The 2018 Emmy Awards Red Carpet Ranked Best To Worst
Celebrities went all out for the 2018 Emmy Awards red carpet — technically, gold carpet. Before the biggest movie and TV stars gathered at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Calif. to honor the entertainment industry's top talent, they showed off their style prowess, debuting glamorous looks to the press assembled outside the high-profile event.
It was clear that certain looks were trending among the A-listers. For instance, clean white gowns were big at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards. Pops of neon — particularly in shades of yellow and pink — were also a popular choice for the famous folk at the big event. But despite some bold style moves, not everyone was a winner at the unofficial fashion competition. Who dominated Hollywood's runway ratings with their style before the show and whose ensembles completely missed the mark? Keep reading to find out the best and worst dressed celebrities of the night.
Jessica Biel
TV star Jessica Biel, who was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a limited series or movie for her work in The Sinner, dropped jaws on the gold carpet. Biel donned a strapless white gown that was part of Ralph & Russo's fall/winter 2018 couture collection, reported Entertainment Tonight, and completed her look with a matching geometric clutch and diamond-adorned jewelry by Harry Winston. The dress featured half-moon details all over — from its semi-sheer bodice to its train — and made the former 7th Heaven actress look like a gorgeous bride, though she's no newlywed!
Biel will celebrate six years of marriage with her husband, singer Justin Timberlake, in October 2018. In fact, Biel told E! News they "always use these [big events] as a date night" (via People). Man, we wish we could look half as good as Biel does on all of our date nights! Excuse us... making a note to try out her loose waves and berry lip for our next night out.
Kristen Bell
Actress Kristen Bell also went for an all-white look at the 2018 Emmys. Instead of looking like a bride, her sleek ensemble made her look sophisticated and sexy. Bell wore a body-hugging gown by Solace London with a square neckline, which the Frozen star highlighted by pulling her blonde locks up into a sleek bun (via PopSugar). As for accessories, Bell kept things simple, wearing diamond earrings and a coordinating diamond ring by Forevermark as well as Giuseppe Zanotti heels, reported Just Jared.
Perhaps the best part of the Good Place star's whole ensemble is the fact that it's totally affordable — well, at least compared to most Hollywood red carpet looks. The dress, called the Lolita Gown, is available for sale for $530. Bell deserves an award for spotlighting a show-stopping dress that many of her fans can at least aspire to save up for!
Issa Rae
Insecure star Issa Rae showed up at the 2018 Emmy Awards ready to dazzle both critics and fans alike. Rather than wear a gown on the gold carpet, Rae donned an icy blue jumpsuit with a long, flowing train. "Vera Wang hooked me up," Rae said, telling E!'s Giuliana Rancic that the Vera Wang design featured "3,000 crystals" on its gorgeous, low-cut bodice. The Emmy-nominated actress let her jumpsuit take center stage by wearing simple accessories, including a rhinestone watch and crystal drop earrings.
Rae's ensemble featured a budget-friendly aspect. Though her designer duds were likely super expensive, the actress used beauty products that are widely available for an affordable price at drugstores across America. According to Hello Giggles, Rae mostly used CoverGirl products, including a $6 lipstick and $10 eyeshadow palette. That's not surprising, considering Rae starred in CoverGirl's "I Am What I Make Up" campaign, though her reason for using CoverGirl doesn't really matter to us — we're just happy we'll be able to recreate her look for ourselves.
Regina King
Regina King, who starred in the crime drama Seven Seconds on Netflix, made a bold move at the 2018 Emmy Awards by strutting her stuff in a neon yellow-green number designed by Christian Siriano (via USA Today). King's strapless gown, which featured a rounded neckline, cinched the actress' waist and hugged her curves in all the right places. While not everyone can pull off such a show-stopping hue, King totally rocked it. She wisely chose to forego any flashy accessories, wearing a ring and thin, shoulder-grazing earrings with her hair pulled back in an updo.
King's key to looking amazing at major entertainment industry events? Perhaps it's her commitment to only wearing what she truly feels good in. "I don't remember a day where I didn't own a pair of Vans or Chucks," the actress said (via Variety). "I just try to wear what I feel comfortable in." While King may not have been quite as relaxed in her designer gown as she would be in sneakers, she definitely looked confident in her Emmy ensemble.
Tiffany Haddish
Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish certainly didn't shy away from color at the 2018 Emmys. The Night School star twirled for photographers in a rainbow dress. While the gown's in-your-face color scheme would simply be too much for most stars, Haddish somehow managed to make the eye-catching dress work. She let her custom Prabal Gurung-designed look steal the spotlight by gathering her hair into a sleek low ponytail and wearing black pumps (via PopSugar).
Of course, Haddish's dress also gets points for the sweet meaning behind it. On the red carpet, she told E! News that she had asked Prabal Gurung to "make a dress that represents my father's land." Haddish's dad was from the East African country Eritrea, whose flag's colors are red, green, blue, and yellow. Haddish's father passed away in 2017, so her gown was a way of not only honoring where she came from but also her dad's influence. Dang, Haddish — you're supposed to make us laugh, not cry!
Alexis Bledel
The Handmaid's Tale star Alexis Bledel walked the Emmys gold carpet with her husband, Mad Men's Vincent Kartheiser. While Bledel looked beautiful as always, her ensemble was less than wow-worthy. The former Gilmore Girls actress donned a strapless, light pink column gown designed by Delpozo that featured small fan-like embellishments on the bodice and a panel of bright yellow fabric in the center of the gown's skirt (via Just Jared). Her accessories for the night — a pair of Alexandre Birman shoes, a Judith Leiber-designed clutch, and jewelry by Harry Winston — did little to elevate her look, though her hair and makeup were elegant.
We appreciate that Bledel chose a colorful look — and millennial pink at that! — but the gown just didn't pack much of a punch, and it even made her look a little washed out. Maybe next year Bledel can try blue instead to really let those gorgeous eyes of hers stand out!
Chris Sullivan
This Is Us actor Chris Sullivan, who plays Toby Damon on the hit NBC drama, isn't one to dress simply at an awards show. In fact, he's well known for his quirky sense of style. Ehile we certainly respect Sullivan for making daring fashion choices, we were not on board with his red carpet ensemble at the 2018 Emmy Awards.
Sullivan wore a brown suit with a bold print that appeared to feature peacocks and a swirly design. He paired this with a black shirt, a red tie, and, for some reason, a gold seahorse brooch on his lapel (via Just Jared). He also wore a pair of round sunglasses, a big pinky ring, and a multi-chained bracelet — not to mention gold polish on his fingernails. So, clearly there was a lot going on with his look. Our advice to Sullivan for next year? Stick to one bold piece at a time! We like playful red carpet ensembles, but sometimes less is more.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross, we love you, but, unfortunately, we didn't love your 2018 Emmys look. The Black-ish star wore a bright pink gown to the big Hollywood event, and, well, there was a lot of it. The Valentino ball gown featured huge, puffy sleeves and an enormous skirt (via PopSugar). Honestly, there was so much fabric that we're a little surprised Ross was even able to walk the red carpet. Who knows how she managed to sit comfortably for the awards show!
While the dress was a bit much — okay, a lot much — Ross managed to still look gorgeous. Wearing her hair in a tight, high bun, the actress showed off her neck and shoulders, which was a good look for her. Next time, perhaps Ross can tone down her overall look via a simpler dress, or at least a lighter one — that fuschia gown looked heavy!
Tina Lifford
Oh, Tina. What was the Queen Sugar actress thinking? If it was that she wanted to leave her mark on some worst dressed lists, then, well, she succeeded. While the star herself looked beautiful, her outfit was, simply put, a hot mess. There were just too many components to it! The one-sleeved gown was designed by Esé Azénabor Atelier and featured a mish-mash of prints and colors. The ensemble also boasted a high slit, a leather belt, and a bulky train. Lifford didn't help matters by wearing black thigh-high leather boots. Yikes!
However, the actress appeared to feel confident in her 2018 Emmy Awards look, and really, isn't that what's really important? While we'd rather see her wear a more subdued gown — and maybe stick to just one pattern per dress — we're glad to see her feeling herself. Whether you love or hate this dress, there's no denying Lifford's hair and makeup were on point.