and fashion figures mingle. Yet behind the lights, photographs and red carpets, he values one quality above all one that has become increasingly rare: loyalty.

His journey into this world truly began in 2006, when an invitation aboard a private yacht during the Cannes Film Festival opened the door to a scene that immediately fascinated him. He discovered the Croisette from a different perspective, through exclusive events and unexpected encounters. A few years later, that curiosity became a profession. He developed projects devoted to artists and celebrity news, before making Stars Média one of his main platforms for expression. Supported from 2011 onward, the online magazine has continued to reflect his perspective on entertainment, fashion and public figures.

Laurent Amar does not merely attend events. He builds relationships, follows people’s journeys and preserves friendships over the years. This closeness enables him to portray celebrities differently, beyond their public image. It also exposes him to the storms that sometimes accompany lives lived in the spotlight. The spring of 2026 brought the most painful example of all.

The Shock of Loana’s Passing

Laurent Amar et Loana, during their last meeting on 5 December 2025 in Antibes

The death of Loana Petrucciani, who became a household name through Loft Story in 2001, deeply shook Laurent Amar. The two had been friends since 2017. Their relationship went far beyond a handful of public appearances: he was one of the people closest to her and among the last to speak with her. When Loana was found dead in Nice on 25 March 2026, aged 48, Laurent lost far more than a public figure with whom he had shared moments in the spotlight. He lost a friend.

“Her death knocked me to the ground,” he says today. Behind those simple words lies the full force of the shock. His grief was compounded by controversy and tensions involving certain people around Loana. Laurent Amar does not wish to reignite those conflicts. He would rather speak about the road he has travelled to stand up again, the difficulty of resurfacing and the time he needed to regain his balance away from the noise.

His account is a reminder of an often-forgotten reality: when a public figure dies, the grief of those closest to them unfolds under public scrutiny. Every word can be commented upon, every memory debated and every silence interpreted. For someone who has spent so long in the media world, that exposure made nothing easier. He needed time, distance and the presence of his friends to find his footing again.

A Summer to Breathe and Rebuild

The summer of 2026 gave him that much-needed breathing space. Laurent Amar returned to Saint-Tropez, to familiar habits and to its distinctive atmosphere, where elegance can coexist with cheerful simplicity. On the Place des Lices, he took part in pétanque tournaments attended by several celebrities. Far from formal ceremonies, these games helped him rediscover the pleasure of spontaneous conversation, laughter and companionship.

He also spent time in Bormes-les-Mimosas, at the villa of a producer who had worked extensively with Loana. It was a place filled with memories, but also one that offered calm and respite. Another stay at the home of a friend who produces vodka completed this summer interlude. Such moments cannot erase grief, but they gave him renewed energy and the desire to move forward.

As every year, the highlight of his summer was the birthday celebration of his close friend Massimo Gargia. On 20 August, at the Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez, the party brought together several figures from artistic and society circles. Laurent met Orlando, Dalida’s brother, as well as Omar Harfouch, who came to greet Massimo before the evening began. The scene captured Laurent’s world perfectly: long-standing friendships, familiar faces and, behind the glamour of the occasion, the genuine pleasure of being together again.

Laurent Amar et Barbara Pravi  at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025

A New Season Shaped by Projects

As autumn approaches, Laurent Amar feels ready to resume his activities in full. Several projects are currently taking shape, although he is not yet revealing their nature, preferring to wait until they are confirmed. His discretion does not diminish his enthusiasm. “If they come together, I truly hope people will enjoy them,” he says, with a mixture of caution and anticipation.

His diary already includes several important engagements. On 11 September 2026, he will have the honour of hosting the Art Vision Awards ceremony in Cannes, at the Laurence Jenkell Gallery, 65 Boulevard de la Croisette. Created by his friend Gilles Zetbase, this international competition celebrates photographers and visual artists. For Laurent, the evening represents a natural meeting point between several worlds he knows well: creativity, imagery, personalities and the art of bringing an event to life.

His role will involve far more than announcing names. Hosting a ceremony means setting the pace, welcoming guests, giving artists their moment and conveying the emotion of the final results. His media experience and natural ease with people should give the evening a tone that is both elegant and warm. This collaboration with Art Vision Awards also opens a new chapter built around sharing experience and placing international talent in the spotlight.

On 1 October, Laurent Amar will travel to Paris for a charity evening at Salle Gaveau in aid of a major organisation. He will meet numerous figures from cultural, media and society circles. Once again, his presence

By the AVA Magazine editorial team