“Epstein Island” continues to spark controversy on social media Leonardo DiCaprio ignores the media storm after his name appeared in the case

At the same time as Leonardo DiCaprio’s name has been circulating again in connection with the controversial Epstein Island case in recent weeks, the global star chose to ignore the media frenzy surrounding him and made no comment, focusing instead on celebrating the notable success of his latest film on the international awards circuit.

Despite the controversy that has escalated in recent weeks after DiCaprio’s name appeared in the context of investigations related to the alleged abuse of minors on Epstein Island, his new film One Battle After Another has managed to make a strong impact during the 2026 awards season, after winning a prestigious prize at the Directors Guild of America Awards—an achievement that strengthens his artistic standing and shifts attention away from the circulating rumors.

In detail, director Paul Thomas Anderson won the Best Director award for the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio at the 78th annual Directors Guild of America Awards (DGA Awards). The award is considered one of the most important indicators in the Oscar race, given its strong record in predicting the eventual winner of the Academy Award for Best Director, giving Anderson a significant boost during the 2026 awards season.

Tribute to the late Adam Sumner

After receiving the award, Paul Thomas Anderson delivered an emotional tribute to late assistant director Adam Sumner, who passed away in 2024, praising his pivotal role in the making of the film and stressing that his creative imprint remains present throughout the project.

The ceremony also featured prominent appearances by several Hollywood stars. Leonardo DiCaprio presented the award medal to Paul Thomas Anderson, while Michael B. Jordan presented Ryan Coogler’s medal for Sinners. Timothée Chalamet took part in honoring Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, and Steven Spielberg presented Chloé Zhao’s medal for Hamnet.

The Epstein case continues to dominate global public opinion

Meanwhile, the case of the late American businessman Jeffrey Epstein continues to capture global attention, after the U.S. Department of Justice announced the release of more than three million files related to the criminal investigations into the case.

One of the emails sent by Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador and member of parliament, to Epstein on June 12, 2009, asked about opportunities for product sponsorship involving famous figures outside the United States, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s name appeared in the context of that message.

In response, a spokesperson for DiCaprio told media outlets that the global star had not made any phone calls with Epstein and was not involved in any activity connected to the released files.